Why are Cambodian people so friendly?

[Don Giovanni]

3 minutes ago, marin said:

What happened to the wedding bob/don? You have been frantically posting since 9am this morning. Looks like over 100 posts. Not much time for the wedding you are attending. Come all the way from Kobe for your mates wedding and blow him off. Not really a nice thing to do. But shows to your character. 

back at the hotel now.

with some of my friends from the wedding snorting ko-kane.

 

what's your problem now boyo?

 

The Don.

[rough diamond]

12 minutes ago, marin said:

What happened to the wedding bob/don? You have been frantically posting since 9am this morning. Looks like over 100 posts. Not much time for the wedding you are attending. Come all the way from Kobe for your mates wedding and blow him off. Not really a nice thing to do. But shows to your character. 

You didn't believe Bob was "back" in Thailand for a wedding did you?

[marin]

15 minutes ago, rough diamond said:

You didn't believe Bob was "back" in Thailand for a wedding did you?

Hell no!!!  I have no idea where lying bob is, but he sure as hell was not at a wedding. Compulsive liar trying to come off as something else. Not a minute one for the wedding just inane post after inane post. Poor guys whole life is based on fantasy and "look at me". 🤣

[newbee2022]

22 hours ago, Don Giovanni said:

Apologies about the multiple topics but I am now bored to tears at this wedding reception..

 

I recently went to Cambodia for 2 weeks and found the people there to be incredibly friendly and welcoming, but also in a natural sense, not a transactional one..

 

Why do you think this is?

 

The Don.

...because they were colonized 👍

[ujayujay]

23 hours ago, Don Giovanni said:

Nom Pen, Siem Ream and Ban Lung/Rattanakiri.

 

Why?

 

The Don.

Ah...Nom Pen....interresting

[Harrisfan]

Any cool mountain areas in Cambodia?

[metisdead]

Inflammatory baiting troll posts have been removed.

[Stevemercer]

What I liked about Cambodia was no dogs all over the place. The few I did see were skinny, starved and cancerous looking. The little kids tend to swarm all over you at tourism places. The beggars won't take Riel, American dollars only. The women are fantastic. I have to say the most memorable massages I have ever had were in Sien Reap from women just in from the countryside.

 

But the infrastructure is poor. Driving back into Thailand and Thailand looks so modern, prosperous and clean. Similar jump in standrds as going from Thailand to a modern western country.

[Burma Bill]

On 4/4/2025 at 10:37 AM, Don Giovanni said:

Apologies about the multiple topics but I am now bored to tears at this wedding reception..

 

I recently went to Cambodia for 2 weeks and found the people there to be incredibly friendly and welcoming, but also in a natural sense, not a transactional one..

 

Why do you think this is?

 

The Don.

 

Very much so and one of the reasons I left Thailand after 20 years, to continue happy retirement in Siem Reap - now 5 years.

[PopGun]

On 4/4/2025 at 7:17 AM, Don Giovanni said:

Quite still and quiet, but they love it up trap two...

 

The Don

Using the front entrance is far safer than blocking the rear exit.

 

That's assuming you are hetrosexual.

[PopGun]

21 hours ago, marin said:

Hell no!!!  I have no idea where lying bob is, but he sure as hell was not at a wedding. Compulsive liar trying to come off as something else. Not a minute one for the wedding just inane post after inane post. Poor guys whole life is based on fantasy and "look at me". 🤣

So, he's a Walter Mitty character, is he causing any harm to anyone 🤷

[xylophone]

3 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

 

Very much so and one of the reasons I left Thailand after 20 years, to continue happy retirement in Siem Reap - now 5 years.

I occasionally think about moving to Siam Reap to finish my retirement, as when I visited there a few years ago I thought it was a nice place with very friendly people.

 

However I did read somewhere that it has been spoilt somewhat by the Chinese......your thoughts on that would be appreciated (by PM if you wish). Thanks.

[PopGun]

29 minutes ago, xylophone said:

I occasionally think about moving to Siam Reap to finish my retirement, as when I visited there a few years ago I thought it was a nice place with very friendly people.

 

However I did read somewhere that it has been spoilt somewhat by the Chinese......your thoughts on that would be appreciated (by PM if you wish). Thanks.

Sadly, I think,

Siam Reap is heading for the same fate as Sihanoukville, under the influence of Chinese investors.

 

[still kicking]

On 4/4/2025 at 11:52 AM, Don Giovanni said:

Absolutely.

 

They couldn't do enough for me.

 

I felt like royalty there.. 

 

The Don.

What are you doing in Thailand then?

[nightfox]

Their not that friendly when a local steals your phone as petty crime is rife in Cambodia, especially Phnom Phen. Much worse then Bangkok. 

[rough diamond]

28 minutes ago, still kicking said:

What are you doing in Thailand then?

Bob is making up more false tales and fables!

[Burma Bill]

3 hours ago, xylophone said:

I occasionally think about moving to Siam Reap to finish my retirement, as when I visited there a few years ago I thought it was a nice place with very friendly people.

 

However I did read somewhere that it has been spoilt somewhat by the Chinese......your thoughts on that would be appreciated (by PM if you wish). Thanks.

 I hope you do not mind me replying in open forum, maybe some of the information is of interest to others.

It is Sihanoukville that has been ruined by Chinese domination and business and there is now a growing presence in Phnom Penh.

Siem Reap is different in that high-rise condos, hotels and offices etc. are banned, nothing higher than 5 floors due to the presence of nearby Angor Wat, a religious site (one looks up to Buddha, not downwards!)

During the Covid period and beyond, massive infrastructure projects were completed providing improved roads, pavements/sidewalks, gardens, parks, cycle lanes, traffic lights and pedestrian crossings.  New hotels, restaurants and shops have been built, others redecorated and modernised. Pub Street has become civilised with ghetto blasting street music now banned. There are many new bars, supermarkets and restaurants,  The skyline is dominated by a Japanese owned "Siem Reap Eye", like the London Eye but smaller (cannot exceed 5 floors in height). Extensive restorations and improvements are on-going at the Angor Wat complex with the emphasis on tree planting on land reclaimed from the removal of many ramshackle food and souvenir huts. 

Inconveniently, the new Siem Reap International Airport is 40 kilometres or so from town and is owned and operated by the Chinese (Yunnan Aviation Service).

There are many apartments to rent but no condos in tall buildings. This means that there is a distinct lack of lifts/elevators so if you have mobility problems please bear this in mind. 

 

[xylophone]

4 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

 I hope you do not mind me replying in open forum, maybe some of the information is of interest to others.

It is Sihanoukville that has been ruined by Chinese domination and business and there is now a growing presence in Phnom Penh.

Siem Reap is different in that high-rise condos, hotels and offices etc. are banned, nothing higher than 5 floors due to the presence of nearby Angor Wat, a religious site (one looks up to Buddha, not downwards!)

During the Covid period and beyond, massive infrastructure projects were completed providing improved roads, pavements/sidewalks, gardens, parks, cycle lanes, traffic lights and pedestrian crossings.  New hotels, restaurants and shops have been built, others redecorated and modernised. Pub Street has become civilised with ghetto blasting street music now banned. There are many new bars, supermarkets and restaurants,  The skyline is dominated by a Japanese owned "Siem Reap Eye", like the London Eye but smaller (cannot exceed 5 floors in height). Extensive restorations and improvements are on-going at the Angor Wat complex with the emphasis on tree planting on land reclaimed from the removal of many ramshackle food and souvenir huts. 

Inconveniently, the new Siem Reap International Airport is 40 kilometres or so from town and is owned and operated by the Chinese (Yunnan Aviation Service).

There are many apartments to rent but no condos in tall buildings. This means that there is a distinct lack of lifts/elevators so if you have mobility problems please bear this in mind. 

I have attached my photo of a view of Siem Reap from the big wheel ËYE". 

 

https://scontent.fpnh1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/472208177_1979254155820203_2578002236982191949_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=OvWIGPod-MkQ7kNvwEZCrP6&_nc_oc=Adna3rE1yJeuFSxOjMCYQLUjAtIBY6K_iRfTdsawTmWiUDk7u-ca-mtU0sLqxk9Bofw&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.fpnh1-2.fna&_nc_gid=crRRBujKwOgHxSf8xrYujw&oh=00_AYE_i7AEnv0BJcGcD8a0uuCIs29-4cOSu2NuaCf2C5oI_Q&oe=67F70BD6

Many thanks Bill and good to know that "pub street" is still alive and kicking as the saying goes, as I ate there afew times and thought it was very good! 

 

Now how about the cost of accomodation........a one bedroom apartment, for example, or something similar?

 

Last but not least, what are the medical facilities like, as I am 77 years old so may have the need forthem in the near future.....thanks for yor help. Xylo.

[Tomtomtom69]

On 4/4/2025 at 11:42 AM, jayboy said:

 

That's good to hear and mirrors my own experience in Cambodia. The one exception was the immigration guy at Siem Reap airport whose surly rudeness and indifference was at a comically high level.

 

My experience is similar - Cambodian border officials (I've entered and exited at every land border Cambodia shares with Thailand, the one with Laos and a number of the Vietnamese ones, as well as Siem Reap and Phnom Penh airports) are almost universally unfriendly. Customs officials are mostly friendly though, even at Poipet (if you bring your own car in for example).

 

The Cambodian people in general, are remarkably friendly overall, with the exception of immigration officials. 

 

Thai immigration officials are friendly at remote border crossings whereas Thai people are 50/50. Some are friendly others are rather surly. 

[wavodavo]

On 4/4/2025 at 1:37 PM, Don Giovanni said:

Apologies about the multiple topics but I am now bored to tears at this wedding reception..

 

I recently went to Cambodia for 2 weeks and found the people there to be incredibly friendly and welcoming, but also in a natural sense, not a transactional one..

 

Why do you think this is?

 

The Don.

Hey Don / Bobby Boy.why don't you go there to live and give us all a break.

[Burma Bill]

17 hours ago, xylophone said:

Many thanks Bill and good to know that "pub street" is still alive and kicking as the saying goes, as I ate there afew times and thought it was very good! 

 

Now how about the cost of accomodation........a one bedroom apartment, for example, or something similar?

 

Last but not least, what are the medical facilities like, as I am 77 years old so may have the need forthem in the near future.....thanks for yor help. Xylo.

 

Hi Xylo,

 

Regarding accommodation, you may find this website of interest (rather than me rattling along!). I believe it is an Australian/Khmer company - no Chinese- and is popular throughout Cambodia.

Select your filter properties for example Siem Reap/apartments/ 250$ per month and see the results for rent or buy. Please remember less expensive apartments are rented very quickly and, as I previously stated, there are no tall condo blocks. I rent the complete first floor of a new villa in a suburb for 350US$ per month. There are two toilet/shower rooms, one in the bedroom and one in the lounge. I pay extra for electricity (which is more expensive than in Thailand because we have to buy from Thailand.) Government water supply is included as is waste disposal. I share the internet cost with my landlord. Fans throughout with air-con in the bedroom.

 

https://ips-cambodia.com/residential/ (having problem with this)  TRY internet search on Google etc. for IPS Cambodia

 

Regarding medical facilities, they are less advanced than in Thailand. There is one large Government Hospital in Siem Reap part of which has recently been rebuilt, with other areas modernised, from aid donated by Japan.  However, there are many private clinics and some private hospitals, the most horrendously expensive being The Royal Angkor, Bangkok Hospital Group. ( Need I say more!). I use the Neak Tep Private hospital which is sufficient for most illnesses, but should I need more specialised advice and treatment, I and many Cambodians, cross the border to Thai hospitals in Ubon Ratchathani. I am also a registered patient with the private Ratchaphruek Hospital in Khon Kaen (Thailand) and recently drove there (7 hours) for specialist orthopedic treatment. 

 

I trust this information will be of use. 

Enjoy life - I do!

[xylophone]

49 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

 

Hi Xylo,

 

Regarding accommodation, you may find this website of interest (rather than me rattling along!). I believe it is an Australian/Khmer company - no Chinese- and is popular throughout Cambodia.

Select your filter properties for example Siem Reap/apartments/ 250$ per month and see the results for rent or buy. Please remember less expensive apartments are rented very quickly and, as I previously stated, there are no tall condo blocks. I rent the complete first floor of a new villa in a suburb for 350US$ per month. There are two toilet/shower rooms, one in the bedroom and one in the lounge. I pay extra for electricity (which is more expensive than in Thailand because we have to buy from Thailand.) Government water supply is included as is waste disposal. I share the internet cost with my landlord. Fans throughout with air-con in the bedroom.

 

https://ips-cambodia.com/residential/ (having problem with this)  TRY internet search on Google etc. for IPS Cambodia

 

Regarding medical facilities, they are less advanced than in Thailand. There is one large Government Hospital in Siem Reap part of which has recently been rebuilt, with other areas modernised, from aid donated by Japan.  However, there are many private clinics and some private hospitals, the most horrendously expensive being The Royal Angkor, Bangkok Hospital Group. ( Need I say more!). I use the Neak Tep Private hospital which is sufficient for most illnesses, but should I need more specialised advice and treatment, I and many Cambodians, cross the border to Thai hospitals in Ubon Ratchathani. I am also a registered patient with the private Ratchaphruek Hospital in Khon Kaen (Thailand) and recently drove there (7 hours) for specialist orthopedic treatment. 

 

I trust this information will be of use. 

Enjoy life - I do!

Many, many thanks Bill and I will get into this tomorrow. Xylo