Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Beggars in places such as Phnom and Siem Reap are asking for milk powder for an infant in arms. Some
foreigners succumb to the urge to help, but the beggars usually request the most expensive milk formula
available and return it to the shop to split the proceeds after the handover.
SHOPPING
High-quality handmade crafts, including silk clothing and accessories, stone and wood carvings, and
silver, are widely available, especially in Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and towns with particular handi-
craft specialities. Hill tribes in Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri produce hand-woven cotton in small quant-
ities. In our coverage of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, we focus on shops and organisations that con-
tribute to reviving traditional crafts and support people who are disadvantaged or disabled.
Telephone
Cambodia's landline system was totally devastated by the long civil war, leaving the country with a poor
communications infrastructure. The advent of mobile phones has allowed Cambodia to catch up with its re-
gional neighbours by jumping headlong into the technology revolution. Mobile phones are everywhere in
Cambodia, but landline access in major towns is also improving, connecting more of the country to the out-
side world than ever before.
Landline area codes appear under the name of each city, but in many areas service is spotty. Mobile
phones, the numbers for which start with 01, 06, 07, 08 or 09, are hugely popular with both individuals and
commercial enterprises. Foreigners need to present a valid passport to get a local SIM card.
The easiest way to make a local call in most urban areas is by heading to one of the many small private
booths on the kerbside, usually plastered with numbers like 012 and 016 and with prices around 300r. Many
internet shops offer cheap international calls for about 1000r per minute, though in places with broadband
speeds you can Skype for the price of an internet connection (usually 2000r to 4000r
per hour
).
For listings of businesses and government offices, check out
www.yellowpages-cambodia.com
.
Mobile Phones
When travelling with a mobile phone on international roaming, just select a network upon arrival, dial away
and await a hefty phone bill once you return home. Note to self: Cambodian roaming charges are extraordin-
arily high.
Those who plan on spending longer in Cambodia should purchase a SIM card for one of the local service
providers. Most mobile companies now offer cheap internet-based phone calls accessed through a gateway
number. Use the cheap prefix and calls will be just US 20ยข or less per minute.
