Some Interesting Facts About Cambodia

Public Holidays

Amongst Cambodia’s most popular and widely celebrated holidays is Chaul Chnam, the Cambodian New Year, with festivities going on for all of three days. It occurs in mid April and is followed by Visak Bauchea (the birthday of Gautam Buddha) in May and Chrat Prea Angkal, the festival that signifies the beginning of the sowing season. The seasons and their effect on agriculture are a recurrent theme in Cambodian festivals- mainly because agriculture is so important for the people. Another festival that is connected to the seasons is Bon Om Tuk (Water Festival) in late October or early November. The festival celebrates the reversal of the current in the Tonlé Sap lake -an annual occurrence when the water of the lake starts flowing into the Mekong River. The event is celebrated with great fervour and is marked by Pirogue - the long canoe races in Phnom Penh.

Date 2005 Occasion
January 1 New Year's Day  
January 7 Commemoration of the fall of the Khmer Rouge*
February 9 - 11 Chinese New Year¤
March 8 Women's Day
April 13-15 Traditional Khmer New Year
May 1 Labour Day
May 5 International Children's Day
May 23 Buddh Purnima**
June 18 Queen's Birthday
September 24 Constitution Day
October 23 Paris Peace Agreements on Cambodia
October 30 - 31 Birthday of HM the King
November 9 Independence Day
December 10 UN Human Rights Day

Embassies and Consulates

Cambodia has diplomatic relations with about 20 countries, who have their embassies or consulates (or, as in the case of Switzerland, an honorary consulate) in Cambodia. Most diplomatic missions are situated in Phnom Penh, although Vietnam has an embassy in the capital, and two consulates- one in Sihanoukville, and the other in Battambang. For addresses and telephone numbers of the diplomatic missions, you can contact the Telephone Enquiry Office, or check in the Yellow Pages. In fact, keeping in mind the unstable and unsafe conditions prevailing in Cambodia at present, you should find out where your country’s embassy is in Cambodia- and have yourself registered there as soon as you reach Phnom Penh.

Weights & Measures

The Metric system is used in Cambodia.

Electricity

Power is supplied at 220 volts, 50 Hz so electrical appliances not compatible will need a voltage converter or an adaptor.

Post & Communications

The postal system in Cambodia isn’t extremely reliable, except in the urban areas. In areas outside the main cities and specifically, outside the capital Phnom Penh - communication facilities tend to be fairly poor. Within Phnom Penh, though, you’ll find an efficient postal system and an equally good phone network. Although there isn’t a system of coin-operated phones (simply because the local currency doesn’t use coins), there are a number of cardphones. Cards are available for these at outlets in hotels, department stores and big shops. Other telecommunications facilities like telexes and faxes are available at large hotels and bigger shops.

Tipping

Tipping is not a practice in Cambodia and most employees rendering a service- including porters, restaurant waiters, chauffeurs and the like- would not expect a gratuity of any kind. However, do remember that poverty is widespread in the country, and if service has been good, it might be kind to leave a token of your appreciation- even a small tip will be welcomed.