Burma Bill

Rhesus Negative???

Very much so. When I opened my account, the bank (J Trust Royal) set it up as a $ account. Currently, most ATMs in Siem Reap issue only 100$ bills. The days of smaller 50$, 20$ and 10$ bills are more or less over because the Cambodian Government is promoting the Riel. If I want smaller $ bills, I go to my bank and withdraw them over the counter. Although my account is $, I can withdraw Riels from ATMs, or over the counter, for the local family shops and markets where $ are rarely accepted. (same for cashless smartphone apps etc.) For reference: The ATMs in the Immigration Hall at Siem Reap Airport do issue lower value $ bills so that you can pay the 30$ for a VISA ON ARRIVAL which will take up one page in your passport.

With respect, may I add a reference. I also had an ABA account, but the bank withdrew Personal Internet Banking on computers and laptops in favour of smartphones. I now use J Trust Royal Bank which offers and supports Personal Internet Banking on computers and laptops (also smartphones of course). The branch in Siem Reap has just been completely refurbished and the staff extremely helpful. Thank you.

Not at all - he is in the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. Like Thailand, Cambodia is a Constitutional Monarchy where Royal Decrees are issued. The PM's of both countries are "in control". For reference:- King Norodom Sihamoni has appointed former National Assembly President Heng Samrin, former Prime Minister Hun Sen, former Interior Minister Sar Kheng, former Defence Minister Tea Banh and former Minister of National Assembly-Senate Relations Men Sam An as members of the Supreme Privy Council of the King. https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501347410/hun-sen-made-privy-council-president/

I am a UK ex-pat living in Siem Reap for the past 3 years. Unfortunately I cannot comment on Phnom Penh, Battambang or other Provincial cities as I am not familiar with them other than as a tourist. There are many ex-pats in Siem Reap. Retirement Visa (must be 55 years or older):- On entering Cambodia, on arrival at point of entry (land or air), get an ORDINARY visa (tick the appropriate small box on the application form). Do not tick the "Tourist" box. This visa which is stuck into your valid passport allows you 30 days and costs 30$. This was convenient for me as it allowed me time to settle into my new accomodation, set up a Cambodian bank account (not necessary for a visa) and, most importantly, get registered free on FPCS (Foreigners Present in Cambodia System) once you have found suitable accomodation. The onus for registering is down to your landlord, hotel manager etc. and not you, so ask. Before the 30 days expires, go to an official visa agent, usually incorporated within most travel agencies. You do not deal with Immigration itself. Present your valid passport (with the initial Ordinary visa), 2 recent pp photos, visible evidence of FPCS registration (smartphone or paper copy) and 300$ (this can vary slightly). My current one cost me 290$ for 1 year. You do not have to show the Thai scam of money in the bank. The agent sends your passport and application form etc. to Phnom Penh for processing by Immigration. This usually takes 10 working days and the agent notifies you on its return. SO take a copy of your passport with the initial Ordinary visa - no problems with copies as everyone knows of the "10 day process". On return, your passport will display a Retirement (ER) visa which also incorporates Multiple Re-enteries. There are no 90 day reports, so you repeat the process one year later. There are 6 month (and shorter) retirement visas. Banks and Finances There are many safe and reputable banks in Cambodia, the most popular being ABA (Associated Bank of Asia - part of the Bank of Canada group). For reference: However, the biggest banks in Cambodia are considered to be ACLEDA Bank Plc, Canadia Bank, ABA Bank, Foreign Trade Bank of Cambodia (FTB), Union Commercial Bank (UCB), J Trust Royal Bank (formerly ANZ Royal), Vattanac Bank, Maybank, BRED Bank (Maybank is Malaysian) I receive 3 UK pensions which are paid in GBP. These are converted into US$ and credited to my Cambodian bank account. A fee of 10US$ is charged for each pension. I have a debit card but not allowed a credit card. I have the option of withdrawing Khmer Riels at ATMs. I am not a financial "whiz-kid" or investor so I cannot comment on such matters. Siem Reap is a safe city, however as elsewhere in the World, be cautious at night (Phnom Penh as I have been informed).

Yes, possibly so. For reference (january 2019):- This week, Caixin discovered her (Yingluk) in a less-expected place — working as the chairwoman of a Guangdong-based port operator. Sources at Shantou International Container Terminals Ltd. confirmed that Yingluck, 51, began serving as the company’s chairwoman and its legal representative on Dec. 12. (2018) .............. Shantou International operates in the Shantou Port area, a key transit point for goods flowing to eastern Guangdong, a rich industrial province in China’s south. The company is 70% owned by Hutchison Port Group Co. Ltd., itself a subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd., the sprawling conglomerate built by Hong Kong’s richest man, Li Ka-Shing .................... Yingluck is a fourth-generation Thai-Chinese and her family is rumored to have high-level connections within the Chinese government.................. Yingluck and Thaksin were reported to have visited relatives at their ancestral home in the city of Meizhou in eastern Guangdong. https://www.caixinglobal.com/2019-01-07/former-thai-leader-serving-as-chairwoman-of-chinese-port-operator-101367311.html

An interesting post. I have never used a pawn shop, but on many occasions when I lived in Thailand, I used to pawn my gold necklace at local gold shops whenever I needed emergency funds, mainly medical bills, as I do not qualify for medical insurance. Always got "the going rate" and never scammed. I always repaid within 2 months when my 3 pensions were credited to my bank account. I rarely took the full value, just borrowing 15,000 or 20,000 baht using my necklace as security.

Close Facebook and promote Tik-Tok???

As a former "country bumpkin" ex-pat who lived in Lanna for several years, I wish you, Mister T, a speedy recovery and a quick return to your family home in Chiang Mai.

Yes indeed. As a so-called "yellow shirt" Deputy Prime Minister under PM Abhisit (reference Wikipedia) After several Criminal court rulings that deaths and injuries sustained by Red-Shirt protesters during the political unrest in April and May 2010 were the direct result of orders to soldiers given by Suthep Thaugsuban ...........public prosecutors and police agreed to file murder charges against him.[20][21] Suthep along with Abhisit was also found responsible by the Court for the assassination of Italian journalist Fabio Polenghi, who was covering the 2010 protests.[22][23]

Maybe the Russians with "Telegram" as well???

Really??

OMG - things have certainly changed since my last visit to Patong in 2000!

As a former country bumpkin living in Thailand, Bangkok always was a poxy city!!

Yes indeed, thanks. Just imagine how many thousands of tourists not being able to contact family/friends back home with holiday experiences and photos. TAT take note!

What on earth is the relevence of this to the murder report? RIP young man.

Eyes glued to a smartphone?

Very much so, thanks. 2027 may see the opening of the HSR between Bangkok and Korat, Phase 1, but onwards to Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Nong Khai and across the Mekong on a new bridge to Vientiane will be in the 2030's! No construction has started on Phase 2 which is in limbo until a new Government is formed. Picture of the proposed new HSR bridge across the Mekong between Nong Khai and Vientiane. https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011090

Monk goes viral for auto rubbish-collecting Holy sh.t!

I live in a suburb (Sangat) of Siem Reap City. Expat medical insurance is available, in fact as I type, an advert for such insurance flashes across my computer screen offering "up to 40% off". I cannot get medical insurance because I am an insulin dependent Diabetic with blood pressure problems. From experience, after having made enquiries, anyone over 65 wanting insurance of any kind could have difficulty in Cambodia. My daily routine would be very boring to most people. Domestic chores, do all of my own cooking, into town by tuk-tuk for the supermarket, pharmacy, bank, laundry and other shops. Most days I stay at home and work at my computer. Evenings are spent watching videos on You Tube. Now and again I treat myself to dinner at my favourite restaurant. I also take a ride to Angkor Wat and the other temples as I get a free annual pass to the Archaeological Park. Any foreigner who has resided in Cambodia continually for 2 years is entitled to one which is renewable each year. Ocassionally I join my landlord on the veranda for Gin & Tonic "sundowners".

LOS - Land of Scams - again!!

No partner, I have always taken care of myself. My Khmer landlord and his family kindly assist me if needed. Yes, I have several Khmer friends who I met whilst on holiday trips from Khon Kaen with Air Asia. They helped to arrange and organise accomodation etc. for my arrival from Thailand. IMO the Khmer folk are much friendlier than the Thais.

I can only comment on Siem Reap where I have lived for the past 3 years, after leaving Thailand where I lived for 20 years. My main reason for leaving Thailand was the hassle free system to get a one year retirement visa (if you are 55 or older). No "money in the bank" scam, no bureaucratic bank/administrative paperwork, no bank account and no 90 day reports. During the pandemic, Siem Reap underwent a massive infrastructure improvement project and now we have new roads, traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, dedicated cycle lanes, safe pavements, footpaths, riverside walks and revitalised parks. (including the Angkor Wat complex with restoration work). Pub Street is in full swing with many tourists as I noticed this evening. Many of the bars and restaurants have been rebuilt or refurbished. Being 79 years old, nightlife is no longer an issue for me. Alcoholic drinks (beers, spirits, wines and ciders) are infinitely cheaper than in Thailand. A glass of one of the draught Cambodian beers can be 50 cents (18 baht). I can buy a 1 litre bottle of Gordons Gin for 12$ (440 baht). Being a diabetic, the availability of low sugar/sugar free products is so much better than in Thailand, with many imported from the UK. Overall I find it much cheaper to live here than in Thailand. On the down side are medical facilities should you need hospitalisation for major treatment. There are many private medical and dental clinics in Siem Reap offering basic treatment but should you need major surgery etc. this will be very expensive. In fact many monied Khmer patients go to Bangkok or, like my landlord and his family, across the border to the Thai Government Hospital in Ubon Ratchathani as private patients. I do not regret my move and it was one of the better decisions in my life.

With respect, this may appear so, but intelligence may be available that is deemed "not of interest to the public domain" whilst further investigations continue. A sad operation - yes indeed with so many pangolins being slaughtered BUT their scales have not reached the Chinese Traditional Medicine market possibly creating many "sick" Chinese. Reference Google: The Squama Manitis (pangolin scale) is a medicinal material in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), commonly used to promote lactation in women and reduce swelling.

WOW! that is a lot of unfortunate Pangolins. I wonder what happened to their carcases? The shy, harmless pangolin is becoming increasingly well known for one reason: It’s believed to be the world’s most trafficked non-human mammal. Tens of thousands of pangolins are poached every year, killed for their scales for use in traditional Chinese medicine and for their meat, a delicacy among some ultra-wealthy in China and Vietnam. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/pangolins