Enchanting Old Market Area of Siem Reap

• Helloសួស្តី
  [soo-sdei]
• Goodbyeលាហើយ
  [leah-heuy]
• Yesបាទ
  [baht]
• Noទេ
  [teh]
• Please/You're welcomeសូម
  [saw-maw]
• Thank youសូមអរគុណ
  [saw-maw-aw-kun]
• Excuse me/Sorryសូមទៅវែង
  [saw-maw-tweh-waeng]
• How are you?អ្នកសុខសប្បាយបានយ៉ាងដេវ?
  [nak sok sabay bahn yang daw?]
• Fine. And you?សុខសប្បាយយ៉ាងបាន អ្នកអេសអិយ?
  [sok sabay bahn bahn, nak aisai?]
• Do you speak English?អ្នកនៅទទួលខ្លួនផ្ទះអមោឃបានភាសាអង់គ្លេស?
  [nak nowt doul khluon pteah omok bahn phasaa anlokles?]
• I don't understandខុសមិនឃើញ
  [kohmern khern]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseខ្ញុំចង់មើលម៉ឺនុយបានមក
  [knyom chong muel menoo bon mkaw]
• I don't eat meatខ្ញុំមិនបរិយោខ
  [knyom min brai hok]
• Cheers!សួរ!
  [sour!]
• I would like to pay, pleaseខ្ញុំចង់បង់ប្រាក់បានមក
  [knyom chong ban prak bon mkaw]

• Help!ជម្រះ!
  [chamroh!]
• Go away!លើងចេញ!
  [leung chern!]
• Call the Police!ហាត់ខាតែបង្ខងសម្រាប់!
  [hat katey banh khong samrab!]
• Call a doctor!ហាត់គាតមាន!
  [hat katey katman!]
• I'm lostខ្ញុំខិតបាន
  [knyom khern bon]
• I'm illខ្ញុំមានជម្រះ
  [knyom man chamroh]

• I'd like to buy...ខ្ញុំចង់ទិញ...
  [knyom chong toon...]
• I'm just lookingខ្ញុំជិះមួយចំពោះ
  [knyom chuh moy chom poah]
• How much is it?តើវាគិតបានប៉ុន្មាន?
  [tweh vekh bat bonman?]
• That's too expensiveនេះគឺលឿងប៉ុន្មានពិបាក
  [ney khao ey bonman pibak]
• Can you lower the price?តើអ្នកធ្លាក់តម្លៃបានទៅទៀតទំនើរតើ?
  [tweh nak lerk tamlay bon tow tei mner tew?]

• What time is it?ម៉ោងប៉ះម៉ោងប៉ះ?
  [mawng bat mawng bat?]
• It's one o'clockវាយម្សិល
  [vaih msool]
• Half past (10)ផ្នែកការចុងស៊ិត
  [pnak hah chong sit]
• Morningព្រឹក
  [prook]
• Afternoonល្ងាច
  [lingchah]
• Eveningយប់
  [yob]
• Yesterdayម្សិលម្សិល
  [msool msool]
• Todayថ្ងៃនេះ
  [tngai ney]
• Tomorrowថ្ងៃស្អែ
  [tngai saeh]
• 1មួយ
  [moy]
• 2ពីរ
  [pii]
• 3បី
  [bei]
• 4បួន
  [buon]
• 5ប្រា​នី
  [brah nee]
• 6បុត
  [bot]
• 7ប៉ែត
  [bayt]
• 8បីលាល
  [bee leel]
• 9កញ្ញា
  [koneha]
• 10ដប់
  [daap]

• Where's a/the...?នេះត្រជាក់ជាងនេះ...?
  [ney trerchak jang ney...?]
• What's the address?អាសយដ្ឋានអស័យ?
  [astatdan asay?]
• Can you show me (on the map)?តើអ្នកអាចបង្ហាញខ្ញុំបានទេ?
  [tweh nak ah chak banhaeng knyom bon teh?]
• When's the next (bus)?នេះចុងបញ្ចិ៍កាមរ៉េ?
  [ney chong bonjcheh kamre?]
• A ticket (to ....)សេចក្តីកាយ(ទៅ....)
  [sechkae kai (twai...)]

The Old Market Area, known locally as 'Psar Chas', has roots that trace back to the Angkor period, when Siem Reap was a thriving hub for trade and commerce. With the rise of the Khmer Empire in the 9th century, the region became an essential point for merchants traveling to and from the monumental temple complex of Angkor Wat.

During the French colonial period in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Old Market Area saw significant development as the French sought to modernize Siem Reap. They established infrastructure, including roads and public buildings, which facilitated trade. The market itself evolved into a focal point for both locals and tourists, offering a glimpse into the daily life and culture of the Khmer people.

The Old Market Area has long served as a cultural melting pot, reflecting the diverse influences on Cambodian society. It became a gathering place for local artisans, merchants, and travelers, showcasing traditional handicrafts, textiles, and food. This vibrant atmosphere has persisted through the years, maintaining the market's role as a central cultural and economic hub in Siem Reap.

The Khmer Rouge regime (1975-1979) brought devastation to Cambodia, including Siem Reap. The Old Market Area, like many places across the country, witnessed a decline in its vibrant activities. Many traders and artisans were lost during this dark period, and the market struggled to recover in the years that followed.

In the decades following the Khmer Rouge, the Old Market Area began to revive as tourism to Angkor Wat increased. The 1990s and early 2000s saw a resurgence of local businesses catering to international visitors. Today, the market is a bustling center of commerce and culture, offering a rich tapestry of experiences that highlight both traditional Khmer culture and modern influences.

The Old Market Area is easily accessible from various parts of Siem Reap. If you’re arriving from the Siem Reap International Airport, a taxi or tuk-tuk will take approximately 15 minutes. If you’re coming from the city center, it’s a short walk or a 5-10 minute tuk-tuk ride. Buses from nearby towns also stop at designated areas close to the Old Market.

The Old Market Area is compact and best explored on foot. However, tuk-tuks are readily available and can be hired for longer distances or to reach nearby attractions. Bicycles are also a popular option for tourists and can be rented from various shops in the area. Public transport options are limited, but a few local buses connect the area to other neighborhoods.

The Old Market Area is generally safe for tourists, but standard precautions should be taken. Avoid secluded areas at night and remain vigilant in crowded markets. Petty crimes like pickpocketing can occur, especially in busy tourist spots. It's advisable to stay away from the outskirts of the area after dark, where incidents are more likely to happen.

In case of emergencies, dial 117 for police assistance or 119 for medical emergencies. The local hospitals and clinics are equipped to handle most situations. Always carry a copy of your passport and emergency contacts. It’s also wise to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies.

Fashion: Do wear light, breathable clothing suitable for the tropical climate; modest attire is recommended when visiting temples. Religion: Do be respectful at all religious sites; remove shoes when entering. Public Transport: Do be patient and respectful to fellow passengers; Don't use loud phones or play music in public transport. Greetings: Do greet locals with a smile and a polite 'sous-dey' (hello); Don't engage in overly casual behavior. Eating & Drinking: Do try street food and local delicacies; Don't waste food or drink in public places.

To experience the Old Market Area like a local, visit in the early morning when vendors set up and the area comes alive with fresh produce. Engage with local artisans and shopkeepers, who are often happy to share their stories. Visit the nearby night market for a vibrant atmosphere and excellent food options. Don’t hesitate to try local dishes like Amok or Khmer barbecue, and always bargain respectfully when shopping.