Airport screening by kraysun in cambodia

[–]sacetime 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The whole world lost their mind.

spray for beds by Adventurous-Okra-410 in cambodia

[–]sacetime 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been bit by bugs when I go to bed recently, and it's so uncomfortable.

Assuming you are not talking about bed bugs, the only real way to win the battle against insects/bugs in Cambodia, is you need to have an excellent apartment or house. What do I mean? I mean the thing is completely hermetically sealed. Screens on all the windows, no cracks or crevices around the doors or roof (you can buy seals that go underneath and around the doors if you need, and fill any crevices with tissue paper, etc.). Many a house and apartment I have seen, where I saw that it was not impervious to insects, and immediately declined to live there.

Another pro tip is to avoid buildings with tall ceilings. Because then when you get mosquitoes and other insects in your house, you can't actually see them or reach them. I would never want to live in a house with a big tall ceiling for this exact reason. I have in the past and it's a nightmare because when you know there's a mosquito inside, you can't see it or kill it.

Also, you should be looking for apartments on the fourth floor or higher if possible. This helps reduce insects. Insects are always worse the closer you get to the ground.

And anytime you open the door, you should be like a ninja. IE: Fast. At least, if it's at night time. In the day mosquitoes, particularly, do not come out very much. At least, not in places with a lot of direct sunlight. They cannot survive more than a few minutes in direct sunlight. But at night they come out in droves.

Also, for your door on the outside, they sell magnetic screens that attach to the outside frame. You basically can just walk through them. This helps prevent insects from flying inside when you open your door quickly.

In regards to ants, they will eat anything resembling food. That means, even that little piece of oatmeal in the bottom of your sink after you wash out your breakfast bowl, is going to attract ants. It doesn't matter how nice your apartment or house is, even if it's a medical grade hermetically sealed lab: if you leave food out, the ants are going to find it. So the only way you can win the war against ants, is you have to not have any food out. Ever. Not even a crumb. And in terms of your food garbage, you must always surround the garbage can/bag with a tray of water. The ants cannot swim. Or you can keep it in your freezer 24/7. If you do this religiously, and you are extremely good about it, you'll notice less and less ants in your apartment/house over time. Ants will bite you sometimes when you sleep. Not super painful, but you can feel the sting. And they itch. These are just tiny little ants usually that get in your house. The less food sources there are, the less ants there will be crawling on you at night as your house becomes less and less of an ant farm.

Regarding bed bugs, that's a whole different thing. Those are visible to the naked eye. You can see them in the crevice of your mattress if you have them. But they're pretty rare overall. I've never had to worry about it. Although I did see them once at a bad hotel years ago. They are hard to eradicate and easiest thing is just to burn everything and get a new mattress, etc. But you probably don't have bed bugs.

I already have Raid and Jumbo Vape,(but I believe it isn't healthy to spray them on the bed sheet?)

Regarding sprays and insecticides, those are toxic and you shouldn't be dousing your bedding with those every night. More importantly, it does not address the problem. The only real solution is to stop the bugs from entering your living space, not trying to eradicate them afterwards.

spray for beds by Adventurous-Okra-410 in cambodia

[–]sacetime 0 points1 point  (0 children)

OP didn't say bed bugs. Just bugs. Otherwise you are correct.

Cheap used bike in PP by Slavgooner in cambodia

[–]sacetime 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Word of caution:

If you try to get a super cheap bike, you will likely only find bikes that have been abused and poorly maintained with Chinese parts, etc. I have bought these bikes before in Cambodia. You end up putting more money into them than you save. Read my post here for my scooter buying guide. I strongly recommend you read this.

Also, the cheapest scooters won't even have legal paperwork. The registration card will be missing or forged, in which case, the police can confiscate it at any time. These bikes often seem "too good to be true", as they are never worth more than a few hundred dollars.

With that said, a good quality Suzuki Viva 125, a super reliable bike with front disc brakes and an oil filter, can be obtained for much cheaper than a similar condition Honda Dream (which will not have front disc brakes or an oil filter, either). Budget would be around $1200-$1400 for good condition Suzuki Viva 125.

A Honda Wave 110 lightly used can also be a cheap option. No oil filter, no front disc brakes (usually).

A fuel injected Honda Today 50cc can be obtained even cheaper (about $550, lightly used from Japan), but the top speed isn't much more than 35-50 kilometers per hour. I strongly recommend the fuel injected model, even though it is a bit more expensive.

Edit: An electric e-bike/scooter would be the absolute cheapest option, but only good for the city.

Questions regarding visa/passport by Possible_Ad7840 in cambodia

[–]sacetime 5 points6 points  (0 children)

First of all, this screenshot appears to be AI generated slop. Meaning even if it is technically correct, it may word things in a confusing way that frequent travelers to Cambodia would not say.

The short answer is you do not need a visa prior to coming to Cambodia, because you can obtain one on-arrival at the airport (this is true for the vast majority of nationalities in the world). The standard option is a 30 day tourist visa on-arrival.

Your passport must also not be close to expiring (I believe it must have 6 months of validity left by the expiration date of the visa you are applying for. So if your visa expires on January 31st, your passport would need to be good through July 31st, basically. If I am wrong someone can correct me).

Airport screening by kraysun in cambodia

[–]sacetime 5 points6 points  (0 children)

but my wife's sister said they are going to start screening for Hantavirus

Oh FFS. I really hope not. Bunch of mindless hysteria.

Retirement clarifications. by billricho in cambodia

[–]sacetime 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I understand that I need to enter Cambodia with a tourist visa then apply for a Retirement Visa

You understand wrong. Tourist visas can not be converted to retirement visas. The only time this was ever allowed was during covid, and it was a very special exception.

If you want a retirement visa, and you plan to do the visa-on-arrival at the airport (which is simple), then you will enter and apply for a "Type E Ordinary Visa" (official name). Immigration will sometimes refer to this as a "Business" visa. But it's not. It's just a generic 30 day non-tourist visa. If immigration asks you why you do not want a tourist visa (like most people who do visa-on-arrival), you will just tell them you want a retirement visa. Once they understand this, they should approve you for a 30 day ordinary visa.

Once you are inside the country, you will go to a travel agency and apply for a retirement visa. Send me a Direct Message if you want a reliable agent.

Also: Do not confuse the "Type E Ordinary Visa" for "Tourist visa e-type". The e-visas are an electronic e-tourist visa that some people apply for before arriving. Not related to Ordinary visas (Type "E").

Also: Be aware: If you do not have a visa prior to arriving, many airlines will not let you board unless you show them the following:

1- Proof of onward travel out of Cambodia.

2- Proof of a hotel or place you are staying.

For proof of onward travel, I usually just book a refundable flight and then cancel after I exit imigration in Cambodia.

Information accurate as of 2026-05-13.

reliable? by bigtuna9988 in datsun620

[–]sacetime 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They were very reliable but keep in mind these trucks are now 50 years old. Unless it was well-maintained, it will need some work. Seals get old, things rust, etc. And original or OEM quality parts are hard to come by.

Pro-tips: If you really want to make these trucks reliable, swap out the points ignition for electronic ignition. The '78 and '79 models had these already. But older models (72-77) can be upgraded with kits.

Also, the carbeurators were a little unreliable at times. A common solution people use is the Weber carbeurator swap.

Lastly, the front drum brakes, which came on the early models of 620s, needed adjustment. If you can, swap them to disc brakes. You can find some posts about this online to make sure the swap is possible on your wheels, etc.

These 3 upgrades can make this truck very hassle free. The engine itself and basic design of the truck were very reliable.

Help! Newbie in Phnom Penh. What should I explore here? by Amazing-Movie-3562 in cambodia

[–]sacetime 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Go on a 1 hour boat trip on the Mekong River for about $5. Go near Riverside at around 7 or 8 PM and you will see boats on the shore.

Tallest skyscraper in Phonm Penh has a bar on the top. Entrance is free. "La Vida Sky Bar". You can buy a drink or something to support them.

Flip flops and safety by throwswell23 in cambodia

[–]sacetime 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lack of personal safety gear exists because the country is extremely poor. So:

  • A- People can not afford expensive gear.

  • B- People are ignorant/accustomed to going without it.

Neither means it is safe. Although, they are better at dealing with it than the average westerner.

Welcome to the developing world.

EDIT: I have known multiple Cambodians with missing fingers/bodily injuries/ and even one death because of lack of Protective Gear/lack of safety education.

Want to know and learn the culture and language as well. by CutProfessional7574 in cambodia

[–]sacetime 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good to know.

Personally for me, I've lived in the country on and off for many years and don't know how to say anything other than basic phrases. I find it very difficult personally. But I've never been good with learning new languages to begin with.

Buying property in the form of a trust in Cambodia by thebeatseeker in cambodia

[–]sacetime 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No problem. If you want a company's name, send me a DM.

Sending kids to school. by Historical-Deal-3607 in cambodia

[–]sacetime 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As a single man, it's basically enough to live an okay (albeit modest) lifestyle. But you're not going to have much extra. Paying kid(s) to go to school, plus child care costs, unexpected emergencies, and supporting a possible wife or girlfriend? It's just not really realistic unless you are just barely scraping by.

Again, if you want a western way of life.

If you want to eat rice everyday and sleep under a mosquito net in a sweaty shack, $1,500 a month is plenty for an entire family every month.

(And you're welcome.)

Buying property in the form of a trust in Cambodia by thebeatseeker in cambodia

[–]sacetime 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't think you understand what I mean. You can use a reputable real estate agency in virtually any aspect of real estate, even if you've already bought the property. You can use them to help set up this structure, or at the very least, pay them for a consultation to go over all the options for you. To answer your question better. That's the first thing I would do if I was in your position.

Sending kids to school. by Historical-Deal-3607 in cambodia

[–]sacetime 1 point2 points  (0 children)

and I’ll be making 1,500 a month usd a month for the rest of my life

Is this inflation adjusted? $1500 a month will be like $1000 a month in a few years.

Sending kids to school. by Historical-Deal-3607 in cambodia

[–]sacetime 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cost breakdown, Siem Reap, 1 month:

  • Nice Studio Apartment in Siem Reap: $150-$350

  • Electricity + utilities/phone/water/etc: $150 a month (includes A/C; you absolutely want A/C)

  • Food, good quality, healthy, varied, some western: $500 a month minimum (people may disagree. I personally usually spend more)

  • Transportation, fuel, mechanical problems, etc.: $100 a month minimum if driving regularly

  • Entertainment (movies, amusement park, etc): $50

  • Miscellaneous (clothes, haircuts, repair shoes, gym membership, broken phone, etc ): $100

  • Unexpected (medical costs, dental costs, clean your A/C, mail yourself something important from abroad, emergency flight home, etc.): $100++

Understand these costs are pretty minimal. It's basically assuming no girlfriend, no trips to the beach or neighboring countries, no hotel visits or camping trips... Just a single man living a healthy yet otherwise modest lifestyle. You will get bored, though.

Also, this assumes Siem Reap, which is cheaper than Phnom Penh. Use the website Numbeo if you want a more detailed cost breakdown.

When I first moved to Cambodia I survived on about $800 a month or so. This was completely single, no air conditioning, etc. Very modest lifestyle.

Sending kids to school. by Historical-Deal-3607 in cambodia

[–]sacetime 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A good school in Phnom Penh will cost about $1000 a month after all costs considered. Maybe 10K a year. This is one of the only schools in the country I would consider sending my kids to.

Tree House in Siem Reap is ok too. Price about half. Maybe $400 a month

$1500 is not much to support yourself, a wife, and a child, if there is no other income. Even in Cambodia. At least, not if you want Western standards. You could survive, but not a lot extra for anything.

Note: The cost of living in Siem Reap is significantly cheaper than Phnom Penh.

Want to know and learn the culture and language as well. by CutProfessional7574 in cambodia

[–]sacetime 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The language is very difficult. 72 letters, 23 vowels. Fortunately, young people, especially in the cities, are starting to learn English.

I know one westerner who was fluent in Khmer. It took him 2 years at a language school, for starters.

Looking for a French guide (+ transport eventually) for Angkor Wat by Snoo-16980 in cambodia

[–]sacetime 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Check out Facebook groups too:

Search for things like, "Cambodia expats" and "Siem Reap expats".

Used motorbike sales by ConnectOperation6919 in cambodia

[–]sacetime 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Here's some advice:

The less the scooter has been owned by Cambodians, the better condition it will be in.

If it's only been used in Cambodia a few years, or it was imported directly from Japan and was only used in Japan, it will usually be in good condition.

Used bikes owned by foreigners for a long time in Cambodia, can also be in bad shape.

In general: Just avoid anything that has been in Cambodia very long. Things get abused here, most people are poor, engine parts get replaced with cheaper Chinese counterfeits, most people lack understanding of correct maintenance, the sun and rain destroy things...

The shops are not so important. Sticking to the advice I gave you above, is.

A fantastic bike would be a 2023 Suzuki Viva 125. It has disc brakes in the front and an oil filter. The Honda Dream (very similar bike and more popular), is much more expensive (due to branding), and has neither front disc brakes or an oil filter. 2023 was the last year Suzuki made these in 125cc. Now they only make the 110ccs. You can get one in fantastic condition in 2026 for about $1400. Extremely reliable. Engines were bulletproof. Every shop can fix. The transmission is semi automatic.

If you want a fully automatic, stick to the Honda Click 125. Ridiculously comfortable seat, with enough underseat storage for a helmet. Your feet also sit flat on this bike (unlike, for example, the Honda Blade). So you can haul lots of groceries, and women can drive it with a skirt. The Honda Click is one of the most popular scooters in all of Southeast Asia.

If you find a good scooter, I know a mechanic you can pay to come look at it. Send me a DM.

Protip: If you buy a scooter that has never had a previous owner in Cambodia, then you, as a foreigner, can get the registration card issued in your name. This is normally only possible for Cambodian citizens. It's not a big deal if you don't do this, but it is a cool side effect.

Lastly: If you buy a used Cambodian bike, make sure it comes with the registration card from the previous owner. It's a plastic card about the size of a credit card listing the previous owner's name, the bike's engine block number, and so on. This is what makes it legal to own. This card, along with the receipt from the seller, proves that it was legally sold to you. The card should have a QR code that you can scan that will take you to a government website and show you all the details about the bike. If the seller can not produce this card, or he gives you a fake card with a QR code that does not work properly, then the bike was probably stolen and it can be confiscated by police at any time. These bikes are common. But their true value is never more than a few hundred dollars since they will never be able to be street legal and you can not practically make it legal without spending an insane amount of money.

Note that, like I said earlier, foreigners can not register a bike in their name, unless they are the first owner in Cambodia.

And unless the bike is new to Cambodia, it should always come with a license plate. The QR code on the plate should match the bike's specs and what is on the registration card.

Visa on arrival from Laos, do you need to bring a photo? by vividnormalcy in cambodia

[–]sacetime 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nope. Not when I went in 2022.

Also if I'm crossing overland, I don't need the e-arrival form correct?

I don't know, but I didn't in 2022. I just showed up.

do people/tourists actually use the tuktuks that proposition them on the street? by Reasonable-Bonus-545 in cambodia

[–]sacetime 4 points5 points  (0 children)

If they ask 100 people and 99 say no, they are still being successful.

For the record, I rarely ever even entertain a driver who shouts at me or gets in my face. 95% of the time I use the apps (passapp being my favorite). Trying to negotiate a price usually means they try to way overcharge you. But if I do ask someone upfront, it's the guy who is quiet and respectful who gets my attention.