Kratie: A Riverside Gem in the Heart of Cambodia

• Helloសួស្តី
  [sou-sdei]
• Goodbyeលាស់បាត
  [leah-sa-baat]
• Yesបាទ/បាទចាស
  [baat/baat chah]
• Noទេ
  [te]
• Please/You're welcomeសូម
  [soum]
• Thank youអរគុណ
  [aw-kun]
• Excuse me/Sorryសូមសុន្មាន
  [soum-som-nas]
• How are you?អ្នកសុខសប្បាយបានប៉ុណ្ណ
  [nak sok-sa-bay ban pon]
• Fine. And you?បាទសុខភាព។ អ្នកទេ?
  [baat sok-pheap. nak te?]
• Do you speak English?អ្នកនៅចិត្តអង់គ្លេសទេ?
  [nak now-chet ang-keles te?]
• I don't understandខិតបាទធើបូថេ
  [kit baat tebuteh]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseខុសបានម៉ឺនុ, សូមបង្ហាញ
  [kho sa bon menou, soum bong-chen]
• I don't eat meatខិតបាទហើយចៀក
  [kit baat hae jay chek]
• Cheers!សូមស្វាគមន៍
  [soum svakom]
• I would like to pay, pleaseខិតបាទនិយមនេះ
  [kit baat niem ne]

• Help!ជួបជុំ!
  [choub-chom]
• Go away!ទៅពីនេះ!
  [wei pi ne]
• Call the Police!ហៅការប្រាក់ប្រទះ!
  [haw kar prak-prah]
• Call a doctor!ហៅវេជ្ជបណ្ឌ!
  [haw vejjaband]
• I'm lostខិតបាទភ្ជុំ
  [kit baat phjom]
• I'm illខិតបាទជនជាតិ
  [kit baat chon-chet]

• I'd like to buy...ខិតបាទទិញ...
  [kit baat tuek...]
• I'm just lookingគិតបាទឃើញទំនង
  [kit baat hoi nom]
• How much is it?តើវាគណន៍ប៉ុណ្ណមួយ?
  [twey va knong pon muoy?]
• That's too expensiveវាល្នាយមិនបានចំនួន
  [va nyam min ban chomnoum]
• Can you lower the price?តើអ្នកអាចបានចំនួនទៀតទេ?
  [twey nak ach ban chomnoum tii te?]

• What time is it?ម៉ោងប៉េង?
  [moung beng?]
• It's one o'clockវាន់ពេលមួយ
  [va ney pleu moy]
• Half past (10)ព្រឹកដលបួល (១០)
  [preuk doul buy (sip)]
• Morningព្រឹក
  [preuk]
• Afternoonល្ងាច
  [lang-cha]
• Eveningយប់
  [yab]
• Yesterdayម្សរល
  [msal]
• Todayថ្ងៃនេះ
  [thngay ne]
• Tomorrowថ្ងៃស្អែក
  [thngay sraek]
• 1មួយ
  [moy]
• 2ពីរ
  [pee]
• 3បី
  [bei]
• 4បួន
  [buon]
• 5ប្រាំ
  [bram]
• 6ប្រាំមួយ
  [bram moy]
• 7ប្រាំពីរ
  [bram pee]
• 8ប្រាំបី
  [bram bei]
• 9ប្រាំបួន
  [bram buon]
• 10ដប់
  [dop]

• Where's a/the...?តែខ្លះមានទទួលឬទេ?
  [tae klach mean toul ar te?]
• What's the address?អាស័យហេតុដោយ?
  [asei het doy?]
• Can you show me (on the map)?តើអ្នកអាចបង្ហាញខ្លឹះឆាកទេ?
  [twey nak ach bong-chen klue chak te?]
• When's the next (bus)?តែខ្លះហៅដោយប្រទេសបួលឬទេ?
  [tae klach haw doy prateh buol ar te?]
• A ticket (to ....)សំបុត្រព្រិល (ទៅ ....)
  [sombot pril (to ...)]

Kratie's history dates back to the early settlement periods, with archaeological evidence suggesting habitation during the prehistoric era. The region was part of the pre-Angkorian Chenla Kingdom, which flourished between the 6th and 9th centuries. Numerous artifacts, including pottery and tools, have been unearthed, shedding light on the early communities that thrived along the Mekong River.

During the height of the Khmer Empire in the 9th to 15th centuries, Kratie was an important provincial town. The influence of Angkor is evident in the architectural remnants and inscriptions found in the area. The Mekong River served as a crucial trade and communication route, linking Kratie to the heart of the empire in Angkor.

In the late 19th century, Kratie came under French colonial rule as part of French Indochina. The French influence is still visible today in the town's architecture, with colonial-era buildings and the layout of the town center. Kratie was a key administrative and trading post during this period, connecting the northern regions of Cambodia with the capital, Phnom Penh.

Following Cambodia's independence from France in 1953, Kratie experienced significant political and social changes. The town was affected by the Cambodian Civil War and the subsequent Khmer Rouge regime from 1975 to 1979. Many residents fled the area during these tumultuous times, and the region saw significant upheaval and destruction.

After the fall of the Khmer Rouge, Kratie began the slow process of recovery and rebuilding. The town's economy gradually revived, with a focus on agriculture, fishing, and trade along the Mekong River. Efforts were made to restore infrastructure and support the return of displaced populations.

In recent decades, Kratie has gained recognition for its natural beauty and biodiversity, particularly the critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphins that inhabit the Mekong River. Ecotourism has become a significant part of the local economy, with initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable tourism and environmental conservation. Visitors are drawn to Kratie for its scenic landscapes, wildlife, and cultural heritage.

Kratie is located in northeastern Cambodia. The nearest international airport is Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH), approximately 315 kilometers away. From Phnom Penh, you can take a bus or a private taxi to Kratie. The journey by bus typically takes around 6 to 7 hours, while a taxi may take around 5 to 6 hours. There are also boat services along the Mekong River that can take you to Kratie from various locations.

Within Kratie, transportation options include tuk-tuks, motorbike taxis, and bicycles, which are available for rent. Tuk-tuks and motorbike taxis are affordable and convenient for short distances. For longer trips, renting a motorbike or bicycle allows for more flexibility and the chance to explore at your own pace. Boats are also an option for exploring the Mekong River and visiting nearby islands.

The official currency in Cambodia is the Cambodian Riel (KHR), but the US Dollar (USD) is widely accepted. ATMs are available in Kratie and dispense both Riel and US Dollars. Credit cards are accepted in some hotels and larger restaurants, but it is advisable to carry cash, especially when visiting smaller establishments and local markets.

Kratie is generally a safe destination for tourists. However, standard precautions should be taken. Avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas and be cautious of your belongings in crowded places. While Kratie does not have specific high-crime areas targeting tourists, it is always best to stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings.

In case of emergency, dial 117 for police assistance or 119 for medical emergencies. The local police station and medical facilities are available in Kratie. It is recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. For minor health issues, there are pharmacies in the town where you can purchase over-the-counter medications.

Fashion: Do dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. Avoid wearing revealing clothing. Religion: Do respect local customs and traditions. Remove your shoes and cover your head when entering temples. Public Transport: Do be respectful and offer your seat to elderly passengers. Don’t eat or drink on public transport. Greetings: Do greet people with a friendly smile and a slight bow with your hands pressed together in a ‘sampeah’ gesture. Eating & Drinking: Do try local delicacies and accept food offerings graciously. Don’t refuse hospitality, as it is considered impolite.

To experience Kratie like a local, visit the morning market where you can buy fresh produce and local goods. Engage with locals, as they are often friendly and willing to share stories about the town’s history and culture. Don’t miss a boat trip to see the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins in the Mekong River. For a unique experience, rent a bicycle and explore the surrounding countryside, including the picturesque Koh Trong Island.