reader Posted January 2 Posted January 2 From The Phnom Penh Post The recent New Year’s Eve celebrations saw record numbers of visitors to some of the Kingdom’s most popular tourist destinations, except Siem Reap province, which experienced a 10 per cent decline on the 2022-23 event. Kampot province greeted the most guests, with the provincial tourism department reporting that nearly 390,000 arrivals opted to welcome the New Year there. In second place was Preah Sihanouk province, with 349,000 tourists recorded. It was followed by Siem Reap, with 304,064 guests enjoying the countdown in the province, home to the Kingdom’s renowned Angkor Archaeological Park. The Battambang Department of Tourism reported around 263,000 guests, with Kampong Cham logging about 120,000 and Kep’s seaside location drawing slightly over 100,000 visitors. Each of the departments confirmed that the figures included both domestic and international tourists. Kampot Provincial Tourism Department director Soy Sinol said on January 1 that the province had recorded 386,488 tourists, including about 1,500 international guests. Visiting residents of the province were not included in the figure, he noted. “The reason we welcomed so many guests may be due to our proximity to Phnom Penh, as well as the fact that we have so many recreational facilities here. The provincial authorities did an outstanding job of preparing the necessary infrastructure this year. Many, many domestic and international tourists gathered along the riverside in Kampot town for the celebrations,” he added. Marc in Calif, Phoenixblue, tm_nyc and 1 other 2 2 Quote
Keithambrose Posted January 7 Posted January 7 Further to my Bangkok post, a few comments on Siem Reap. The Bangkok Airways flight at the new white elephant airport early. Looks Impressive, I counted around 12 airbridges all empty. There were two aircraft there, ours and another small plane, who can't use the air bridges. You walk up the steps, with hald luggage to reach arrivals. You then walk a mile or so, I exaggerate, to immigration. This is a huge hall with over 30 desks. Once you work out where to go, I had an evisa, it was fairly quick. I had no luggage, so walked through. Interestingly, when you exit customs, that's it, you are outside in the so. There are hotel reps, including mine, and a stall selling local SIM cards, but that's it! I got in my car, Viroth's hotel used to send their antique Mercedes, or Rolls, but they said the roads were so bad to the new airport, you now get an SUV. Perfectly ok, apart from the $45! Bra d new single carriageway road with posh lights every 40 metres, for about 20 miles. Then, crunch on the old highway, slow, bumpy etc. took an hour. Hotel nice as usual, spent the first hour fending off guys from Grindr, offering paid sex, 5 in all. I selected one who was persistent, and he looked like his pics, did everything he said, and was great! Fully versatile etc. ended up giving him $50, which in European terms is so cheap! That included a tip! Then dinner at the Khmer Grill, a drink in Pub Street, and home. Beer now $1.50, but fear not, second free! Lots of attractive guys including the waiters! vinapu and tm_nyc 2 Quote
vinapu Posted January 7 Posted January 7 Make sure you try Hanuman beer, dark is bit better than blue Quote
Keithambrose Posted January 8 Posted January 8 10 hours ago, vinapu said: Make sure you try Hanuman beer, dark is bit better than blue Ok, but 10 hours ago, vinapu said: Make sure you try Hanuman beer, dark is bit better than blue Ok, but Krud beer, somehow, has a tantalising name! Quote
vinapu Posted January 8 Posted January 8 8 hours ago, Keithambrose said: Ok, but Ok, but Krud beer, somehow, has a tantalising name! But it is bit crude if you ask me Quote
Keithambrose Posted January 8 Posted January 8 25 minutes ago, Keithambrose said: That was my point! vinapu 1 Quote
Keithambrose Posted January 8 Posted January 8 Just now, Keithambrose said: Heavy advertising in Pub Street! Quote
