2002-2006 Phnom Penh

[Luke Skywalker]

World Traveler,
(and anyone else)
This report on my trip to Phnom Pehn is a little late I guess since from what I have read here K-11 is closed......But it'll open again I'm sure...after all the Police need their extra money, and it seems that they are just making token arrests to please other countries.

I visited K-11 in late August and besides the last day all was normal. On the last day I was there (aug 27) Most of the brothels were closed and even bolted shut in some cases...still I went into no. 12 and had a quickie for 5$. The rumour was that the Police were about that day (plain clothed of course) and looking to catch someone. The Papa san at no. 15 actually told me that the Police finish at 6 and that after that everything was fine.....and it seemed to be business as usual right on 6. The pink lights came on and the doors opened (of course I mean they opened 10cm as usual).

Anyway if you do go when it re-opens, I definately recommend no.15. It was the cleanest (as far as the word clean can be taken) and they had a shower in the room which I liked. At no.10 and others its communal bathing from a pool of dodgy water. Still I must say that I washed with three girls at no.10 and that was nice......No.12 has the same bath set up as 10, but its in your room so to speak.

The girls were young in all the brothels and there was very little grass on the wicket, if you know what I mean....if you don't then think VW beetle bonnet.......All vietnamese of course and all well skilled and no problems at all......Every house had its share of lookers, and over-age girls were of course as available as under. One bad thing was Papa-san at no.12 tried to rip me off......but I just told him the price I was going to pay and then he backed down with little fuss.....

The going rate is 3~5 $US but some Japanese guys I met there were paying 2.50 $US....so it's really up to you and if business is slow you can easily bargain......(I guess) I just paid $5 each time.

I also visited Sharkys, the Walkabout and Martini's each night and I must say the selection of girls at sharky's was very dissappointing......(food was good though) Martini's on the other hand was teaming with women of all ages, some offering themselves for free!!!....(with heads like a bucket of smashed crabs though}.......but there were plenty of lookers there as well, and the atmosphere was alot sluttier.........The walkabout was dead both times I went there, so I can't really say too much about it.....If K-11 is closed I would imagine all the girls are in these bars.....

I am hopefull, like everyone else, that the closing is just temporary and that K-11 will soon re-open and those thousands of guys who haven't been yet will get their chance........and I'll get mine to return!

I don't live in Cambodia so for those of you who do let us all know whats going on from time to time...it would be greatly appreciated by all.......

Luke

[ZX10]

Any other brothel areas?? Khmer or viet,, in ANY of the cities? Anyone have info on Mondalkiri??

[Surfer]

While I left a month ago, when it was still open, I DO have it on reliable facts that it IS mostly closed. All houses are shuttered but some will let you inside if they see no police around. Warning notices posted that ANYONE caught in houses will be arrested. NOT a good time to go. For the most updated info, THE web source for information on the hobby in Cambodia (and Vietnam, my next destination) is www.penhball.com. Good luck if you go, but IMHO now is NOT the time.

[ZX10]

Will be in PP in a few weeks,, is svay pack really closed? can any one else confirm or has looked in cambodian daily or other pp news papers??

They have talked of closing tual kork for years i would bet its still open ,, if it is why would svay pac close??

also i have meet many 15yo in bars in town, so that couldnt be the issue,, and 15 is the legal age in cambodia and many khmer guys i have met prefer 14 or younger so...???

any info on cheap !!! rooms? 8$? (im poo ( cant afford the r))


what about out lying provinces ,villages around PP or Siem reape any info?? I prefer khmer any khmer places other than barang bars??

what str has the brothels is that 63?

how about security in places that cost 5 -10 $ a night? I will have a laptop,,

will any one be in PP in 3 wks? I ran into a few guys from the sight last year and they were good company

What about cock fights or other interesting stuff ( not regular tourist stuff like death museam, and shooting range, ,, been there done that)



see ya on the other side of the bar

Zzzz

[Philo]

thanks to carlos3 for a quick and informed response....

i have now read all messages here.. a lot of good info. that goes for penhball too (excellent hotel list).

however, a qick surf on google concerning hiv/aids returned un/cambodian official reports on up to 38% infection rate amongst sex-workers (overall rate in the pop. 4%). rubberless is suicide?

and ..
using keywords minor / age of consent returned articles about an american and a briton who were convicted and jailed (the amrican was with a girl aged15). is it a bad idea to have confirmed that the girl is 18+ ?

the philosopher

[Carlos3]

"advice on living in cambodia"

Philo that is quite a vague question.

"where do i meet other europeans (and expats in general)?"

There are Europeons to be found at many of the pubs/bars mentioned in the Lonely Planet Guide and along the riverfront, most being touristy backpackers on holiday. But it is the Aussies/Kiwis, British, Americans and some French that make up bulk of the expat community from what I have seen. They're in places like Martini's, Sharky's and the Walkabout Hotel. The French I am not sure of since they they seem to keep to themselves.

"i need a woman (that meens one; no plurality of hookers please)"

Well if you mean you are looking for sexual companionship, but do not seek a working girl, outside of expats (good luck) there is little chance. Local Khmers are very conservative and quite often expect a long courtship and marriage before sex. This is NOT Latin America (or even Thailand), where it is a very different game.

[MondaysChilde]

i never saw k11, but let's face it, ****philia is rife in se asia and if a country can't manage its own morality, someone else will take it upon themselves to do so.

i think the ngo's trying to convince prostitutes to give up the life and become hotel maids for $1.00 a day is a bit absurd, but the **** thing just stank too much.

[Philo]

hi...
i would like to know if any of you have any advice on living in cambodia. i am going there for two months to finish an academic article, and i need a woman (that meens one; no plurality of hookers please) for company and practical things ....... where do i meet other europeans (and expats in general)? all advice, concerning any cambodian city or place relevant, will be received with gratitude.... merci

[World Traveler]

Some places may go down but the girls won¡¯t. They will re-surface somewhere else. They have to ... because that is their job. That means it would take some networking or tips to bellboys or such to keep up-to-date about new, relocated sites. The economic packages that the outside world is offering will never reach the hotel receptionist, the bellboy, the girls, or anyone else you will see around. Many locals will stay dependent on the money that (male) foreigners bring into the country at least for a while. That also tells me that guys need to be more discreet with locals when they are asking for girls.

Mr. Luke Sir:

Did you get a chance to spend any time in Phnom Phen on your way back? Was there anything to post?

[Erik]

i have been reading quite a few news about ****philia in k11 recently in the press, and that might be what killed k11. the cambodian government cannot resist the pressure of the ong, which are the supplier of the economic aid. i bet k11 will reopen in a few weeks or months once the tension has eased.

[ColdC]

What's the latest news out of Cambo? Reports of K11 being closed etc... I was there last Dec and there were similar reports then but when I arrived everything was wide open. Possibly there again this December. Anyone have any recent, detailed info?
Thanx!

[Marco Pole]

Very sad news indeed. I'm heading out there next month for the first time and was looking forward to checking out the infamous SP.

Surfer, you mention that there are some other places in PP that offer a **somewhat** similar setup. Do you have any suggestions based on your last trip? Major bummer...

Thanks
MP

[Surfer]

Bad News Boys, K11 (AKA Svay Pak) has been closed by authorities, supposedly for good (but EVERYTHING changes in Cambodia). There are some new places in PP proper but nothing to replace K11. For THE source for info on Cambodia & Vietnam check out www.penhball.com (10 day free trial membership) .

The cafe that opened between houses 12 & 14, run by a very nice lady named Op, has closed (sadly). Now is NOT the time for a trip to PP in my opinion. I was there in August and it was already tense in adsvance of the upcomingt ASEAN meeting, pressure from feminists in Western countries, and elections . . .

[Erik]

Last time I went to SP, there was a kind of bar in construction around house 13. Is it open now ? How is it ? Do they have girls and rooms ?

[Carlos3]

johan007

The Walkabout Hotel/Pub is exactly what you aquantance said it was. Glen is the Austarlian owner and is a very nice guy. The place is always well appointed with freelance lovelies looking for work (approx. $10ST-$20LT). And due to the fact that the pub is open 24/7 there is alway something happening "after hours".


MondaysChilde

The beach in S'ville is lame. The only thing I can say positive about S'ville is the prices (especially for girls) and there are alot of nice guys in the expat community.

Snatch theif robberies (knocking you off your MOVING bike) are a problem between the harbor and the center of town at night if you are on a moto. I myself was attacked and it has been verified by others that this is common :-(

There is a short video of the beach at the bottom of this page :
http://www.eeats.org/Eeats-Travel_Videos-1.html