So, is Cambodia more expensive than Thailand? Or not?

[phycokiller]

as people have said, apart from big cities in asia everywhere is going to be cheaper then bangkok. phnom penh is pretty similar to pattaya. I wouldnt worry about the weed paranoia too much, theres bars in the tourist areas that sell it and you can smoke there as well. theyve been going for years with no problems that I have heard of. I wouldnt recommend openly selling it but its been part of their culture for millenniums and unless you stand on someones toes you will be fine. its not as much of a police state as thailand. also my power bill is less then $20, but I dont use aircon and use gas for cooking.

Edited July 15, 2017 by phycokiller

[chris455]

7 hours ago, phycokiller said:

as people have said, apart from big cities in asia everywhere is going to be cheaper then bangkok. phnom penh is pretty similar to pattaya.

 

I wouldnt worry about the weed paranoia too much, theres bars in the tourist areas that sell it and you can smoke there as well. theyve been going for years with no problems that I have heard of.

 

Phnom Penh is much cheaper than Pattaya.

 

Regarding Weed, you're wrong;  it's illegal and Tourists especially caught with it face hefty fines, or  possibly prison. Cambodia has recently toughened up it's Policing against drug use, in case you didn't know, and is no longer the free and easy place it once was.

Edited July 15, 2017 by chris455

[Sheryl]

8 hours ago, chris455 said:

 

Phnom Penh is much cheaper than Pattaya.

 

Regarding Weed, you're wrong;  it's illegal and Tourists especially caught with it face hefty fines, or  possibly prison. Cambodia has recently toughened up it's Policing against drug use, in case you didn't know, and is no longer the free and easy place it once was.

 

This is exactly correct.

 

That you see people doing illegal things doesn't mean that you can do the same and never be arrested. Foreigners can and have been arrested for weed. Some are doing serious jail time for it.

 

And please remember that discussion of illegal activity is against forum rules. Some posts removed accordingly.

[phycokiller]

could you please post a link to a news item where a tourist got a huge fine or long imprisonment for smoking weed in phnom penh then? also a link to evidence that it recently toughened up it's Policing against cannabis use.  I have lived here a few years and follow the news and I missed these items.

Edited July 16, 2017 by phycokiller

[chris455]

21 minutes ago, phycokiller said:

so post a link to a news item where a tourist got a huge fine or long imprisonment for smoking weed in phnom penh then?

 

YAWN!

 

In Cambodia there have been numerous well publicised raids where Cannabis suppliers, and  users have been found, and gotten into trouble. No doubt they had to pay their way out to freedom, and some have probably gotten imprisoned. There must also be loads of idiot travellers who get set up all the time in Phnom Penh, and are relieved of several hundred dollars, they probably don't go bragging about it though.Also, the riverside isn't where the majority of Tourists reside, so it's not the best place to gather your info.

 

It is 'semi legal' for CAMBODIANS, who use it in traditional cooking. This doesn't apply to Tourists. If you get caught doing something illegal, you WILL get done over in one way or another.

Edited July 16, 2017 by chris455

[bkk6060]

18 minutes ago, chris455 said:

 

YAWN!

 

In Cambodia there have been numerous well publicised raids where Cannabis suppliers, and  users have been found, and gotten into trouble. No doubt they had to pay their way out to freedom, and some have probably gotten imprisoned. There must also be loads of idiot travellers who get set up all the time in Phnom Penh, and are relieved of several hundred dollars, they probably don't go bragging about it though.Also, the riverside isn't where the majority of Tourists reside, so it's not the best place to gather your info.

 

It is 'semi legal' for CAMBODIANS, who use it in traditional cooking. This doesn't apply to Tourists. If you get caught doing something illegal, you WILL get done over in one way or another.

YAWN what??  You still have not answered the question or shown any proof.   Show us the "well publicised raids" you refer to and maybe we can move on.  Don't give out a bunch of false info.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

On 3/16/2016 at 0:34 AM, Lex Talionis said:

I've been living in Phnom Penh for the last three months and can compare it to Bangkok. PP is cheaper in every way except food. Western food that is. If you can eat Khmer then you're golden. But it just can't compare with Thai food. I've been learning to eat it via a KGF who is a good cook. But it's been a long, slow adjustment. It's an acquired taste.

A trip to a Lucky's or Bayon supermarket for western goods can send you into sticker shock real quick.

 

I'm not sure why you say sticker shock. I'm not familiar with all the items on your list.

 

But at least some of them -- the Post Shredded wheat cereal, the 500 ml EV olive oil, the Malee pineapple juice, the 500 ml of Listerine, etc --  are no higher and in some cases lower than the typical prices for those in Thailand.

 

--The Malee price i baht is about 70, and it's not uncommon for it to be priced at 69b here.

 

--The EV olive oil price in baht is 163b, and it's not uncommon for it to be 175 to 250b here depending on the brand.

 

--The 500 ml of Listerine's price in baht is 116b, and it often sells for more than that here in BKK.

 

[bkk6060]

I have been to Cambodia a couple of times and liked it.

It does not nearly have the modernization of Thailand.  But maybe for some, that is attractive.

I like both countries food.  I guess Kymer seems a little cheaper.

Hotels slightly cheaper also in Cambodia.

I found the company of a lady surprising  a little higher in Cambodia ( I am talking about in the cities).  Maybe I went to the wrong places.

Transportation maybe a little cheaper in Cambodia, but Taxis here are not exactly expensive.

 

I think it is close probably Cambodia is less, but not that much if you are having a good time.

 

One thing that I find rather stupid is asking guys  here what they like about Cambodia.  I get so many immediate responses: Its great, the beers are 50 cents!

Sounds like a really stupid reason to travel there just to save a buck on a beer. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[chris455]

3 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

One thing that I find rather stupid is asking guys  here what they like about Cambodia.  I get so many immediate responses: Its great, the beers are 50 cents!

Sounds like a really stupid reason to travel there just to save a buck on a beer.

 

I'm sure they mean that it's one good reason, amongst the many others, to be in Cambodia. Look at the prices of beer in Thailand! If you like to socialise and drink lots of beer, it can get very expensive in Thailand. No wonder their eyes light up when they see Cambodian prices, and find the beer tastes better!

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

There are lots of differences between someone looking as the place as a tourist vs someone looking at the place as a home.

 

Tourists look at hotel prices, restaurant prices more than groceries, ease and cost of local travel, etc.

 

Residents look at rent, utilities, grocery store prices, banking, medical care and cost, insurance, etc.

 

The expense outlook depends in part on which of the two scenarios one is considering.

[chris455]

6 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

There are lots of differences between someone looking as the place as a tourist vs someone looking at the place as a home.

 

Tourists look at hotel prices, restaurant prices more than groceries, ease and cost of local travel, etc.

 

Residents look at rent, utilities, grocery store prices, banking, medical care and cost, insurance, etc.

 

The expense outlook depends in part on which of the two scenarios one is considering.

I already hinted to that earlier.

 

Thailand has the edge for long term living, but Cambodia always wins for short term trips.

Edited July 17, 2017 by chris455

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

There have been loads of arrests on drug charges in Cambodia this year. 

 

https://cambodiaexpatsonline.com/newsworthy/cambodian-anti-drug-police-find-destroy-102-marijuana-plants-takeo-province-cambodia-t14427.html

 

https://cambodiaexpatsonline.com/newsworthy/two-nigerians-okoro-chukwuka-boniface-obiora-dozie-arrested-phnom-penh-for-trafficking-kilo-cocaine-t14418.html

 

https://cambodiaexpatsonline.com/newsworthy/second-takeo-marijuana-crackdown-this-week-nets-626-plants-t14331.html

 

https://cambodiaexpatsonline.com/newsworthy/thousands-marijuana-plants-burned-pursat-cambodia-t4823.html

 

And finally . . .

 

https://cambodiaexpatsonline.com/newsworthy/gov-crackdown-drugs-begin-jan-2017-t12021.html

[CharlieH]

The "bickerfest is over" posts removed!

Please do not discuss/ debate illegal activity.

[muratremix]

How about SHV prices?

is it more expensive compared to siem reap or same?

 

[chris455]

2 hours ago, muratremix said:

How about SHV prices?

is it more expensive compared to siem reap or same?

 

No, i believe it is cheaper than Siem Reap.

[Spock]

On 7/16/2017 at 9:06 PM, chris455 said:

 

YAWN!

 

In Cambodia there have been numerous well publicised raids where Cannabis suppliers, and  users have been found, and gotten into trouble. No doubt they had to pay their way out to freedom, and some have probably gotten imprisoned. There must also be loads of idiot travellers who get set up all the time in Phnom Penh, and are relieved of several hundred dollars, they probably don't go bragging about it though.Also, the riverside isn't where the majority of Tourists reside, so it's not the best place to gather your info.

 

It is 'semi legal' for CAMBODIANS, who use it in traditional cooking. This doesn't apply to Tourists. If you get caught doing something illegal, you WILL get done over in one way or another.

There have been one or two raids including an infamous one in Kampot, but otherwise Cambodia is fairly laid back, though the weed quality is not great, particularly in wet season. I have never heard of anyone of my acquaintance having a problem with police. It's those who don't smoke themselves who spread these stories about tourists getting set up etc. The tuk tuk drivers will try and panic you into believing weed is dangerous so they can rip you off. You don't know the facts and are just guessing. Like so many things of a borderline nature, you just have to be a bit discrete. 

Edited September 9, 2017 by Spock

[The manic]

You are wrong about weed and girls. It may or may not be cheaper but it is definitely less fun, more backward, poorer, underdeveloped and has more in common with Bangladesh or Burma than Thailand...

[milys]

From my experience Cambodia as a tourist is much more expensive than Thailand because as in Laos they import very much from Thailand. Much more people are trying to rip you off not to mention all these annoying beggars and tuk-tuk drivers. You pass a line with 10-15 drivers and all of them have to ask you if you need a ride. It's dirtier, noisier, smellier, and much more dangerous than Thailand, especially night time.

P.P. is just a disgusting stinking toilet. I guess you can live cheaper there if  you lower yourself to khmer standards and like to eat intestines. Coming back to Thailand even after just a couple of days is like " back to the civilization". Before you say I don't know nothing  and speak a lot of BS; I've been living  close to the khmer border for more than 10 years and I've been to Cambodia countless times. Most of the khmer people that I know who are living and working in Thailand agree with me. I wish you good luck.

[Hupaponics]

They stoped with the dual pricing? It was like in your face on the menus and everywhere, from how I remember it. 

 

And I agree with @milys it was like coming back to civilisation again. 

Almost like when I go to Ikea in Bkk, it feels like a luxury store:)

[InMyShadow]

If you thought renting a condo was expensive in Thailand your in for a huge shock in Cambodia. It's silly expensive for a genuine 3rd world sh#t hole

Mostly low rises and every room has bars on the windows due to rampant crime

Best buy a fire extinguisher as the rooms won't have a fire detection alarms.

[my friend I]

On 03/10/2017 at 12:00 AM, milys said:

From my experience Cambodia as a tourist is much more expensive than Thailand because as in Laos they import very much from Thailand. Much more people are trying to rip you off not to mention all these annoying beggars and tuk-tuk drivers. You pass a line with 10-15 drivers and all of them have to ask you if you need a ride. It's dirtier, noisier, smellier, and much more dangerous than Thailand, especially night time.

P.P. is just a disgusting stinking toilet. I guess you can live cheaper there if  you lower yourself to khmer standards and like to eat intestines. Coming back to Thailand even after just a couple of days is like " back to the civilization". Before you say I don't know nothing  and speak a lot of BS; I've been living  close to the khmer border for more than 10 years and I've been to Cambodia countless times. Most of the khmer people that I know who are living and working in Thailand agree with me. I wish you good luck.

There are towns in Cambodia that don't have beggars or tuktuks for hire. These same towns are not dirtier, noisier, smellier or more dangerous than Thailand. Go to Chiang Rai city especially in toxic smoke season.

Some things are more expensive in Cambodia but plenty are cheaper. I don't know an hotel anywhere in Thailand that can compare to this for USD6 a night.

[bkk6060]

Hey and the beers are 50 cents.

 

Cambodia is the biggest filth spot I have ever seen.  If anyone thinks Pattaya is bad go to Sihanoukville.

What a filthy hole of a place trash, garbage, feces everywhere.

PP is even worse.

I would not care if it was free, I will not go back disgusting place.

[Destiny1990]

Certainly sucks more then Thailand

[my friend I]

No doubt Sihanoukville, Siem Riep and most of Phnom Penh are typical third world cesspools but the rest of the country isn't although Koh Kong city is a dump.

[my friend I]

18 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Hey and the beers are 50 cents.

 

Cambodia is the biggest filth spot I have ever seen.  If anyone thinks Pattaya is bad go to Sihanoukville.

What a filthy hole of a place trash, garbage, feces everywhere.

PP is even worse.

I would not care if it was free, I will not go back disgusting place.

Well I don't drink. Also unlike Thailand the streets here are not full of blacked out drunks sleeping it off often sharing the sidewalk with dog feces. Following the floods in the south of Thailand an island formed off Chumporn made up of all the garbage washed into the sea.

 

Pattaya and Sihanoukville have the same type of westerners although Sihanoukville is now being taken over by Chinese gamblers..

 

Thailand has become a disgusting place over run by traffic with the world's second worst drivers and thick smog. Too many uncaring people.

[ding]

Please! All contribute data to this site.

You can compare costs between cities and countries.

https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?country1=Cambodia&country2=Vietnam&city1=Sihanoukville&city2=Nha+Trang&tracking=getDispatchComparison

 

Great thread, keep it going!

:cheers:

[The manic]

Weed is not semi legal. Girls are not more friendly. Transport and infrastructure poor. And the place is full of Indian style beggars. Bangladesh is probably more fun.

[theguyfromanotherforum]

On 10/27/2016 at 1:17 PM, Anthony5 said:

 

So you want to compare Sukhumvit or Sathorn with any area in PP?

 

Why not. It's not Manhattan.

[bkk6060]

Just now, The manic said:

Weed is not semi legal. Girls are not more friendly. Transport and infrastructure poor. And the place is full of Indian style beggars. Bangladesh is probably more fun.

I agree with you.

Don't know about Bangladesh, but Cambodia is a step way way lower then Thailand. The place is a filthy lowlife cesspool and the girls unfortunately seem very spoiled. 

I think it is a joke compared to Thailand, but some seem to prefer.

Siem Reap is fun for 2 days I guess. Otherwise, whatever......

[my friend I]

Siem Reap is the worst place in Cambodia. Maybe go more than a few miles from an international airport.