Phnom Penh news and views

Phnom Penh news and views

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Phnom Penh news and views

Phnom Penh Guide: TAT Advice 17^th December 25

Those living in the Thai areas specified below will almost certainly be aware, so this is a heads-up for visitors.

Martial law remains in effect in Mueang Chanthaburi, Tha Mai, Makham, Laem Sing, Kaeng Hang Maew, Na Yai Am, and Khao Khitchakut districts of Chanthaburi, as well as in Khok Sung, Ta Phraya, Aranyaprathet, and Khlong Hat districts of Sa Kaeo. Curfew measures continue to apply in the four districts of Sa Kaeo, effective 10 December 2025 until further notice, restricting movement between 7 pm and 5 am

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Travel advisory from the Foreign Office (FCDO) in London

Received by email 22:41   12^th December 2025

Change made to Thailand travel advice:
FCDO now advises against all travel to within 50km of the whole border with Cambodia except for Koh Chang, Koh Kood and the other islands in between them, where FCDO continues to advise against all but essential travel.

Also

Change made to Cambodia travel advice:

FCDO advises against all travel within 50km of the whole border with Thailand.

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Phnom Penh Guide

11 December 25: Ongoing Thai/Cambodia border conflict

The Cambodian Government, citing safety concerns, have withdrawn all its competitors from the SEA Games in Bangkok, Thailand.

Train services to Ban Khlong Luk are now terminating at Aranyaprattet.

Call SRT, State Railways of Thailand, hotline 1690 for the latest information.

Call TAT, The Tourist Authority of Thailand’s Hotline 1672, for further details, including various suspensions and rerouting of bus services.

The Foreign Office in London have reaffirmed its advice as follows: Avoid all but essential travel to within 50km of the whole Thai-Cambodia border, including Koh Chang, Koh Kood and other islands between them.

Obviously, since this is a rather fluid situation, subject to change at short notice, assess your requirements very thoroughly before any travel to or within the contested/affected areas.

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Closed international borders: Phnom Penh Guide

Be aware that as of the 8th December 25, all land border crossings between Cambodia and Thailand are closed. At this time, the borders with Laos are open, and air traffic remains unrestricted.

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Visiting Koh Chang, Thailand

29^th October 25, FCO advise all but essential travel to within 50km of the whole border with Cambodia, including Koh Chang, Koh Kood and the other islands between them.

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Phnom Penh Guide

The national water festival, Bon Om Touk: Phnom Penh Guide

The government have cancelled this event in Phnom Penh for 2025, but celebrations may take place in other parts of the country. In any event, it remains a three-day public holiday from the 4th to the 6th of November.

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Phnom Penh news and views

Phnom Penh Guide: Walk Street Promenade

Saturday and Sunday evenings, the prom has become very popular with much to see and do. No shortage of food and entertainment. 

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Ankor Meanchey building

November 25: For safety concerns, The Ankor Meanchey building at the corner of Monivong Blvd. and Kampuchea Krom, is being demolished. 

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Phnom Penh news and views

Phnom Penh Guide

Express City Bus to/from TIA, Phnom Penh’s New Airport

31^st October 25:  City Bus operate an express service to the airport for 1500 Riel, less than ½$, at about 15-minute intervals throughout the day. Note: you pay the same fare, on the bus, no matter where you board, and you need the exact amount as no change is given.  

The service departs from the Old Stadium Roundabout, aka Canon Rifle Roundabout, but currently known as the Kouch Kanong Circle, opposite the French Embassy. I took the bus from here, departing at 11:42am, which arrived at the airport at 12:55pm. It stopped 4 times on the route. First at the University of Health Sciences across the road from Vatanac Capital, then further down Monivong at the Ministry of Social Affairs, close to street 352, then R & F City and onto Aeon Mall 3 and last of all, the airport.

I am puzzled that the Express Bus terminates on the main road, resulting in a good 15-minute walk, with all your luggage and no baggage carts, to the departure building. I am left wondering why the bus does not stop outside the airport terminal building, where tuk-tuks and taxis drop off their passengers.

For the return journey to the city, I searched but could not locate any help point for travellers’ inquiries. I was looking for directions to the Express City Bus pickup point. I asked a couple of security personnel inside the terminal, but they appeared unsure, although one suggested that “I go outside and keep walking.” I feel that a clear sign in Khmer and English, with directional arrows inside/outside the terminal, would be helpful, and luggage carts for the long walk.

Anyhow, I made the long, long walk keeping the airport immediately behind me until I reached the main road. I discovered more by luck than anything else that if you turn right, you come to the bus stop for the Express Bus departures. I boarded the bus at 2:45pm, arriving at the Kouch Kanong Circle at 15:50pm. Journey times may vary depending on traffic, etc.

For guidance, from my hotel on street 182, off Monivong, Passapp indicated 17500 Riel, just under 4½ dollars. However, I suspect that something between $15 and $25 would be required for the entire 30km journey.

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Phnom Penh Guide

Phnom Penh news and views

15^th October is a national public holiday in Cambodia, marking the passing of HM the King’s Father, Norodom Sihanouk, who died on this day in 2012. This is an image of his memorial on Sihanouk Blvd. in Phnom Penh. 

 

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A very sad anniversary

1^st of October marks the first anniversary of the bus crash/fire in Bangkok, which took the lives of twenty school children, three teachers and others taken to the hospital. Furthermore, I understand that two of the children hospitalised did not survive.

I shall never forget the live news coverage. A bus on fire with many passengers unable to escape. Hundreds of spectators in the street and maybe millions watching on TV, as flames rapidly took hold, taking the lives of those trapped in the knowledge that, evidently, nothing could be done to save them. I have to ask myself, “How could this have happened in daylight on a main road, in a major city?”  

This truly horrific incident once again raised many questions about road safety in Thailand, focusing on buses and, in particular, those carrying children. I understand that the driver was fined and the bus company he worked for closed down, mainly for having too many gas cylinders, incorrectly installed in their fleet.

Commercial vehicle drivers are expected, and required by law in several countries, to ensure that their cargo is safe and secure. I do not know the laws in Thailand, but bus drivers should have responsibilities too. Before each journey, long or short, how long would it take to make sure that adequate fire extinguishers are on board? How long would it take to ensure that all emergency exit doors and windows were free of obstruction and easily opened, should there be an emergency? Plus, a suitable tool, such as a hammer or crowbar, easily accessible to the driver, to smash windows and force doors open to aid swift evacuation, when seconds count. 

I truly hope that lessons have been learnt, and that tragedies of this type are never repeated.

May all the deceased rest in eternal peace.   

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Phnom Penh Guide

Constitution Day 24 September 2025

Constitution Day, 24 September, in Cambodia is now an annual public holiday. This marks the adoption of the 1993 Constitution. This is the new Constitution monument, inaugurated in 2024, located on Sihanouk Blvd., Phnom Penh

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Phnom Penh Guide: Pchum Ben 21^st to 23^rd September 25

Hi everyone, and best wishes to all for this year’s Pchum Ben

Sunday, 21^st September, introduces the beginning of the three-day festival known as Pchum Ben or Ancestors Day, which is a three-day public holiday. Traditionally, at this time, offerings are made at temples and wats throughout the country in memory of family members, particularly parents and grandparents, who have passed away over several generations.  

Many small businesses will be closed for a few days while thousands return to their villages to celebrate with families, at what is a very joyful and important occasion. To help with this, the government has once again, very kindly arranged for hundreds of public buses to transport people to and from their villages, completely free of charge.

Please donate, if you are able, any packaged food such as noodles, canned fruit or vegetables, for example, to your local Wat. No appointment required, just go along, give and enjoy.

Thank you, and we wish a safe journey to all

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Phnom Penh Guide

Phnom Penh news and views

Techo International Airport

9 September 25 marks the opening of the new Techo International Airport, about 20km south of Phnom Penh city. The official inauguration is scheduled for 20 October. 

May I recommend this article from the Khmer Times setting out transport details to and from the airport

https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501752572/details-of-new-airport-express-bus-service-connecting-techo-international-airport-to-phnom-penh-announced/

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Phnom Penh Guide

21 August 25: SOSORO Museum Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh news and views. For those interested in Cambodian history, you may find the exhibition of photos taken during the 1970s, prior to the Khmer Rouge takeover, to be of particular interest.

The exhibition is being held at the Preah Srey Içanavarman Museum, Aka SOSORO Museum, on street 106, Phnom Penh, until the end of this month.

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Phnom Penh news and views

Phnom Penh Guide

13^th August 25:  Smoking Ban

According to an article in the Phnom Penh Post, City Hall has announced a smoking ban on Phnom Penh’s Walking Street at weekends.

All types of smoking are prohibited while Walk Street is in operation.

A detailed explanation will be found at https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/city-hall-ban-smoking-on-phnom-penh-walking-street-

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11 August 25: Keeping on the right side of the law

Do not let your visa expire; keep in touch with your local immigration office for the latest advice while land borders remain closed. 

Overstaying your permission to stay date is not recommended in either Thailand or Cambodia

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Please respond to our email address fuzzyken@hotmail.com

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Phnom Penh news and views

Phnom Penh Guide

8^th August 25: New service for foreigners in Cambodia

The Cambodian National Police have introduced a help line for all foreigners in Cambodia. Details published in the Khmer Times at the following link.

https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501734438/national-police-launches-24-hr-hotline-for-foreigners/#google_vignette

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Phnom Penh Guide

31 July 25: I was thinking!

26 July 25: Referring to the Cambodia/Thai border dispute

Update from the Foreign Office, London, 26 July at 10.33am

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to border areas as follows:
Within 50km of the entire border between Cambodia and Thailand.

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Phnom Penh Guide

25 July 25:

Update from the Foreign Office, London, 25 July at 3.23am

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to border areas as follows:

Within 50km of the border with Thailand in Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces. Also within 50km of the border with Cambodia in the provinces of Buriram, Si Saket, Surin and Ubon Ratchathani.

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24 July 25:

This advice was received from the Foreign Office in London at 8.40pm

“There are reports of fighting, including rocket and artillery fire on 24 July between Thailand and Cambodia at several locations along the border. Casualties have been reported, as well as evacuations of areas close to the border. Land borders/crossings between Thailand and Cambodia have been suspended. Some tourist destinations in border areas, such as the Khao Phra Wihan/Preah Vihear temple, the Ta Kwai/Ta Krabey temple and the Ta Muen Thom/Tamone Thom temple, are currently closed.

Exercise a high level of vigilance in border areas and follow the instructions of local authorities. There are also unexploded landmines in the border area.”

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Phnom Penh Guide: Product shortages both sides of the border

19 July 25: I have noticed, sadly, that Dutch Mill milk is no longer available, and yesterday, an alternative was being rationed to 2 cartons per customer at the local supermarket. A recent visit to my local 7-Eleven here in Kampot revealed that virtually all products manufactured by CP Foods in Thailand are no longer on the shelf. This alone must be costing someone in Thailand millions of dollars.

Thai Mitr Phol sugar looks OK, so far, but I’m not so sure about MaMa Noodles, although there are many alternatives, some from South Korea and China. Otherwise, I’m managing just fine.

Just curious, does anyone know of shortages of products from Cambodia to Thailand? I would like to make comparisons based on firsthand experiences.

15 July 25: Phnom Penh to the airport, by train?

I recall using the airport shuttle a couple of times and thought it good value for money at $2.5, see ticket herewith. Actually, I think it was free for its introduction, at least for a few weeks.

Maybe Covid helped bring about its demise, but sad nonetheless to learn of its official passing. I guess that many have already forgotten the service, but the removal of the final vestiges from the road will cement the matter into the history books.

For railway buffs, here’s an image of the locomotive crossing the street on its final approach to the airport station. Note the man with a green flag ensuring that safety requirements were met. I’m also including here my ticket to seal my memory of what originally appeared to be a good idea. 

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5^th July 25 Ongoing land border dispute

Nothing new to report, as all land borders between Thailand and Cambodia remain firmly closed, with very few exceptions allowed, such as medical emergencies.

Updates to follow, as and when available. In the meantime, you may wish to check with your local Thai or Cambodian immigration office for the latest advice.

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Phnom Penh news and views

Phnom Penh Guide: Entry to Cambodia

From the 1^st of July 25, all visitors must register on the v-Pass entry system inside the seven days leading up to arrival, on https://arrival.gov.kh

When you arrive, an email will be sent to you to confirm your arrival instead of your passport being stamped. Make sure that this email is available on your phone or a printed version throughout your stay.

Be aware that this compulsory requirement, for all travellers, does not replace visa requirements.

Should you have any questions, please go to the above link for advice.