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Introduction to Cambodia: Emerging from a recent traumatic history, Cambodia is still one of the twenty poorest countries in the world.  The majority of children, families and communities in Cambodia’s population of 15 million people, live in desperate poverty and struggle to meet even the most basic needs of food and clean water without assistance.

Despite desperate poverty, the people of Cambodia are forging ahead to build an improved future for their families, their community and their country.

History: The Kingdom of Cambodia was part of the ancient kingdom of Funan. Being the oldest Indianised state in Southeast Asia, its religion was Hinduism. Today, Theravada Buddhism is the dominant religion. Cambodia lies at the heart of Indochina, bordered by Thailand to the west, Laos to the north and Vietnam to the east.  Cambodia occupies a land area of 181,035 square kilometers. Cambodia’s two dominant topographical features are the Mekong River and the Tonlé Sap (Great Lake).  There are three main mountain ranges - the Cardamon Mountains in the southwest, the Dangkrek Mountains in the north and the Eastern Mountains in the northeast.

People:  The population is currently estimated to be 15 million, of which 90-95 percent are ethnic Khmer, making Cambodia one of the most homogeneous people countries in Southeast Asia.  The rest of the population comprises minority groups of, Chinese, Vietnamese, Chams (Khmer Islam) and indigenous hill tribes (Khmer Loeu).  Infant mortality rates are the highest in the region at 125 per 1000 live births.  Due to poverty, poor sanitation and disease, it is estimated that nearly one child in five dies before the age of five.  Women account for 54 percent of the population.  Approximately 50 percent of the population is under the age of 19.

Language:  The official language of Cambodia is Khmer.  Some of the older generation speaks French but English is now more popular with the younger generation.  Written Khmer is based on the ancient Brahmi script of Southern India.

Arts and Culture:  Khmer architecture reached its zenith during the Angkorian era (the 9th to the 14th centuries). Angkor Wat Temples, Bayon, Taprom, Bantey Srey, Phras Khan ect. in Siem Reap.  Many of the finest works of Khmer sculpture are on display at the National Museum in Phnom Penh.  Other major attractions of the country are natural features, historical, archaeological and cultural features.  The historical features such as the Royal Palace, Wat Phnom, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Killing Fields, traditional markets, traditional music dance, drama, architecture, traditional crafts and contemporary arts are the main interest for visitors.

Religion:  The official religion of Cambodia is Theravada Buddhism (Hinayana), with approximately 90-95 percent of the population being Buddhist.  The remaining five to ten percent is mainly Muslim and Christian. Buddhism was introduced into Cambodia between the 13th and 14th centuries. You can visit most of buddish temples for free of charge, MY HOME could provide you those information if you wish.

Economy:  About 70 percent of the population work in agricultural labour.  For a long time rubber was Cambodia’s primary export.  This has been taken over in recent years by timber exports and garments.  Cambodia’s economic statistics are low by international standards, and they look worse when you consider that Cambodia’s principal sources of foreign exchange are unsustainable: foreign aid and timber sales.  Foreign aid has far and away been Cambodia’s chief money-source over recent years.  It accounts for most of the signs of affluence that the visitor sees in Phnom Penh.  Out in the countryside, however, Cambodia remains a very poor place where most people’s livelihoods are agriculturally based and reliant on the vagaries of the annual monsoon.  In recent years, Cambodia has seen an increase in the garment factories.  There are currently about 600 garment factories in and around the city of Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville, the port city.  About 200,000 young women are employed in the factories making clothes and shoes for an average wage of $45-50 per month. 

Education:  The Pol Pot regime of 1970s put a stop to educational development.  Many qualified teachers perished at this time, so that by 1979 Cambodia had only around 3,000 qualified secondary teachers left.  Through the 1980s and 1990s, the situation has gradually improved.  Adult literacy rates vary from 30 to 70 percent throughout the country.

Time:  Cambodia has one time zone and is seven hours ahead of GMT.

Climate:  The climate of Cambodia is governed by two seasons.  Cambodia has a tropical climate and although there are two monsoons, the temperatures do not vary greatly.

• December/January:        Daytime temperatures range from the 20's in the coolest months
• April/May:                         The hottest months of the year 32 – 40 degrees
• May/October:                    Rainy season (Humid and wet)

Electricity Supply:  The electric power supplying in Cambodia is 220 V

Health:  Care in what you eat and drink is advisable.  Tap water is not drinkable.  Take care to increase your fluid intake during your stay.  Mosquito repellent is handy for evening outings.  There is no malaria in Phnom Penh or surrounding provinces.  Vaccinations recommended for Cambodia are: Cholera, tetanus and diphtheria; typhoid; Hepatitis A; and Tuberculosis (should be administered six weeks before arrival).

Entry visa information:  All visitors to Cambodia can obtain a one-month tourist visa on arrival at either Phnom Penh or Siem Reap International Airport.  The cost is US$20.00 and requires one passport photo.  Please bring the passport photo with you.  Ensure your passport is valid for six months beyond the end date of your trip.

Arrival in Cambodia – Phnom Penh or Siem Reap International Airport:

• Upon arrival proceed to the visa counter.  Process the visa application yourself.  Do not hand your passport to a willing helper.  No payment is required at custom clearance, which is separate from the visa counter.
• The airport is seven km west of the centre of Phnom Penh and in Siem Reap is about 9 km, it would take you about 20mn - 30mn ride. The official airport taxi service costs US$7.00 to any destination in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap donwtown.

Eng Panharith, MY HOME, if you need any support.

Mobile Phone:  (855)-12 97 10 16/ (855)-17 601 909 

Airport Tax:  The departure tax for international travel is US$25.00 per person, and departure tax for domestic travel is US$6.00.

Greeting and Gestures:  The traditional greeting is to press one's hands together in a prayer-like gesture and bow.  The western practice of shaking hands has become more widespread, especially among men.  Women use the traditional greeting.  It is considered acceptable or perhaps excusable for foreigners to shake hands with Cambodians of both sexes.  It is considered culturally unacceptable to embrace a female companion in public.
Greetings & Civilities in Khmer: 
Hello                johm riab sua/sua s’dei
Goodbye          lia suhn hao-y
Yes                    baat (used by men) jaa (used by women)
No                      te
Please                sohm
Thank you       au kohn

Tipping:  Tipping isn’t obligatory but is widely practiced in hotels and restaurants in addition to the service charges shown on bills.

Do’s & Don’ts:  Some rules worth remembering while in Cambodia.

• Getting angry and showing it by shouting or becoming abusive is both impolite and a poor reflection on yourself.
• It is improper to pat children on the head.
• Never point your finger or the soles of your feet towards a person or a figure of the Buddha.
• If you would like someone to come over to you, motion with your whole hand held palm down.
• When picking your teeth with a toothpick after a meal, it is considered polite to hold the toothpick in one hand and to cover your open mouth with the other.
• Women may accept something from a buddish monk, but she should be careful not to touch him (or child-monk).
• Always remove your shoes before entering a Khmer home.

Dress:  Cambodians are naturally modest in dress.  They do not wear shorts or short skirts.  Visitors would be wise to wear comfortable and loose clothing, and bring a hat. Also, umbralla for raining season.

Food and Drinks:  In Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, you can find sample the best of Khmer cuisine.  You also have the choice of excellent Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, French and Mediterranean cooking. Rice is the principal staple and the Battambang region is the country’s rice bowl.  Drinking tap water is not safe.  Mineral water is available from hotels and roadside. All well-known soft drinks are available in Cambodia.

Worship Services:  There are multiple options for attending worship services on the weekends if you are Christian. Please contact the MY HOME, Mr. Eng Panharith  for those information. For nowday, you can join worship service at Angkor Paradise Hotel from 4.00 PM - 5.00 PM every Sunday.

Visiting the Angkor Temples:  While you are visiting Cambodia, MY HOME recommends you take the opportunity to schedule a visit to the temples of Angkor and other temples in Siem Reap, These temples are the greatest tourist attraction in Cambodia.  Also spend about some your time to visit real life of floating village and real life in communities, participate with our people in rice field, riding their ox-cart, and if possible stay overnight with them, but if you do so, please bring you mosquito net and spray with you too.  Beside this would be your optional choice, MY HOME recommend you to spend one or two days relax on White Sand Beach and diving in Sihanouk Ville or spending few night in Kep.

Public Holidays:  Cambodia calendar includes national and organizational holidays.  National holiday dates may vary slightly according to the Buddhist calendar.  The following is the  holiday listing for calendar years 2010:

• International New Year                                                            01 Jan 2011
• Victory Over Genocide Regime                                               07 Jan 2011 
• Khmer New Year                                                                     14, 15 & 16 Apr 2011
• Labour Day/Visaka Bochea day                                              01 May 2011
• King Sihamoni’s Birthday                                                        13- 15 May 2011
• King Morther Birthday                                                              18 Jun 2011
• Constitution Day                                                                      24 Sept 2011
• Pchum Ben Day                                                                       26,27,28 Sept 2011
• King Sihamoni Coronation Day                                                29 Oct 2011
• King’s Sihanouk Birthday                                                         31 Oct 2011
• Independence Day                                                                   09 Nov 2011
• Water Festival                                                                          09,10,11 Nov 2011
• Human Right Day                                                                     10 December 2011 

Security Advise

A few general precautions  will help you feel secure and enable you to enjoy your stay in Cambodia.

• Please DO NOT carry lots of jewellery or other valuable equipment with you, especially at night.
• Recommend to travel in pairs.  This is especially true once it is dark outside.  You should not walk alone at night, especially after 10.00 PM. 
• Use only registered tranportation service, or those recommended.
• Carrying credit or other bank cards in high risk area is not recommended.
• Be aware of pickpockets in crowded areas.  Many pickpockets work in pairs, and one may attempt to distract you as the other steals from you.  Pickpockets often work in pairs using distraction as their basic ploy. When you travel by bicycle, please do not put your value thing in its basket as it would be stolen easily. 
• Avoid large street crowds or gatherings if possible.
• Do not carry valuables or too much cash in your purse or handbag.  You may leave your passport and valuables with the hotel management, MY HOME provide you safety box service from 7.00 AM to 8.00 PM, please contact reception in advance if you need this service, we will responsible of any lost or damage of those thing if those are kept in our safety box.
• Make sure you know how to make international telephone call from the country you are visiting. Keep important local and emergency contact detail with you all the time ( eg: police, Hospital, Embassy...ect)
• Make sure you have Health Travel Insurance and other inportant insurance before you start your travel.
• A local practice is to shoot into the air when a fire has broken out or during heavy rain.  These shootings work as a warning for people to stay away and alert the fire brigade.  During heavy rains shooting in the air is thought to help stop the rain.  When guns are being fired, stay indoors and away from any area where the guns are being fired.
• Do not photograph Cambodian soldiers or police unless you have exceptional permission from them.
• MY HOME is not responsible for any theft of personal belongings, personal injuries or kidnappings.