Phnom Penh

[Dion Cassius]

Hi guys,

Is Pontoon Club open and the atmosphere similar to what it used to be before COVID?

What is with the outdoor bar next to Pontoon?

I can't tell you. I have only been there once and it was ages ago.

But given how things recovered elsewhere, I would think that it is back to normal.

[Card Boy]

Hi guys,

Is Pontoon Club open and the atmosphere similar to what it used to be before COVID?

What is with the outdoor bar next to Pontoon?

[Gunners1]

Dear Rick.

Please clear your inbox. Trying to DM you.

The ability to walk off of a plane unannounced and purchase a visa.

The ability to extend that visa indefinitely with no questions asked with $150.

Use of the US dollar.

The fact that foreigners are basically left alone and not bothered at all unless / until they fuck up in a way that causes police attention.

Nothing like it in Asia.

Of course it is still a third world country. But unlike say Malaysia or Thailand, it doesn't try to pretend otherwise.

[Rick Rock]

Dion Cassius, I'm curious what contributed to your decision to settle in Phnom Penh full time as opposed to another country / city? Although many expats say PP is cheap, a quick Numbeo (https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/) comparison between Pattaya or Angeles reveals this is not the case. Additionally I found PP to be crowded and not very easy to navigate both times I visited. I do love the Cambodian people, but from the perspective of cost, infrastructure, and mongering options it seems like there are better choices. And yet a significant number of Expats chose PP. Curious what they see that I don't. Thanks.

RS.

The ability to walk off of a plane unannounced and purchase a visa.

The ability to extend that visa indefinitely with no questions asked with $150.

Use of the US dollar.

The fact that foreigners are basically left alone and not bothered at all unless / until they fuck up in a way that causes police attention.

Nothing like it in Asia.

Of course it is still a third world country. But unlike say Malaysia or Thailand, it doesn't try to pretend otherwise.

[Dion Cassius]

Dion Cassius, I'm curious what contributed to your decision to settle in Phnom Penh full time as opposed to another country / city? Although many expats say PP is cheap, a quick Numbeo (https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/) comparison between Pattaya or Angeles reveals this is not the case. Additionally I found PP to be crowded and not very easy to navigate both times I visited. I do love the Cambodian people, but from the perspective of cost, infrastructure, and mongering options it seems like there are better choices. And yet a significant number of Expats chose PP. Curious what they see that I don't. Thanks.

RS.

The answer is very simple: business opportunity. Plus, I already knew the country pretty well. I agree with you, traffic in PP can be a real pain but it can be mitigated if you ride a motorcycle as I do, and there are better options for mongering: Thailand and the Philippines for example. But I am far happier in PP than in Beirut where I used to live before.

[MrClen]

Dion Cassius, I'm curious what contributed to your decision to settle in Phnom Penh full time as opposed to another country / city? Although many expats say PP is cheap, a quick Numbeo (https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/) comparison between Pattaya or Angeles reveals this is not the case. Additionally I found PP to be crowded and not very easy to navigate both times I visited. I do love the Cambodian people, but from the perspective of cost, infrastructure, and mongering options it seems like there are better choices. And yet a significant number of Expats chose PP. Curious what they see that I don't. Thanks.

RS.

I lived in Bangkok many years ago. It was during Nam and I was there for one year. AHHH! Those were the days! I don'[think I would go back now as I am 80 years old and in good shape, but the "point and shoot" is not my thing. I now go to China quite often (before Covid) and love the KTV'S. An evenings fun, singing, dancing, and play time then off to your hotel with your pick or picks for the night. No interest in a quick in and out, next, that's for the 20 year olds. I have been to KTV in Cambodia and plenty of beautiful girls and good times. Visited the 136 street and others but didn't do much for me. My point is that if you are looking for as many as you can do in short period of time, then Thailand is probably the place for you.

[RakSopheni]

I understand that Phnom Penh isn't as large a playground as Pattaya and it is true that my point of view might be different from a tourist's perspective. Nevertheless, I know plenty of mongers who keep coming back to PP, so it cannot be so bad.

Dion Cassius, I'm curious what contributed to your decision to settle in Phnom Penh full time as opposed to another country / city? Although many expats say PP is cheap, a quick Numbeo (https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/) comparison between Pattaya or Angeles reveals this is not the case. Additionally I found PP to be crowded and not very easy to navigate both times I visited. I do love the Cambodian people, but from the perspective of cost, infrastructure, and mongering options it seems like there are better choices. And yet a significant number of Expats chose PP. Curious what they see that I don't. Thanks.

RS.

[Dion Cassius]

You might be referring to my posts from earlier in the summer, and good call on avoiding- I personally have no interest in returning. I've said it before and I will say it again- if you are used to the point and shoot ease of Pattaya, Phnom Penh is jarring and discouraging. Only a couple of girls at each bar are available for take-out and they are usually older and less attractive.

It could be that PP enthusiasts that post here often have become acclimated to this situation and / or have a different mode of mongering that involves a longer investment of time and energy and is based more on conversations and relationship building. I think PP would be well suited for a permanent expat with a lower sex drive that wanted a P4 P girlfriend or two, but for the short time tourist looking for quick sex, it is largely a wash.

RS.

I understand that Phnom Penh isn't as large a playground as Pattaya and it is true that my point of view might be different from a tourist's perspective. Nevertheless, I know plenty of mongers who keep coming back to PP, so it cannot be so bad.

After COVID, a lot of girls were back in the bars and "hungry".

[RakSopheni]

Some earlier posts on this forum by other users mentioned not having a great time in Pp for multiple reasons. I ended up not going. In lady bars you may buy drinks but the girls won't go out with you those reports plus other things I read. I was enjoying Pattaya so extended my stay there. Infact as per my initial plan I was going to stay in Pp for most of time because my 2019 pp trip was good. Also being Indian didn't matter in Cambodia as much it did in Pattaya. I also spoke to some old pp contacts they were also rude to me and so all this made me not go.

You might be referring to my posts from earlier in the summer, and good call on avoiding- I personally have no interest in returning. I've said it before and I will say it again- if you are used to the point and shoot ease of Pattaya, Phnom Penh is jarring and discouraging. Only a couple of girls at each bar are available for take-out and they are usually older and less attractive.

It could be that PP enthusiasts that post here often have become acclimated to this situation and / or have a different mode of mongering that involves a longer investment of time and energy and is based more on conversations and relationship building. I think PP would be well suited for a permanent expat with a lower sex drive that wanted a P4 P girlfriend or two, but for the short time tourist looking for quick sex, it is largely a wash.

RS.

[Mano112]

I don't see any source of concern regarding Phnom Penh. And I live there. What are you referring to?

Some earlier posts on this forum by other users mentioned not having a great time in Pp for multiple reasons. I ended up not going. In lady bars you may buy drinks but the girls won't go out with you those reports plus other things I read. I was enjoying Pattaya so extended my stay there. In fact as per my initial plan I was going to stay in Pp for most of time because my 2019 pp trip was good. Also being Indian didn't matter in Cambodia as much it did in Pattaya. I also spoke to some old pp contacts they were also rude to me and so all this made me not go.

[Mano112]

Mano noted that he is Indian. There are many reports of a lot of ladies (at least in Thailand) refusing to do business with Indian men. It may be that there is a Hindi group that Mano belongs to that describes concerns not expressed on this and other boards.

I'll be in Cambo for 5 weeks starting next month. I don't foresee any concerns. I haven't heard of any new reasons for concern.

SS.

Thanks for replying. I ended up not going to PP and extended my stay in Pattaya. Had a good time there. The reports I was referring to were those in the forums here in which people mentioned the scene is dead in Pp and girls don't go out with you just make you buy drinks. I also spoke to some old pp contacts and they were so rude to me. I didn't want to take any chances and I was doing good in Pattaya so pushed through. Indians face problems in Pattaya that is there but I go alone and dress up well. In spite of this I used to get rejected. The gogo bars do push us Indians extra for lady drinks but I decided to cave in. My average gogo bill was 1400-1500 baht. I don't know when or if at all I would come back so didn't care much. Making money is a lot lot more difficult in India than western countries hence we in general are so frugal plus a weaker currency. But this is not Pattaya problem right. Anyways I'm sure in the next decade half of Pattaya will cater to Indians only. There is a hell lot of Indian investment I saw this time. Easily 60-70% men were Indians on walking street. The Siam Bayshore hotel was packed with Indians. Also for a long period of time Pattaya definitely has more entertainment it's a bigger playground plus the scene is getting better. Girls have come in in spite of the low season all this is because of covid. The weed scene is going to be the next big thing here. It was a roller coaster ride but had fun.

[Sam Sanuk]

I was there just a few weeks ago. I am wondering about these reports too. Reports about what?

Mano noted that he is Indian. There are many reports of a lot of ladies (at least in Thailand) refusing to do business with Indian men. It may be that there is a Hindi group that Mano belongs to that describes concerns not expressed on this and other boards.

I'll be in Cambo for 5 weeks starting next month. I don't foresee any concerns. I haven't heard of any new reasons for concern.

SS.

[SouthEaster]

I was there just a few weeks ago. I am wondering about these reports too. Reports about what?

[Dion Cassius]

But recent reports have really made me concerned about PP

I don't see any source of concern regarding Phnom Penh. And I live there. What are you referring to?

[Dion Cassius]

For what that hotel charges, it should include "model level" companions. LOL Being a 5* property, it might not be guest friendly. That means either no guests allowed or an extra charge. My policy is to email the hotels directly and ask if I can bring a guest back to my room overnight and if there is any extra charge (indicating that I have reserved a room for two). I've always gotten straight answers from the hotels. And, I've printed out the hotel's response just in case there is a problem later.

As for location, the Rosewood is not in the best area for mongering activities. The best area would be along the Riverside and on Streets 104, 110, 130, 136, and 172. Most of the hotels in that area are 2 and 3 star. If you are looking for a 4 or 5 star hotel with ladies available, you might consider Naga World Hotel and Casino. It's a huge complex with inhouse KTV and lots of nice looking (and expensive) freelancers in the hotel bars and club.

PM me if I can be of more help.

SS.

This is very good advice.