Basics - The Rough Guide to Cambodia - page 44

A single-entry tourist visa obtained on arrival
($20; one passport photograph required, or pay a
small surcharge - usually a dollar or two - to have
your passport photo scanned) is valid for thirty
days, including the day of issue, and can be
extended once only, for one month. Note that at
the Thai border Cambodian o cials may ask for an
bit more than the o cial fee (see p.264) - having an
e-visa (see below) avoids this hassle. You can also
buy a business visa ($25; one passport photo) on
arrival. Like the tourist visa this is valid for thirty
days, but can be extended in a variety of ways
(ranging from one-month single-entry extension,
three months' single-entry, six months' multiple-
entry and twelve months' multiple-entry; costs
range from $42 to $270). Multiple entries are only
available on a business visa.
Single-entry, thirty-day tourist e-visas are available
online at W evisa.mfaic.gov.kh for $20 plus a $5
processing charge, although they are only supported
if you enter through the airports at Phnom Penh or
Siem Reap, or overland at Koh Kong, Bavet and
Poipet. They must be used within three months of
the date of issue. They're mainly useful if you're
entering via Poipet and wish to avoid the traditional
hassles associated with that crossing (see p.130).
Tourist and business visas can only be extended
in Phnom Penh at the Department for Immigration
(Mon-Fri 8-11am & 2-4pm; T 017 812763,
W immigration.gov.kh) 8km out of the centre
opposite the airport at 332 Russian Blvd. Given the
serious amounts of red tape involved and the
inconvenient location of the of ce, however, it's far
preferable to use one of the visa-extension
services offered by travel agents and guesthouses
in town, who will do all the running around for a
commission of around $5-10. If you overstay your
visa you'll be charged $5 per day. There is no
departure tax.

SIX FUN THINGS FOR KIDS
Ballooning above Angkor See p.174
The bamboo railway See p.116
Biking, horseriding and quad-biking in
Siem Reap See p.145
A trip to the circus See p.118 & p.153
Elephant rides at Angkor and Sen
Monorom See p.170, p.176 & p.273
Kayaking in Kratie See p.221

arrange customized visits including all required
assistance - try Cambodia specialists About Asia
( W aboutasiatravel.com).

Travelling with children

Travelling through Cambodia with children in tow is
not for the nervous or over-protective parent,
although many families find it a rewarding experi-
ence, especially with slightly older kids. Cambo-
dians love children, although they do have a habit
of greeting them with an affectionate pinch, which
can be disconcerting - the protectiveness of the
West is nonexistent and there are no special facili-
ties or particular concessions made for kids. On
public transport , children travel free if they share
your seat; otherwise expect to pay the adult fare. It's
worth considering hiring a car and driver - not only
will this mean you can stop when you want for food
and comfort breaks, but it'll be more comfortable -
although note that child car seats are not available.
Some hotels have family rooms, while extra beds
can usually be arranged. Note that under-11's are
admitted free to the Angkor Archaeological Park
(passport required as proof, or they'll be charged
the adult fee).
If you're travelling with a baby or toddler, you'll be
able to buy disposable nappies, formula milk and
tins or jars of baby food at supermarkets and mini-
markets in the major cities, but elsewhere you need
to take your own supplies.

CAMBODIAN EMBASSIES AND
CONSULATES
Australia & New Zealand W embassyofcambodia.org.nz/au.htm.
Canada c/o Embassy of Canada, 15th Floor, Abdulrahim Place, 990
Rama IV Rd, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand ( T 066 2646 4300,
E [e-mail]).
Laos Thadeua Rd, KM2 Vientiane, BP 34 ( T 02 131 4950,
E [e-mail]).
South Africa c/o Embassy of South Africa, 12th A Floor, M Thai
Tower, All Seasons Place, 87 Wireless Rd, Lumpini, Pathumwan,
Bangkok ( T 066 2659 2900, W dirco.gov.za/Bangkok).
Thailand 518/4 Pracha Uthit Rd (Soi Ramkamhaeng 39),
Wangtonglang, Bangkok 10310 ( T 957 5851, E recbkk@cscoms
.com).

Visas

Visas for Cambodia are required by everyone
other than nationals of Laos, Malaysia, the Philip-
pines, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand and
Indonesia. Visas are issued on arrival for $20 at
Phnom Penh and Siem Reap international
airports, at Sihanoukville port, at all overland
crossings from Thailand and Vietnam, and at Voen
Kham from Laos.