Phnom Penh: The Pearl of Asia

• Helloជិតខ្លាំង
  [chum klang]
• Goodbyeលាហើយ
  [leah ey]
• Yesបាទ/បាទយ
  [baat/baat yeh]
• Noទេ
  [te]
• Please/You're welcomeសូម
  [sourm]
• Thank youអរគុណ
  [aw koun]
• Excuse me/Sorryអរគុណ
  [aw koun]
• How are you?អ្នកសុះសុបសប្ដាហ
  [nak sohsop sabtah]
• Fine. And you?សុះសុប
  [sohsop]
• Do you speak English?អ្នកនិយាយអង់គ្នាទះទេ?
  [nak niyeay angneak tae?]
• I don't understandខ្ញុំមិនទាស្រាការ
  [knhom min tasreakar]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseខ្ញុំរកមុខផ្ទល់បន្ទាប់
  [knhom rok muk potlop nanteap]
• I don't eat meatខ្ញុំមិនបិនទេស
  [knhom min bontehs]
• Cheers!ជូយ
  [joo]
• I would like to pay, pleaseខ្ញុំចង់បង់កម្រេឝ
  [knhom chong bong kamer]

• Help!ជួយ!
  [joo!]
• Go away!លើទៅ!
  [leh tway!]
• Call the Police!ហាតាលេខាបង្ហាញ!
  [hat lekha bongheng!]
• Call a doctor!ហាតាពេលវេជ្ជ!
  [hat pel vech!]
• I'm lostខ្ញុំភិយម
  [knhom phaym]
• I'm illខ្ញុំហាត់
  [knhom hat]

• I'd like to buy...ខ្ញុំចង់ទិញ...
  [knhom chong teun...]
• I'm just lookingខ្ញុំយល់សេចក្តី
  [knhom yol sechktey]
• How much is it?តើវេនហ្គេមប៉ុន្មាន?
  [tve nak gem pounman?]
• That's too expensiveនេះគឺល្អជាងពិច
  [neh koy laor chang pic]
• Can you lower the price?អ្នកអាចបញ្ចូលតម្លៃបានទេ?
  [nak aek banchol tamly bon te?]

• What time is it?វេនដល់មួយ?
  [vean dal muoy?]
• It's one o'clockវេនមួយដល់មួយ
  [vean muoy dal muoy]
• Half past (10)នេះមួយដល់ដួច
  [neh muoy dal duach]
• Morningព្រឹក
  [preuk]
• Afternoonល្ងាច
  [langchach]
• Eveningយប់
  [yop]
• Yesterdayម្សនឡាយ
  [msan lay]
• Todayថ្ងៃនេះ
  [tngai neh]
• Tomorrowថ្ងៃស្អែ
  [tngai sae]
• 1មួយ
  [muoy]
• 2ពីរ
  [pii]
• 3បី
  [bei]
• 4បួន
  [bun]
• 5ប្រាំ
  [praam]
• 6ប្រាំមួយ
  [praam muoy]
• 7ប្រាំពីរ
  [praam pii]
• 8ប្រាំបី
  [praam bei]
• 9ប្រាំបួន
  [praam bun]
• 10ដប់
  [dop]

• Where's a/the...?នៅទួលមាន...
  [naw tuol mean...]
• What's the address?អាសយដ្ឋានជា​អស្សុជ
  [asietthan chea assos]
• Can you show me (on the map)?អ្នកអាចបង្ហាញខ្ញុំ (នៅលើ​ផែន)?
  [nak aek bongheng knhom (naw lay pen)?]
• When's the next (bus)?នៅនៅនេះមួយ (រថយន្ដ)?
  [naw naw neh muoy (rot yondet)?]
• A ticket (to ....)សិទ្ធិបន្ទាប់ (ទៅ ....)
  [seth banteap (twey ....)]

Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, was founded in 1372 by Lady Penh, a wealthy widow who discovered four bronze Buddha statues in a tree on the banks of the Tonle Sap River. She constructed a small shrine on a nearby hill to house the statues, which later became Wat Phnom, meaning 'Hill Temple'. The city subsequently grew around this sacred site, becoming an important regional center.

In 1863, Cambodia became a French protectorate and Phnom Penh was established as the capital in 1865. The French colonial era brought significant architectural and infrastructural changes to the city, including the construction of the Royal Palace, numerous colonial buildings, and modern roads. The blend of French and Khmer architectural styles can still be seen today in many parts of Phnom Penh.

Cambodia gained independence from France in 1953 under the leadership of King Norodom Sihanouk. Phnom Penh flourished during the 1950s and 1960s, becoming known as the 'Pearl of Asia' for its vibrant cultural scene, bustling markets, and thriving economy. This period saw the construction of many modern buildings and the development of a unique Cambodian architectural style.

One of the darkest chapters in Phnom Penh's history began in April 1975 when the Khmer Rouge, led by Pol Pot, captured the city. Over the next four years, the regime carried out a brutal campaign to transform Cambodia into an agrarian society. The entire population of Phnom Penh was forcibly evacuated to the countryside, and the city was left largely abandoned. The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek stand as harrowing reminders of this tragic period.

After the fall of the Khmer Rouge in 1979, Phnom Penh slowly began to rebuild. The 1980s and 1990s were marked by political instability and economic hardship, but the city gradually recovered. Today, Phnom Penh is a bustling metropolis with a mix of modern skyscrapers and historic buildings. It is a center of commerce, culture, and government, and continues to attract visitors from around the world drawn by its rich history and vibrant culture.

Phnom Penh is accessible via Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH), which is located about 10 kilometers west of the city center. Major airlines operate flights to and from various international destinations. From the airport, you can take a taxi or a tuk-tuk to reach your accommodation. Alternatively, buses and ride-sharing services are also available for airport transfers.

Phnom Penh offers several transportation options including tuk-tuks, taxis, motorbike taxis, and buses. Tuk-tuks are the most popular and convenient mode of transport for short distances. For longer distances, taxis are more comfortable and can be booked through ride-sharing apps like PassApp and Grab. Public buses operate on various routes within the city but may not cover all tourist spots. Renting a motorbike or bicycle is also an option for more independent exploration.

The official currency in Cambodia is the Cambodian Riel (KHR), but US Dollars (USD) are widely accepted. It's advisable to carry small denominations of both currencies for convenience. Credit cards are accepted in major hotels, restaurants, and shops, but cash remains the preferred payment method in smaller establishments and markets. ATMs are readily available throughout the city, dispensing both KHR and USD.

Phnom Penh is generally safe for tourists, but it's important to stay vigilant. Petty crimes like bag snatching and pickpocketing can occur, especially in crowded areas and tourist spots such as the Riverside area and Central Market. Avoid walking alone at night in poorly lit areas. Always secure your belongings and be cautious when using ATMs. Use reputable taxi or ride-sharing services, particularly at night.

In case of emergency, dial 117 for police assistance, 118 for fire emergencies, and 119 for medical emergencies. Major hospitals like Calmette Hospital and Royal Phnom Penh Hospital provide medical services to foreigners. It's advisable to have travel insurance that includes medical coverage. For minor health issues, pharmacies are available throughout the city where you can purchase over-the-counter medications.

Fashion: Do dress modestly, especially when visiting temples and religious sites. Avoid wearing revealing clothing. Religion: Do remove your shoes and hat when entering religious sites. Always show respect to monks and avoid touching them. Public Transport: Do be polite and respectful to drivers and fellow passengers. Don't eat or drink on public transport. Greetings: Do greet people with a slight bow and a 'sampeah' (palms together in a prayer-like gesture). Shaking hands is also acceptable. Eating & Drinking: Do try local dishes and street food. Don't use your left hand to eat or pass food, as it's considered impolite.

To experience Phnom Penh like a local, visit the bustling markets such as Psar Thmei (Central Market) and Psar Toul Tom Poung (Russian Market) where you can bargain for goods and enjoy local snacks. Take a stroll along the Riverside promenade during the evening for a relaxed atmosphere and beautiful sunset views. Engage with locals who are generally friendly and willing to share insights about their culture and history. Don't miss visiting Wat Phnom, the Royal Palace, and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum for a deeper understanding of Cambodia's history.