General Info

[Sam Sanuk]

ALWAYS check your bills when you receive change from bars, restaurants, etc. I didn't do that once and it costed me $50 US because a bar gave me a counterfeit 50 as part of my change. Learned my lesson to always check.

That is a bummer. You can get pens that can identify fake US bills on Amazon and at a local office supply stores. Cheap investment if you change larger bills often.

Sam.

[PinkPearl]

ALWAYS check your bills when you receive change from bars, restaurants, etc. I didn't do that once and it costed me $50 US because a bar gave me a counterfeit 50 as part of my change. Learned my lesson to always check.

It has also been reported in the PP thread that there have been hotel staff open in room safes and substitute counterfeit USD for large denomination USD bills therein.

To counter these problems I am thinking I would convert my USD to Riel notes to make payments in Riel to bars, restaurants, convenience stores, etc, and to also keep a supply of Riel in my room.

Any supply of large USD bills, 50's or 100's, if I wanted to keep any, could be kept on my person when I leave my hotel room. Such as in a zippered or inside pocket, or money belt underneath my clothes. Using small denomination USD, as in 1, 5, 10 & 20 dollar bills, would be another or additional option.

Alternately, or in addition to that aforementioned, a supply of other currencies such as Thai Baht and or Euros, etc, could also be kept somewhere as mentioned above.

On another note, I wonder if there are any Riverside area banks that have ATM machines inside the bank. Or have Riel 50 K or 100 K notes available in exchange for other currencies. From what I have read those Riel denominations are somewhat rare.

Stay safe, live long and prosper!

[Banana Boi]

Do they prefer new or newer bills.

ALWAYS check your bills when you receive change from bars, restaurants, etc. I didn't do that once and it costed me $50 US because a bar gave me a counterfeit 50 as part of my change. Learned my lesson to always check.

[Qeast]

After your comments, I did my own follow up. I found a couple of interesting articles explaining the circumstances in which Cambodia "accidentally" became dollarized, and the current government efforts to reverse the process.

For small cash transactions, I think I would prefer to deal solely in local currency, (rather than pay in dollars and receive riel as change).

[Sam Sanuk]

Do they prefer new or newer bills.

Since last year, most banks are refusing to accept small USD bills (or heavily discounting them) due to the cost of re-patronizing them. This would include denominations of 1's, 5's and maybe 10's. In the past I'd get newer, clean bills from my bank prior to departure. I'll do the same for my next trip, providing I live long enough to book one. LOL Since motodops, tuk tuk drivers and most restaurants have almost always quoted me a fare in $ and menus are printed with prices in $, I don't know how things will eventually develop. I guess when I arrive, I'll change a couple of hundred bucks into riel at the airport and see how it goes. As long as the exchange rate stays about the same (and it has for years), it isn't too difficult to figure out how much to pay in riel--and I will have a ton of those very quickly!

SS.

[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!!