CAMBODIA

Cambodia is a country in Southeast Asia. It borders Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. The area is approximately 69,800 square miles. The population is around 17 million people. Cambodia became a French colony in the 15th century and declared independence in 1953. The Cambodian genocide by the Khmer Rouge in the mid-1970s brought Cambodia into the international spotlight. To read more about the history of Cambodia, please click the link below. The capital city of Cambodia is Phnom Penh. I visited Siem Reap just toward the end of the COVID-19 restrictions. At that time, I only had a US passport, so I applied for a visa while I was in the US. I flew to Cambodia from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok but decided to see more of the country. Therefore, I took the bus back to Thailand. It was an adventure that began. At the border, the worker told me that I didn't have sufficient documents to enter Thailand. I had to complete a form, submit it, and get approval first. I didn't have access to a computer, and using my iPhone would have taken a long time. I asked a representative who reviewed my passport to do it for me, and I would pay him. He agreed and told me to wait. While working the line, he processed my paperwork, and it was approved within 30 to 45 minutes. I really thought I had everything completed before leaving the US, and I had read about border crossings between Thailand and Cambodia, so I never thought I would have any problems. In the end, I paid that worker 10 US dollars, which is not much but would have been a day's worth of work in that country. Other than that, I found Cambodia to be an interesting country, and I would love to visit it again. The people were welcoming, friendly, mild-mannered, and hard-working, but many are still poor and underdeveloped. At the markets and restaurants, workers were a little more assertive in trying to sell their merchandise and have you dined at their establishments. This is common practice in Southeast Asia. Remember not to purchase anything until you shop around and definitely try to bargain to get the best price. The trick is to negotiate a lower price and attempt to buy more than one item. The sellers are willing to reduce prices when you agree to purchase multiple items.

Cities worth visit in Cambodia

Phnom Penh
Siem Reap
Battambang
Sihanoukville
Kampot
Kep
Poipet
Kampong Cham

Siem Reap

Siem reap is the second largest province in Cambodia besides Phanom Pen. The population in 2025 is approximately 255,000 and the land mass is about 10,299 square kilometers. Approximately 50 percent of Siem Reap economy is depends on tourism, and the rest are from manufacturing, agriculture and real estate. According to the World Bank research, 45 percent of the population are living under poverty line and many of them are living in the rural areas. The average income in Cambodia is approximately $500 per month or 1,012,500 Riel, but for those living in the rural areas are making less than 75 cents per day.

I visited Siem Reap only a few months Cambodia opens its border and allowed flight from Bangkok into Siem Reap. At the time, there weren't many visitors, so it was easy to book a flight and hotel room relatively inexpensive. I was able to get a private guide, translator, and private Tuk-Tuk driver easily without booking many days ahead.

Things to Do in Siem Reap

Cambodia allowed vaccinated tourists into its country beginning November 15, 2021. I decided to visit Siem Reap, Cambodia, for the first time in June 2022, and I thought it was the best time because it was not as crowded as today. The only negative was that not many restaurants, shops, and businesses were open. It breaks my heart to see street vendors begging me to buy their T-shirts, merchandise, and grilled meat for a dollar or two. I support the merchants as much as I can packed them in my carry-on suitcase. Since then, I haven't returned to visit Siem Reap again. I look forward to spending more time in Siem Reap and other provinces in the future.