Hey,

 

I am just back from a run across Isaan, Bangkok, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap — a trip that showed me both the best of the region and some surprisingly empty tourism hotspots.

 

Nakhon Phanom – A Real Isaan Standout

 

Nakhon Phanom was one of the highlights. The Rama Dynasty Museum is excellent, the Mekong views across to Laos are fantastic, and the night market is enormous — it feels like it goes on forever, packed with proper local food and atmosphere. Easily one of the most underrated cities in Thailand.

 

Bangkok – Sukhumvit 11 Wins

 

From there, we moved on to Bangkok and stayed at the Solitaire on Sukhumvit 11. Comfortable hotel, popular with Indian families, and a very good rooftop Indian restaurant. I much prefer Sukhumvit 11 over Sukhumvit 4/Nana — cleaner, calmer, and a far more pleasant place to stay.

 

Phnom Penh – New Airport, Few Passengers

 

We flew into the brand-new Techno International Airport, which is vast, modern and still partly unfinished. It’s impressive… but oddly quiet. Almost everything is automated if you’ve done the e-Visa and digital arrival card, meaning immigration barely has anything to do.

 

I booked Tap Taxi — an SUV to downtown for $19 — and the new road network is excellent. We stayed at Sun & Moon Urban Hotel, a great base in the centre. Phnom Penh delivered a delightful four-day stay, and it was good catching up with friends who have moved there from Pattaya.

 

Siem Reap – Beautiful Airport, Almost Empty

 

Siem Reap’s new airport is just as modern, but even quieter — only two aircraft on the tarmac when we passed through. Tourism is clearly soft. Koulen Central Hotel, however, was superb value: big rooms, good facilities, friendly staff. Several workers mentioned how difficult business has been lately.

 

Tourism Thoughts

 

There’s a lot of talk about border issues between Thailand and Cambodia, but I’m not convinced the land border situation is the main reason for the downturn.

 

Most tourists fly in; land borders are more for visa runners, freight and casino traffic, not Angkor visitors. The slowdown feels broader and more complicated than a simple border dispute.

 

Overall, it was an enjoyable, smooth journey — great destinations, impressive infrastructure — but Cambodia’s tourism numbers look noticeably thin.

2 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

Almost everything is automated if you’ve done the e-Visa and digital arrival card, meaning immigration barely has anything to do.

 

Oh, they're very busy alright - experienced it first hand - they're looking for Thai nationals and single them out for special negative treatment. Been there - seen it in the new airport.

Having none of that crap so I simply packed all my stuff, booked another flight and left - never to return. Meh. If I want to move elsewhere for a while again during another tax year where I liquidate a large holding I'll just go to Vietnam - no big deal.

 

On 12/2/2025 at 5:06 AM, Scouse123 said:

Hey,

 

I am just back from a run across Isaan, Bangkok, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap — a trip that showed me both the best of the region and some surprisingly empty tourism hotspots.

 

Nakhon Phanom – A Real Isaan Standout

 

Nakhon Phanom was one of the highlights. The Rama Dynasty Museum is excellent, the Mekong views across to Laos are fantastic, and the night market is enormous — it feels like it goes on forever, packed with proper local food and atmosphere. Easily one of the most underrated cities in Thailand.

 

Bangkok – Sukhumvit 11 Wins

 

From there, we moved on to Bangkok and stayed at the Solitaire on Sukhumvit 11. Comfortable hotel, popular with Indian families, and a very good rooftop Indian restaurant. I much prefer Sukhumvit 11 over Sukhumvit 4/Nana — cleaner, calmer, and a far more pleasant place to stay.

 

Phnom Penh – New Airport, Few Passengers

 

We flew into the brand-new Techno International Airport, which is vast, modern and still partly unfinished. It’s impressive… but oddly quiet. Almost everything is automated if you’ve done the e-Visa and digital arrival card, meaning immigration barely has anything to do.

 

I booked Tap Taxi — an SUV to downtown for $19 — and the new road network is excellent. We stayed at Sun & Moon Urban Hotel, a great base in the centre. Phnom Penh delivered a delightful four-day stay, and it was good catching up with friends who have moved there from Pattaya.

 

Siem Reap – Beautiful Airport, Almost Empty

 

Siem Reap’s new airport is just as modern, but even quieter — only two aircraft on the tarmac when we passed through. Tourism is clearly soft. Koulen Central Hotel, however, was superb value: big rooms, good facilities, friendly staff. Several workers mentioned how difficult business has been lately.

 

Tourism Thoughts

 

There’s a lot of talk about border issues between Thailand and Cambodia, but I’m not convinced the land border situation is the main reason for the downturn.

 

Most tourists fly in; land borders are more for visa runners, freight and casino traffic, not Angkor visitors. The slowdown feels broader and more complicated than a simple border dispute.

 

Overall, it was an enjoyable, smooth journey — great destinations, impressive infrastructure — but Cambodia’s tourism numbers look noticeably thin.

Oh what a beautiful informative post by a beautiful man Scouse 

Thankyou for your service Sir and your Seal duty and SAS duty

4 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

Oh what a beautiful informative post by a beautiful man Scouse 

Thankyou for your service Sir and your Seal duty and SAS duty

What are you talking about?

 

Nurse, he's off his meds and out of bed again!😂😂😂😂

4 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

Oh what a beautiful informative post by a beautiful man Scouse 

Thankyou for your service Sir and your Seal duty and SAS duty

 

What a stupid, ridiculous off-topic response!

Nakhon Phanom,

 

I'll be back there for sure!

 

 

 

Phnom Penh hotel.

 

The Sun and Moon urban hotel.