General Info

[Qeast]

I understand that while the Cambodian Riel (KHR) is the national currency, the United States Dollar USD is widely accepted and generally preferred.

While I can order new bills from my bank, when I prepare for overseas travel, I stock up on USD denominations which are still crisp and not excessively worn--but clearly have seen some circulation. Sometimes when bills are too clean, there is a fear of counterfeit.

I hope to visit. Someday.

Do they prefer new or newer bills.

[Qeast]

I understand that while the Cambodian Riel (KHR) is the national currency, the United States Dollar USD is widely accepted and generally preferred.

While I can order new bills from my bank, when I prepare for overseas travel, I stock up on USD denominations which are still crisp and not excessively worn--but clearly have seen some circulation. Sometimes when bills are too clean, there is a fear of counterfeit.

I hope to visit. Someday.

[Red Kilt]

Virtually every decent place to live has free WiFi.

I use CellCard on my Camboia phone, but don't use their data as its cheaper for me to roam out of Thailand on AIS. But on Cellcard. You get like 20 g of data per month for $10. There is good coverage.

I have Celcard on my phone and it is very efficient. The number lasts beyond a year. The load expires within 2 months but I carry a $5 reload that I put into the phone when I am waiting for my bags after arrival.

As BB says. There is a kiosk for Celcard at the airport but I suggest that you go to the big modern store along Sihanouk Blvd (corner St 55) near the Independence Monument and they will take you through all the different SIM options.

Very helpful English speakers. Very cheap too, and easy to re-load as needed.

[Banana Boi]

Right outside the PP airport there is a kiosk that sells SIM cards. Located in the same area you get food. Take your pick. Metfone is popular. If you're worried one may have bad service or service drops buy more than one SIM card. It's like 5 or 10 USD for a week or more. If you forget to pick up a SIM card at the airport they sell Metfone everywhere around PP. Just look for their sign on a shop.

[Nyezhov]

For new arrivals, what are the most reliable internet options, especially if one will not be in PP? Mobile 4G? Which provider? Thanks.

Virtually every decent place to live has free WiFi.

I use CellCard on my Camboia phone, but don't use their data as its cheaper for me to roam out of Thailand on AIS. But on Cellcard. You get like 20 g of data per month for $10. There is good coverage.

[Sam Sanuk]

For new arrivals, what are the most reliable internet options, especially if one will not be in PP? Mobile 4G? Which provider? Thanks.

I reached out to a couple of friends. This is what they told me:

I asked a good Khmer friend in Phnom Penh for his opinion. He has family in Sisophone and Siem Reap. He said that they use Mobitel. He said that it is not "perfect". However, I communicate daily with them via a messenger service and have very rarely had a problem. My friend said that the best (but more expensive) service is EZCOM (https://www.ezecom.com.kh/). According to EZCOM's website, it has English speaking customer service / technical assistance reps at dedicated phone numbers in Phnom Penh.

I asked a farang friend who has a biz in Phnom Penh. He said, "At home my apartment complex has Metphone- good but once in awhile it's down, at work we have Metphone fiber and really good and reliable, at office #2 EZCom, probably most expensive, the best, but it runs a server and many computers."

I don't know if they are 4G.

SS.

[Intransit]

For new arrivals, what are the most reliable internet options, especially if one will not be in PP? Mobile 4G? Which provider? Thanks.

[Sam Sanuk]

This video seems to have been produced by the Kingdom of Cambodia Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I found the $275/ year visa option almost too good to pass on! Multiple entry; renewable, easily obtained. Worth spending a few minutes watching the video if you have ever thought about going there to live and don't have a wealth of knowledge or friends who can explain how things work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAQ9UqYFV34

Sam.

[MrClen]

Thanks for the advice!! Any guidance as which to visit? I may get the chance to go to more than one. Thanks in advance!!

Still looking for some KTV names. Or suggestions. I will be staying at Naga World. Any help is appreciated.

[MrClen]

The Cambodian KTVs are so much fun. VIew the line up and if you don't like what you see ask for another group. You will have no trouble at all communicating with them. Buy some food for the girls but check the prices if money is a thing. Buy a bottle of whisky or vodka and red bull and beer for the girls but watch the prices. You will pay a room fee and a per girl per hour fee. Its so cheap and so so so much fun. They will do anything you want for money. The music girl will be there but if you tell them you don't want her and insist then they might send her away so the girls can play a bit more. They are not supposed to do much but they will often do it in the toilets. Get two girls or three in the room with you and if one is boring just ask for her to be taken away and you can choose a replacement or stick with just the one. Get them to drink so they are more fun but watch your spending if you drink. Tom posted that its a problem but it is definitely not. I can't speak any Cambodian but I had there time of my life. I took a girl home and kept her for 18 months travelling back and forth to Cambodia to see her. I fell in love haha. Go and enjoy. I am so jealous.

Thanks for the advice!! Any guidance as which to visit? I may get the chance to go to more than one. Thanks in advance!!

[Sidtip]

I will be visiting PP in December and have done a bit of study. I only like to do KTV where I get to know the girl a bit before we make a DEAL.

I have been looking at some of the reports of the prevalence of STD in Cambodia, especially HIV, and it reports over 25% of the working girls are infected which is way scary!

As I am 79 years old and really have trouble finishing with a condom I would hope for a little advice other than don't go and always use a condom.

Also any suggestions as to a good KTV where they won't try to rip you off, and is a bit wild. I will be going with at least one or two other people.

The Cambodian KTVs are so much fun. VIew the line up and if you don't like what you see ask for another group. You will have no trouble at all communicating with them. Buy some food for the girls but check the prices if money is a thing. Buy a bottle of whisky or vodka and red bull and beer for the girls but watch the prices. You will pay a room fee and a per girl per hour fee. Its so cheap and so so so much fun. They will do anything you want for money. The music girl will be there but if you tell them you don't want her and insist then they might send her away so the girls can play a bit more. They are not supposed to do much but they will often do it in the toilets. Get two girls or three in the room with you and if one is boring just ask for her to be taken away and you can choose a replacement or stick with just the one. Get them to drink so they are more fun but watch your spending if you drink. Tom posted that its a problem but it is definitely not. I can't speak any Cambodian but I had there time of my life. I took a girl home and kept her for 18 months travelling back and forth to Cambodia to see her. I fell in love haha. Go and enjoy. I am so jealous.

[MrClen]

I don't think many westerners go to KTV so you mighty have better luck on a Chinese language forum.

I have only tried local Cambodian KTV and whilst it was reasonably cheap I had trouble with language to get them to do anything wild. The Chinese target KTV might be wilder but you are also paying much higher prices, but overall my 10 yrs or so experience visiting are that Cambodians are generally pretty tame they won't do much wild things in or out of bed.

I will be going with a couple Chinese / Korean friends so I hope they know where to go!!

[Member #4667]

I will be visiting PP in December and have done a bit of study. I only like to do KTV where I get to know the girl a bit before we make a DEAL.

I have been looking at some of the reports of the prevalence of STD in Cambodia, especially HIV, and it reports over 25% of the working girls are infected which is way scary!

As I am 79 years old and really have trouble finishing with a condom I would hope for a little advice other than don't go and always use a condom.

Also any suggestions as to a good KTV where they won't try to rip you off, and is a bit wild. I will be going with at least one or two other people.

I don't think many westerners go to KTV so you mighty have better luck on a Chinese language forum.

I have only tried local Cambodian KTV and whilst it was reasonably cheap I had trouble with language to get them to do anything wild. The Chinese target KTV might be wilder but you are also paying much higher prices, but overall my 10 yrs or so experience visiting are that Cambodians are generally pretty tame they won't do much wild things in or out of bed.

[MrClen]

I will be visiting PP in December and have done a bit of study. I only like to do KTV where I get to know the girl a bit before we make a DEAL.

I have been looking at some of the reports of the prevalence of STD in Cambodia, especially HIV, and it reports over 25% of the working girls are infected which is way scary!

As I am 79 years old and really have trouble finishing with a condom I would hope for a little advice other than don't go and always use a condom.

Also any suggestions as to a good KTV where they won't try to rip you off, and is a bit wild. I will be going with at least one or two other people.

[Swpc10]

I will be in PP in a week or so.

Any recommendations for a good massage with a BJ CIM ending?

Thanks.