Talk:Phnom Penh

Stef's Happy Paintings

Hi! I really like Stef's Happy Paitings, would love to own one, and envy anyone who does. But I think they're much too expensive (the cheapest ones listed on the website are US$125 -- and those are small prints) to actually do anything other than look at. So I think it should be moved back to the See section instead of the Buy section. What do you think? :(WT-en) Ewlyahoocom 11:53, 22 Apr 2005 (EDT)

Wikivoyage isn't exclusively for backpackers — obviously there are some visitors who do more than look if the shop is still in business! (WT-en) Jpatokal 11:40, 20 Aug 2005 (EDT)

Get around

I left the taxi part there, but I've been tempted to delete this portion. I've lived in Phnom Penh for a couple of years now, and although I know that there are indeed taxis and a taxi service, I would be hard pressed to go down on Sisowath and point out which vehicle was a taxi. Anyway, the point is that I disagree with the "plenty of taxis" statement, but didn't want to be to bold before posting here...any thoughts? --(WT-en) Easter Monkey 11:19, 22 Oct 2005 (EDT)

Be bold, plunge forward! If you're lived there for several years surely you're qualified enough to say what the situation is. (WT-en) Jpatokal 13:40, 22 Oct 2005 (EDT)

Disagreement!

I thought the info here was a bit too negative. There's quite a lot of stuff in backpacker land in terms of accomodation, I was only there a few days but I don't think it felt 'unsafe', and various other points. Basically the opinions of my gf and myself differ drastically from those set out on this page... We're not sure if we should start a rewrite!!! (Especially if some people live in PP).

I agree, I was there earlier this year, stayed in a hostel, safe and in a friendly neighbourhood and walked the streets fine, took moto taxis around, ate khmer food and never had a problem... plenty of other people were doing the same.

I would agree with making it obvious that this is a place where you should keep youre wits about you. Stay away from the drugs and vice tho and I cant see why Phnom Penh is any more dangerous than London or Cape Town.

You could probably walk around many dangerous cities & not encounter any problems, the law of averages being what it is. Also the river area and streets where well-lit backpacker place are situated are safer, yes.

But the fact remains that there is a huge amount of violent crime in Phnom Penh, and that most foreigners who live here have encountered more of it than they have in most other cities - often a lot more. Last month I met a six-year part-time PP resident who has had 10 European friends killed in that time - including 3 shot, 1 stabbed, and 3 from motorbike crashes.

I have seen beatings and heard shootings occur right under my apartment windows - something I never saw in New York or London, let alone Adelaide or Sydney. A friend reported two shootings in his street last month; another was delayed for a dinner with me by a shooting on Sisowath Quay, the main tourist drag.

Coming through for a few days will generally not be fatal, though it also does not give you a full picture of what the city is like.

Who is the author of this article ? It is a shame. The informations is false. Phnom Penh is not a city of crime like it is described. Is he already goes to Phnom Penh ? I though your website is not a serious website. Now, I didn't advise your website to people and go out now. Bye.

You must remove this article.

Hi! Wikivoyage is a community, so several editors have written this article. It reflects the real life and dangers people do face in PP. Please say constructively what you don't like but crime is a problem. (WT-en) jan 06:43, 6 January 2011 (EST)

"Why did you publish my personnal IP ? Do I say some insults ? I didn't authorize you to publish it ? This is illegal to publish my personal IP for everyone. I remove it."

Secondly, if you accept this type of comments. So, I could write the same for each country of the world ! Example : New York is very dangerous because people have guns and use it easily. Paris have a lot of gangs in the street and burn cars the night. London have hooligans in a street. Mafia is everywhere in Italy. So all these cities are not secure. Indeed, what I say is true but it is not the real life of everyday. If I add all this comments on your website. I think people we'll run away fast. So, this type of remark is not a comment for travellers.

The author should describe without giving a negative opinions like this. Cambodia is a poor country and a beautiful country. There are lack like every poor country. Now, it economy is growing very fast.

If the admin is ok with this type of comment. OMG. Looks lonely planet or the other website. Travellers don't need this type of false comments. Ask the majority of people who travel to Phnom Penh their feelings before editing this type of comments. Bye"

Hi anon 82.227.143.41! I think you should cool down a bit. Every edit you do at Wikivoyage is under our http://shared.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Copyleft policies and every edit gets recorded in the article history which you can see when you click on the history tag. Everytime you click on the save page button you agree with that policy and therefore your IP is recorded as well. It's the same method as Wikipedia, so either stop writing at Wikivoyage/Wikipedia or you have to accept the rules (which you did implictly with your last edits). Also we have policies and discussions are made chonologically so everyone can follow it.

Concerning PP: We use common sense here and the presence of weapons don't necessarily results in violence because one of the most armed countries per inhabitant is Switzerland but the crime level is low. PP has a crime issue and travellers should know that. If you would read the New York article you would have seen the crime section,too. If you want only to rant, go ahead otherwise bring prove that is not that worse in PP (WT-en) jan 07:18, 6 January 2011 (EST)

I agree with the feeling that this article is by far too negative. Perhaps it needs some update to reflect the changes of the past years or perhaps the author(s) don't have element of comparison with similar cities and countries in South East Asia:

• Traffic is not that bad compared to other capital cities like Saigon or even smaller cities like Chiang Mai. We are in Asia here not US or Europe!
• City center is fairly clean and looks safe. Have you been to Pattaya or Bangkok?
• Costs for tourists are comparable to other places, wifi works well.
• Ok there are beggars and touts but this is up to the tourists not to feed the pest!
• Noise? You may try Saigon to experience a really noisy city

—The preceding comment was added by 27.109.117.255 (talk • contribs)

On Gridskipper

Article on Gridskipper mentioning this guide: http://www.gridskipper.com/travel/top/stung-meanchey-dump-178536.php . --(WT-en) Evan 22:39, 21 August 2006 (EDT)

Internet

i want to add something abt internet acces, but where can it go?

I just set up Phnom Penh#Internet ~ 203.144.143.4 02:27, 22 September 2006 (EDT)

Drink

I've just read the warning in drink-section. I am in Phnom Penh every year. I think the contributor exaggerates a little bit, when he use this obtrusive box. I think this warning puts visitors off. And I think visiting these bars is not more dangerous than visiting a bar in an other country in Southeastasia. -- (WT-en) DerFussi 03:54, 22 September 2006 (EDT)

I rehashed that section a couple of days ago [1] and (I think!) toned it down slightly. I think most things in Cambodia have a little more risk involved than in, say, Thailand - ? ~ 203.144.143.4 04:13, 22 September 2006 (EDT)

I, personally, cannot confirm it. But the information can be useful. The text can stay there. But I think the infobox is more suitable than the warning box. -- (WT-en) DerFussi 06:11, 22 September 2006 (EDT)

Good idea - I've switched it. ~ 203.144.143.7 09:51, 22 September 2006 (EDT)

That's it. Looks good. OK - I have to admit - I am a little bit prejudiced. But it's my second homeland. So sorry. Greetings from Cottbus/Germany-- (WT-en) DerFussi 16:58, 22 September 2006 (EDT)

I too think the warning box is over the top. As far as I know no westerner has ever been injured in a Khmer club or bar. A Khmer was shot in Heart of Darkness where westerners were present. So based on that do we really need this? Am I missing something? I feel a lot safer here than in L.A.

If reports I've read elsewhere are correct, westerners have been assaulted in clubs/bars in Phnom Penh. ~ 203.144.143.6 21:04, 31 October 2006 (EST)

When?? Where??

I still can not confirm it. As I told you, I am there every year and I am very active in Cambodian forums. Never heared that a westeners has been injured in a club. -- (WT-en) DerFussi 07:42, 1 November 2006 (EST)

Gordon Sharpless, maintainer of Tales of Asia, states that there have been several cases of pistol-whipping and at least one barang was shot in the leg in Heart of Darkness. [2] (WT-en) Jpatokal 23:05, 1 November 2006 (EST)

Assault in Phnom Pehn Hello, I wish to share details about a very scary incident that happened to a fellow traveller and myself in Phnom Pehn on Tuesday, January 13, 2009.

I have emailed the Government of Cambodia and Phnom Pehn newspaper but have not had any response. I feel it is important to alert future travellers about this establishment and their treatment/assault of us.

Thank you.

Bonzai

To Who It May Concern.

Dear Sir or Madam. I am writing this email to inform your ministry about an unprovoked assault on myself and another traveller which took place this past Tuesday at Shanghai Bar and Grill in Phnom Phehn.

This event spoiled an otherwise incredible vacation experience within Cambodia which included time in Siem Reap, P.P. and Sanoukenville. I have been raving to friends and family about the beauty of this country and even more so that kindness, friendliness and warm hospitality of its people. Unfortunately, I left Cambodia having endured physical abuse and the fear of a mob action following the actions of the Australian bar owner of Shanghai bar and restaurant.

At the end of the night a young deaf English boy, another traveller and myself were winding down the evening. I went to the washing and came back to a very intimidating scene in which the Australian owner was accosting my fellow traveller.Apparently over the fact this poor kid with a hearing impediment had been 'talking' with the girls by exchanging notes as he could not otherwise communicate with them. Harmless and respectful fun.

Upon seeing this unnecessary, aggressive behavior I intervened; told the bar owner the boy was deaf and asked that he leave him alone. We were moving on. The owner proceeded to then tie into me for 'sticking my nose in' and then unprovoked blindsided me with three punches. Preparing to defend myself, we were set upon by his mob of hired Cambodian toughs in a very, very scary and volatile situation (one of which attacked me - again without provocation). Completely unnecessary and the owner's physical assault on both of us should held up to criminally responsible.

Pretty poor business practice to sucker punch your customers and then sic a gang of local hoods on them. The fact this foreigner has damaged your country's charm and beauty in our eyes is most disappointing. However I feel these actions should not go unreported to authorities and alerting future travellers about this incident and the way in which this foreigner conducts business in Cambodia .

Please be advised I have also sent a copy of this email to the news editor, Phnom Phehn Post.

This email will serve as a formal complaint which I will anticipate shall lead to investigation and potential action against this establishment and its owner.

Thank you in advance for time and consideration in this matter

Internet access, river vs. lake and motorbikes

Last time I was there (2006) internet access was $1 US, not 50c... picky, I know, but for the sake of accuracy...? Motos were also no longer available for hire in Cambodia outside Sihanoukville, according to enquiries, and I thought perhaps it might be worth make more of a point of the different areas-- river vs. lake? (Sorry, I'm sure you know their correct names!) In that these two areas are fairly far apart, geographically and in terms of a 'scene'- perhaps a comment on this and some sort of distinction to be made with the location of accomodation and/or restaurants/bars? I'd like these to be confirmed/denied before I go ahead and edit!

Another disagreement

I feel the following is at the least inaccurate - "its infrastructure is lacking, and it is very poor - much poorer than, for example, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), and Manila." While this may be true for the first two cities it isn't for Manila. I can only assume the writer of this part has either not been to Manila or has been only to the centre. So I'm changing it.

Happy Pizza

Does anyone know where to get real happy pizza in Phnom Penh? I've tried several places including the one listed in Lonely Planet with no luck whatsover. Any advice would be greatly appreciated esp to help pass the time until my next destination.

uh, there is like 4 spots right on sisowath where you can get em. where the heck did you try?

Needs address

I want a specific address for this apartment before the entry can go into the article. An address is conspicuously absent from the listing and the agency website. (WT-en) Gorilla Jones 18:55, 8 December 2008 (EST)

• Cambodia Uncovered,[3] This great boutique accommodation in central Phnom Penh (Boueng Keng Kong) offers a self-contained apartment for up to 4 people, along with satellite TV, DVD player, small verandah. $50 single, $60 double, including breakfast. Also arranges off the beaten track boat trips, up-country travel, and cooking classes. Phone: (+855) 012507097 email: info@cambodiauncovered.com

Sorry for my late reply - only saw your comment now. The couple who runs this place prefer not to have their address listed to avoid people showing up unannounced. Is an address a must? If so, I'd add that "advanced booking" is preferred. Let me know. Best, --(WT-en) Whladik 05:38, 10 January 2009 (EST)

Yeah, as long as the address is there, you can say that advance booking is preferred (or even required). (WT-en) Gorilla Jones 13:35, 10 January 2009 (EST)

Too much negativity

I must say that the safety precautions mentioned in the article leaves a reader with the impression he/she is going to nowadays Baghdad or Beirut in 1980s. There might have been some accidents involving foreigners like bag-snatching, dangerous driving and etc., but it is so worse at has been described, and it is clear exaggeration. It reminds me of how the domestic press here in Japan warns us about the increasing number of foreigners' crimes, but did not mention that the overall they decrease as relative number when Japanese crimes are counted to. The author has either been too biased because something happened to him/her, or never been to this part of the region, or is a fellow Japanese thinking everything should be as safe as Tokyo.

Me and my wife were so prepared that we were so stressed that could not enjoy the city. Great place, great people.

Whither a 3% surcharge on credit cards?

The article needs to clarify whether the 3% surcharge on using "plastic" comes from the Cambodian vendors or the customers' own credit card company--it is generally the latter. However if you get a card that does not have this fee (there are up to half a dozen in the U.S., you need to research them) this is not an issue (although I believe there can be a price hike if the local vendor "offers" to do perform the transaction in your home currency [since they will generally do it at an unfavorable exchange rate].71.173.186.79 12:11, 25 December 2010 (EST)

In most of SE Asia there is a % charge and it is made by the merchant, to cover the fees the credit card company charges them. It is on top of whatever you are billed by your credit card company, e.g. on a $100 sale you will be billed $103 and your credit card company will apply whatever exchange and other fees on that sum. (WT-en) Blorg 11:29, 26 February 2012 (EST)

Brick attacks

Just back from Phnom Penh. Heard nothing about brick attacks on Sisowath Quay. Are they still going on? Should we put the reference into the past tense as it is about 2010? What exactly are brick attacks anyway? (WT-en) Shep 15:12, 7 September 2011 (EDT)

People throwing bricks, I guess? --(WT-en) globe-trotter 15:57, 7 September 2011 (EDT)

Tables of bus prices

I'm not keen on the addition of tables of bus times and prices in the Get out section and would like to see them gone.

• The heading to the first table reads like an advert for a particular travel agency.
• The tables are quite overwhelming and take up a lot of space.
• Schedules change and the information will be obsolete very soon.

Any comments? (WT-en) Travelpleb 08:17, 18 May 2012 (EDT)

Specific names of places to pick up sex workers

Prostitution is illegal in Cambodia. In view of that and this site's sex tourism policy, I think that in "Stay healthy," specific names of places to pick up freelance prostitutes should not be mentioned. I'm also not comfortable with euphemisms like this one, in the listing for Martini Pub & Disco: "A place for single men and loose ladies." - if they really refer to prostitution. I think it is OK to mention in a specific listing of an otherwise interesting bar that a lot of soliciting takes place there, so that people who are not interested can avoid the bar. It's a fine line, but I think it's been crossed in this article. What do you think? Ikan Kekek (talk) 03:05, 2 December 2013 (UTC)

You ask what I think. I think it is no big deal. There is a reason why Bangkok has risen to the number one most-visited city in the world. It's not because people want to see the Mona Lisa. That's in Paris. Or the crown jewels. They're in London. They come because SE Asia has salubrious weather, decent food, is relatively cheap, and offers abundant, affordable sex. As our avowed purpose is to serve the traveller, let's provide truthful, relevant information. If one is looking for sex tourism, there are infinitely more informative websites than WV, so I don't think we are in danger of pandering to that crowd. We list churches, temples, LGBT haunts, and places that exploit animals. We promote seafood restaurants at a time when SE Asian waters are on a trajectory to the wholesale extinction of species. Worst, we promote mass tourism, maybe unforgivable if you consider CO2 emissions to be a credible threat to the planet. Inadvertently naming the names of some places where some penniless women are trying to make a buck is a very minor sin in my view. Seligne (talk) 13:26, 2 December 2013 (UTC)

Thanks for your thoughts. I would point out that in Thailand, prostitution is legal, whereas in Cambodia, it is illegal. Should that not enter into our decisions on how much information to provide about where to find prostitutes in Phnom Penh? Ikan Kekek (talk) 18:53, 2 December 2013 (UTC)

Prostitution in Thailand has been illegal since 1960. You make it sound like the PP article is a how-to guide to finding prostitutes. I don't find it that way at all. Let's hear from some other folks. Seligne (talk) 19:14, 2 December 2013 (UTC)

No, I don't think that this is a how-to guide for prostitution; I just think it may be on the other side of the line in terms of this site's sex tourism policy. But I do think that legality is an issue, too. And if prostitution is illegal in Thailand, Thailand#Prostitution needs to be edited:

"Technically, some aspects of prostitution in Thailand are illegal (e.g., soliciting, pimping), but enforcement is liberal and brothels are commonplace. It's not illegal to pay for sex due to the "Special Services" exemption in Thai law or to pay a 'bar fine'."

If it's not illegal to pay for sex, prostitution is not illegal. Ikan Kekek (talk) 05:03, 3 December 2013 (UTC)

---

Exegesis of the Thailand Prostitution Act:

"The Prostitution Act,10 which repealed the 1960 Prostitution Act, is the central legal framework prohibiting prostitution. The Prostitution Act was drafted vaguely and with certain qualifying language, which suggests enforcement of the law could be challenging.

Under the Prostitution Act, prostitution is defined as:

“Sexual intercourse, or any other act, or the commission of any other act in order to gratify the sexual desire of another person in a promiscuous manner in return for money or any other benefit, irrespective of whether the person who accepts the act and the person who commits the act are of the same sex or not.”11

The phrase “in a promiscuous manner” is not defined and places a qualifier on the crime of prostitution, which may contribute to difficulties in enforcing the prohibition against prostitution.

Solicitation by a prostitute is prohibited under Section 5 of the Prostitution Act:

“Any person who, for the purpose of prostitution, solicits, induces, introduces herself or himself to, follows or importunes a person in a street, public place or in any other place in an open and shameless manner or causes nuisance to the public, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding one thousand Baht.”12

Again, the phrase “in an open and shameless manner” is not defined and this qualifier on the crime of solicitation by a prostitute suggests that enforcement of this law may be difficult in situations where solicitation is discreet or subtle as might often be the case in private establishments."

See more at: http://www.impowr.org/content/current-legal-framework-prostitution-thailand#sthash.GSHnUxFg.dpuf

Looks illegal to trade sex for money to this layperson. Seligne (talk) 10:28, 3 December 2013 (UTC)

So I think Thailand#Prostitution could use some editing.

I should say, I don't believe in enforcing prudishness, nor am I necessarily resolute in favoring the current language in Wikivoyage:Sex tourism policy; it's just that as long as there's a consensus to maintain the current version of the sex tourism policy, we should do so. Whereupon, the question becomes whether we are or not. If no-one else gives an opinion, I may post to Requests for comment to (legally:-) solicit replies. I don't have any personal stake in the outcome. Ikan Kekek (talk) 11:06, 3 December 2013 (UTC)

Interesting subject. Looking into this has led me also to the realisation that our LGBT policy is ignored when calling out gay establishments separately. Seligne (talk) 12:34, 3 December 2013 (UTC)

Visas from agencies

Agencies are of cheaper than embassies. Vietnam is the classic example: the embassies (pretty much wherever in the world you apply) screw tourists by tripling the price (roughly $100 vs. the actual $30), but agencies know the real price and probably have a relationship with the embassy, which makes the $35 or whatever they charge seem not so bad. In addition to Vietnamese visas, I've also had experience of getting Chinese visas from an agency in Cambodia: if you do it yourself, the form is a four-page beast, but go to an agency and all they take is your passport and money: no form to mess about with, no tuk-tuk to the embassy.

As for visa extensions within Cambodia, agencies are better for that too: cheaper than the government immigration office itself (which obviously inflates the price just for fun) and no messing about with forms.

Overall, agencies in Cambodia are great for visas. That said, touting from one particular agency isn't such a good sign. (Also, Indonesia gives visas on arrival.)

Travelpleb (talk) 07:15, 4 August 2014 (UTC)

Thanks, Travelpleb. Are there too many agencies for it to be practical to list all of the reputable ones? If so, maybe it's best to make this general statement, probably in the "Go next" section. Ikan Kekek (talk) 07:38, 4 August 2014 (UTC)

I'm no an expert, and I've only used agencies in Siem Reap (all the more reason to have someone else run to Phnom Penh to go the embassy), but Lucky! Lucky! Motorcycle Shop in Phnom Penh

413Eo Monivong Blvd, Phnom Penh

T: 010 98 099; 099 808 788; 012 279 990

E: luckymotorcyclerental@yahoo.com

seems to have good things said about it by the internet people (whoever they are).Travelpleb (talk) 08:22, 4 August 2014 (UTC)

So let's list them. But I'd like for some other folks to comment on whether "Go next" is the best place to list them. I think so - it seems much more relevant there than in the "Buy" section. Ikan Kekek (talk) 08:27, 4 August 2014 (UTC)

Duplicate listing for museum

The National Museum is listed under both See and Buy, with some slight information differences. Not sure what the policy is on this, or which section it more closely belongs to. The only downside I can think of, other than lengthening the page, is hiding one of the map markers, if someone is looking for it. Could someone who knows more about this look into it? One of the information differences is the price, which may tell which listing is older. ARR8 (talk) 05:35, 10 September 2018 (UTC)

It should have a full listing in only one place: "See". If it's a really important place to buy things, it might possibly be mentioned in "Buy" with a reference to its "See" listing; this is exceptional but could be justifiable. Ikan Kekek (talk) 06:22, 10 September 2018 (UTC)

I went ahead and combined the listings. The only differences were the price and some of the prose information, so I checked the price on their website and consolidated the prose in order to keep all the information. —Granger (talk · contribs) 06:35, 10 September 2018 (UTC)

Agree on "see", there may be some smaller souvenir shop section, which I dont remember, but it is mainly a museum with exhibition. Dan Koehl (talk) 15:43, 10 September 2018 (UTC)

A Commons file used on this page has been nominated for deletion

The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page has been nominated for deletion:

• Olympic Stadium Phnom Penh tribuna 2012.jpg

Participate in the deletion discussion at the nomination page. —Community Tech bot (talk) 05:23, 25 June 2019 (UTC)

A Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion

The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion:

• Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium.jpg

Participate in the deletion discussion at the nomination page. —Community Tech bot (talk) 04:33, 9 November 2020 (UTC)

Not visible on the page. Ikan Kekek (talk) 05:11, 9 November 2020 (UTC)

A Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion

The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion:

• Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium.jpg

Participate in the deletion discussion at the nomination page. —Community Tech bot (talk) 08:26, 20 July 2021 (UTC)

Do we need to locally upload it, or should we just remove the photo altogether? SHB2000 (talk | contribs | meta.wikimedia) 09:33, 21 July 2021 (UTC)

Doesn't seem like a great or important photo to me. Ikan Kekek (talk) 10:03, 21 July 2021 (UTC)

Probably best to just let it go. SHB2000 (talk | contribs | meta.wikimedia) 10:15, 21 July 2021 (UTC)

A Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion

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On the page, but not an interesting building or photo to me. If anyone disagrees, this is nominated for deletion purely because of freedom of panorama issues, so it could be locally uploaded. Ikan Kekek (talk) 09:43, 2 January 2023 (UTC)