Sihanoukville

[AskeAske]

Hi Aske,

Thanks for the info. I was in snook 3 weeks ago. I've always wanted to go Kap and Kampot. Now you gave me strong reasons to go.

I just wonder have any members here ever rent a bike from Sihanok and rode it to Kampot or Kap and what are the things and dangers I need to be prepared if I ride solo.

Thanks.

I have done that trip many times. No problem at all, if the motobike is ok. Remember to take a copy of your pasport with you, if you leave it to the rental company.

I look forward to your report from Kampot.

[SacredMan]

First real girlie bar in Kampot: https://www.facebook.com/Sweet-Palle...0819879876486/.

Opened 3 days ago. Is any members in Kampot, then please check up. I first come to Kampot in June. Maybe the police close the bar before.

Hi Aske,

Thanks for the info. I was in snook 3 weeks ago. I've always wanted to go Kap and Kampot. Now you gave me strong reasons to go.

I just wonder have any members here ever rent a bike from Sihanok and rode it to Kampot or Kap and what are the things and dangers I need to be prepared if I ride solo.

Thanks.

[AskeAske]

As for girlie bars in Kampot, it seems like the powers that be there want to keep the sleazy side of things well under cover. The type of place described above is probably the furthest one could go without attracting unwelcome attention from the boys in blue.

SE.

First real girlie bar in Kampot: https://www.facebook.com/Sweet-Palle...0819879876486/.

Opened 3 days ago. Is any members in Kampot, then please check up. I first come to Kampot in June. Maybe the police close the bar before.

[SouthEaster]

It has not closed but has been sold on. I think they have about another 2 months. Shipwreck has not moved to Kampot and it is not a girlie bar in the sense that we think of. Most (probably all) bars in Pub Street have a few staff for chatting up or playing pool but the girls don't go so no barfines, just overpriced LDs. Why the fuck you would pay a girl 5 bucks to play pool or talk only, I don't know, but some guys do. As you might expect if you go this route you can probably make private arrangements with some girls at some bars but they are most likely going to ask for stupid money. Even 7 or 8 years back most girls who worked these places were asking twice the going rate. It is probably the same now!

As for girlie bars in Kampot, it seems like the powers that be there want to keep the sleazy side of things well under cover. The type of place described above is probably the furthest one could go without attracting unwelcome attention from the boys in blue.

SE.

[Travv]

This company provides aircraft and paramedics to evacuate emergency cases back home but it costs about $400 per year for insurance. Maybe worth it to someone if they get hit with a stroke or bad accident if you don't want the local doctors cutting you up and prefer American doctors. https://medjetassist.com/membership-options.

Hi SouthEaster or members.

Is ochheauteal beach still under renovation. Are the seafood stalls still there. Thanks.

Just sharing an incident which happened a year ago.

A group of us, 8 persons, went Sihanouk and we stayed in Bao Mai casino resort. So each of us got a very nice big room with a balcony facing the swimming pool. We got the rooms free because each of us exchanged usd400 into casino chips to gamble. This hotel is just 1 minute away to ochheauteal beach.

In one of the days, at around 10 pm inside the casino, my friend got a bad stroke. So the hotel staff rushed him to the nearest medical centre. At the medical centre, then we realised that there were no hospital or doctors in Sihanouk..

[AskeAske]

A friend told me that Pub Street in Sihanoukville close down now. The land is sold to a chinese company. He also told me that Shipwreck Bar move to Kampot. I don't understand that. Girliebars have never been allowed in Kampot. Do that change now? Do any members have some information?

[SacredMan]

Snooky is now completely different and rapidly being ruined by the Chinese invasion..........

I wonder where else on earth can we have fun similar to sihanok of the past.

I thought Mongla, the border town between Yunnan and Myanmar, should be good. Last year the immigration in Tachilek, thai Burma border, don't allow me to go further then tachïlek citing war as the reason. I am thinking how about China Laos border or China north Vietnam border.

Any body any idea?

[Aussie Fella]

Hi,

I am pretty sure I will be going on side trip to Sihanoukville from XXX in late March. I have questions about accommodations there. There is not discussed on ISG, and what info I find on the internet is often outdated. I notice many businesses closed. The options on Agoda, Booking.com seem to be limited and not in the areas I would like to stay in.

I am interested in the Victory Hill area, because I like the description. Have you any recommendations for inexpensive rooms there? I have the impression that most places are girl friendly. If not Victory Hill where would you recommend? Is it stupid to show up in Sihanoukville and just look around for a room when you arrive?

I appreciate your opinion..

Snooky is now completely different and rapidly being ruined by the Chinese invasion. Many of the Ocheuteal beach bars (from the pier down to JJ's) have been torn down so there's no Rocky Plus or JJ's at night any more. The Square is still going but we don't know for how long. Utopia was torn down last week but Big Easy and Jack Daniels is still going.

There are still bars on Victory Hill (which is where I prefer to stay) and some good girls there but a number of the bars are now openly preferring Chinese customers as they pay the girls significantly higher amounts than barang. I stay at Mr Jack's Guesthouse but I'm not sure if they're accommodating barang any more as they get more money from Chinese using the rooms for short time with the girls they've picked up at the bars. Diver's Hotel is good and has affordable rooms but is often booked out. You'll struggle to find much else inexpensive accommodation up there. The last time I was there Mealy Chenda was being taken over by Chinese.

[AskeAske]

Hi,

I am pretty sure I will be going on side trip to Sihanoukville from XXX in late March. I have questions about accommodations there. There is not discussed on ISG, and what info I find on the internet is often outdated. I notice many businesses closed. The options on Agoda, Booking.com seem to be limited and not in the areas I would like to stay in.

I am interested in the Victory Hill area, because I like the description. Have you any recommendations for inexpensive rooms there? I have the impression that most places are girl friendly. If not Victory Hill where would you recommend? Is it stupid to show up in Sihanoukville and just look around for a room when you arrive?

I appreciate your opinion.

Regards Es.

Hi Es.

Your inbox is full. Thats why I answer you here.

Before I always stayed at Victory Hill. First in Sakal, later in BigJohns guesthouse. Both are closed now.

The last years have a stayed at a Kmer guesthouse close to Golden Lion. But that is also closed now.

Sihanoukville change a lot now.

Many of the cheaper guesthouses are closed now and rented out full to the chinese companys. Much better business for the owners.

I would probably stay in one of the cheap GBT guesthouses close to Golden Lion or close to the beach. Before GBT3 was a great place out to the pier and the beach. Close to the beach bars at Ochheuteal beach. Always posible to join a great party and find some FL-girls. I think that you still can do that.

Check the different areas. If you not are a big drinker, then rent a motobike. Easy to go around every where.

I don't go to offen to Sihanoukville now, but I come back for some days in May. I am a little exited to see how Sihanoukville is now.

I am sorry that I not can help you more. I hope you write a full report after your visit.

You can seach GBT3 on booking.com.

All places are girlfriendly.

Maybe other members can give more information.

Good luck.

[Fast Eddie 48]

Hi SouthEaster or members.

Is ochheauteal beach still under renovation. Are the seafood stalls still there. Thanks.

Just sharing an incident which happened a year ago.

A group of us, 8 persons, went Sihanouk and we stayed in Bao Mai casino resort. So each of us got a very nice big room with a balcony facing the swimming pool. We got the rooms free because each of us exchanged usd400 into casino chips to gamble. This hotel is just 1 minute away to ochheauteal beach.

In one of the days, at around 10 pm inside the casino, my friend got a bad stroke. So the hotel staff rushed him to the nearest medical centre. At the medical centre, then we realised that there were no hospital or doctors in Sihanouk. Fortunately there's an ambulance at this centre. However we need to pay usd400 (can't remember the exact amount) cash before they transport him to Phnom pPenh hospital near pp airport. Without cash they won't move. And so after paying, a medical staff and 2 of my friend followed the ambulance to Phnom Penh hospital. I know it will take about 3-4 hrs to reach pp hospital and I thought hes not going to make it as he was already unconscious..

To South East.

It is very important to purchase travel Insurance I travel a lot I purchase annually travel insurance it cost about 250 usd a yr cover all emergency medical from Insurmytrip in the US it even cover medical evacuation cost up to 250,000 you never know when you will need it.

Fast Eddie 48.

[SacredMan]

It is still in operation, one of the few venues remaining. I have never taken to the place as I cut my teeth on the chicken farm and blue mountain which means way cheaper and no ladies drinks. The girls ask stupid money ev......
SE.

Hi SouthEaster or members.

Is ochheauteal beach still under renovation. Are the seafood stalls still there. Thanks.

Just sharing an incident which happened a year ago.

A group of us, 8 persons, went Sihanouk and we stayed in Bao Mai casino resort. So each of us got a very nice big room with a balcony facing the swimming pool. We got the rooms free because each of us exchanged usd400 into casino chips to gamble. This hotel is just 1 minute away to ochheauteal beach.

In one of the days, at around 10 pm inside the casino, my friend got a bad stroke. So the hotel staff rushed him to the nearest medical centre. At the medical centre, then we realised that there were no hospital or doctors in Sihanouk. Fortunately there's an ambulance at this centre. However we need to pay usd400 (can't remember the exact amount) cash before they transport him to Phnom pPenh hospital near pp airport. Without cash they won't move. And so after paying, a medical staff and 2 of my friend followed the ambulance to Phnom Penh hospital. I know it will take about 3-4 hrs to reach pp hospital and I thought hes not going to make it as he was already unconscious.

Fortunately we came as a big group, so those remaining in Sihanouk tried to contact his family overseas. However none of us knows his family. Finally we managed to contact a friend overseas who knows his family. So finally his family were informed.

On reaching the hospital, that was already passed midnight, fortunately there was a Thailand neurosurgeon who stayed in the hospital. We were told later that he was the best neurosurgeon in Cambodia. After some examination, my friend needed to be operated immediately. But we need to pay usd8000 first before they commence operation. No money no operation. Wow. In such a bad state, we therefore rushed to contact his family overseas to remit the money to the hospital whilst the nurses and surgeon get themselves ready to push this patient to the operating theatre upon receiving the money. One can imagine the amount of time wasted for all these hush.

In short, they operated his head, its about 3 inches in diameter, it was a very successful operation. The next day, I and another friend took a cab from Sihanouk to PP hospital to visit him. He was in a daze. The next following day he woke up in a daze, in another day, he was OK, able to talk, his wife and son arrived and stayed in the hospital. He can't be discharge for fear of bubbles in his brain when taking flight.

He 100% fully recovered, no slur of speech etc. Total hospital bill in Phnom penh hospital approximately usd25 k. Its worth it because its 100% full recovery.

So its important to take up travel insurance when in Cambodia.

[SacredMan]

It is still in o...........
If you are a glutton for punishment go during CNY. It was always a nightmare before. Now wi.........
BTW if you haven't already booked accommodation, good luck.

SE.

Two yrs ago, I arr in Sihanouk a few days before Chinese new year and managed to get a room in holiday palace. However they have no rooms for Chinese new year. So with my motorcycle, I search the whole of Sihanouk, from ochheuteal beach to holiday palace to victory hill, to Queeco, to the whole stretch of Ekareach street and into all the small streets and main streets, kamakor streets etc, all guest house all fully booked. And just as I was about to give up, I decided to give a last try at Sokha resort, and bingo, I was v lucky to find one in Sokha resort reserved for gamblers. I exchanged cash for gambling chips to get a free room.

[SouthEaster]

It is still in operation, one of the few venues remaining. I have never taken to the place as I cut my teeth on the chicken farm and blue mountain which means way cheaper and no ladies drinks. The girls ask stupid money even if you live there and LDs are around 4 bucks. Sorry but I used to pay that for a shag!

If you are a glutton for punishment go during CNY. It was always a nightmare before. Now with thousands of Chinese about it will be a complete clusterfuck. I am leaving until it's over.

BTW if you haven't already booked accommodation, good luck.

SE.

[Stimulus89]

Victory hill is dead, same like this post.

Chicken farm is also half dead.

And KTV street is struggling to survive.

Prostitution is no more lucrative, they are alĺ struggling to survive in sihanoukville.

Survival here in Sihanoukville is so difficult that in all the beaches, there's hardly anyone seen fishing as a recreation.

What a pity.

I have never been to Snooky but have been a few times to the other favorite places in country. But I figured I might have a visit during the Chinese New Year. When I mentioned that to a friend who used to live in PP, he said something about the 'Chinese buying up everything'. First I'd heard of that, so I came here to RTFF, and now I must say there's more than just one tear in my beer!

SM, I was encouraged by your detailed post about pricing and service below, and, being rather choosy, I was intrigued by area #1) the Square. Mention of the Square scene is conspicuously absent from your report.

Can you or others with boots on the ground, verify that at least this area is still half-way thriving? Has the construction cramped this area in any meaningful way, especially for nighttime hobbying?

I would only be around for a couple of days, as I was hoping to catch some peace and quiet on the remote islands. There was even a post a year or so back, that suggested hiring a hostess for an island getaway.

GFE- perhaps there's a place- Utopia? Where the remnants of those other areas go to hear such offers?

That was my working plan anyway, as I was reading the last 3 pages of this thread- until the gloom of the top half of this page.

At any rate if this truly is the dying embers of a once thriving expat playground, any encouragement might still entice me to check it out next week! TIA for any feedback.

[SacredMan]

Victory hill is dead, same like this post.

Chicken farm is also half dead.

And KTV street is struggling to survive.

Prostitution is no more lucrative, they are alĺ struggling to survive in sihanoukville.

Survival here in Sihanoukville is so difficult that in all the beaches, there's hardly anyone seen fishing as a recreation.

What a pity.