Cambodia Riel
Cambodia, formerly known as Kampuchea, used the Cambodian riel as its currency. The riel is divided into 100 sen and 10 kak. However, the kak and sen are not issued in notes or coins, so in effect it is just the riel. The currency is denoted by the code KHR and is issued by the National Bank of Cambodia.
Coins are issued in the form of 50, 100, 200 and 500 riel and notes are issued in the form of 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10, 000 riel.
Notes are issued as well in denominations of 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 but these tend not to be used in transactions, they are more for bank use.
Although the riel is used as the official currency, the US dollar is also very widely used throughout Cambodia and in particular in tourist areas or towns and cities. Rural areas tend to use the riel as the only form of currency.
In places that are near to the Thai border, you will also find that the Thai baht is in general use.
History of the Riel
The riel has been in use, in its current form since 1980, although there was a riel circulated between 1953, this was a different currency from the riel that is in use today. Then in 1975, the Khmer Rouge took control of Cambodia. They did print riel banknotes, but these were never circulated, because the Khmer Rouge banned money as part of its very oppressive regime. Interestingly, they did not just ban money but also all financial institutions. But they didn't really replace it with anything!
Luckily for Cambodia, the Khmer Rouge was removed from power after the Vietnamese invasion of 1978. So in 1980 a new currency was issued, the riel, with a value then of 4 riel to a US dollar.
Getting hold of Riels
Cambodia is not well provided for in terms of ATMs and there are relatively few in the country, which means that you will probably need to take a combination of cash, travellers cheques and your cards. You will find cash machines in Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Kampot and Siem Reap but in other parts of the country you will find that there are very few, if they exist at all.
Generally, the fact that the US dollar is used throughout the country means that you can literally take dollars in and spend them. The only thing that you need to be aware of is that dollar notes in higher denominations than $20 i.e. $50 or $100 will not only be hard to spend, but they will even be hard to exchange, so take lower denominations only, even if that means you have to take a wad of cash.
Euros can also be exchanged quite easily, but they cannot be spent in the same way that US dollars can be spent.
All notes that you take in of foreign currency should not be torn or very old, otherwise they can also be difficult to exchange. Whilst this may all seem cumbersome, you just need to remember, clean and crisp notes in low denominations!
It is possible to find money exchange facilities at most markets in Cambodia, but you may just have to check the rate out before you agree to using the service. Banks generally offer a better rate, but it can involve having to queue and to fill out quite a lot of paperwork, so if you are stuck for time or simply averse to bureaucratic procedures, then just head down to the market.
For safety's sake, you may be better to take some travellers cheques as well, so that if you do lose your wallet or purse, then you can at least have the cheques replaced (always keep a separate note of the cheque numbers, so that they can be replaced).
Many hotels etc will accept travellers cheques, but you have to be mindful that they will often charge a very high fee for doing this. The best rate that you will get will be in a bank, so it pays to try and plan ahead so that you can use a bank and if you have time, check out the fees charged and the exchange rate, so that you get the best value.
Safety Issues
Cambodia is quite a safe country with little risk of violent street crimes or any significant problems. However, that being said, you should be aware that bag snatching is quite a problem, in the capital Phnom Penh and the robbers can be quite audacious, choosing to snatch even when you are surrounded by people, so always be mindful of this risk and make sure that you hold your bag in such a way that it is secure at all times. It is also worth taking a photocopy of nay documents such as your passport and making sure that they are kept separate at all times.
You may hear that Cambodia is still full of landmines, which to some extent it is. However in areas that are populated, the landmines have been cleared, which effectively makes the country quite safe to visit, unless you intend travelling to very remote areas, in particular Preah Vihear. But if you ask for advice about unsafe areas, as well as taking heed of any warning signs (which are clearly marked), then you should be safe.
If you are thinking of taking a trip to Cambodia and you are a lover of your western comforts, then you should be aware that the typical 'western' hotel is really only available in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap although more are now springing up in Sihaoukville. So you will have to stay in guest house accommodation unless you are in these areas. These are generally quite safe and secure, although you may feel less safe than if you are in a large hotel with all its modern conveniences and air conditioning units etc. However, the prices in the tourist areas are not cheap (by Asian standards) and the costs can be anything up to £50 per person per night or even more, which is quite high when you think that guesthouse accommodation at the bargain basement end, is in the region of around £1-2 in the more remote and rural areas. However, before you embark on the cheapest and most basic type of accommodation, just way up safety issues. There isn't much point in paying £1.50 for accommodation, only to lie awake all night, worried that you aren't safe. In reality, you are quite safe in Cambodia, but it can feel different, when not surrounded by familiar luxuries.
Spending Riel
Like almost every country that welcomes tourists, Cambodia is more expensive in the tourist areas, than it is in the country areas or other towns. It is a poor country and many people live on less than US $1 per day, which means that prices are quite low by western standards, but in the tourist areas they are a bit higher.
Cambodia, partly due to the problems it has had with Pol Pot and a difficult history, for the last 50 years or so is still quite undeveloped by western standards. Tuk tuk drivers can be a little aggressive at wanting your custom; but this is because they need and want your custom, since survival is not easy. This is attested by the fact that there is a lot of beggars and street kids in all the tourist areas and Phnom Penh. In a way the tourist areas act like a magnet for them, because there is more chance of being able to scratch out a living in a tourist area. It is almost like a chicken and egg situation, but it can be difficult for westerners to have to be repeatedly asked for money.
The lack of development in Phnom Penh and any area that is not a tourist hot spot, also means that there are different standards in place and rubbish may not be collected as frequently as you would expect and the infrastructure and facilities are not there. However, this makes Cambodia still an adventure, rather than a clinical tourist destination. If you want pristine beaches and 5 star hotels, then you can find these in the tourist resorts. If however, you want to experience life in a country that is developing, but has not yet 'got' there, then Cambodia has a lot to offer.
Prices for food and drink are also quite low and the markets which are held throughout the country are quite amazing. Haggling is not quite so strict as in other countries, so try not to be too hard on the haggling front. People are poor and so they may feel that just getting something for their wares is better than nothing, which is verges on exploitation, so just be sensitive to the issues about the extent of poverty.
Overview
Cambodia has some terrific sights to be seen from the most beautiful Buddhist temples, to the hustle and bustle of Phnom Penh, to the countryside which is remote and seems to have been unchanged for many, many years, it can offer a different take on life. Although the people are quite poor and they have endured many hardships, they are still quite friendly and welcoming. Younger people in particular may welcome the chance to practise their English a little bit and there is a growing interest in all things western.
The pace of change in Cambodia is quite rapid, as it becomes more and more developed. So if you want to see Cambodia whilst it is still raw and undeveloped and learn more about the Buddhist way of life, then it is better to visit sooner rather than later. Otherwise, it may have lost some of its undeveloped, but somehow more spiritual ways and become more like other western countries. Although this may undoubtedly help the economy of Cambodia, it may also make it less of an adventure and perhaps less of a travel challenge. Who knows?
For a glimpse of some of the beautiful temples in Cambodia, try the Buddhist tourism site at http://www.buddhist-tourism.com/countires/cambodia/. Here you will find some scenic photos of the temples and also get the chance to learn more about this way of life which is very different from western ways of living.
I have some question to ask you:
Why is there different in the value of currency in the world?
— Chhoem Sovong · Jul 31, 12:57 PM · #