Phnom Penh (Ah!) Travel Tips - FROM A TOURISTS POINT OF VIEW

Lisette from Holland talks about Phnom Penh at the Independence Monument - NR photo To some the welfare of the Cambodian children matters - NR photo Angkor Wat Killing Fields - Cambodia Ministry of Tourism photo Tuol Sleng Museum - Cambodia Ministry of Tourism photo Wat Phnom - Cambodia Ministry of Tourism photo Players from the US Embassy came to play serious B Ball at Olympic Stadium - NR photo UCB Bank problem

D. J. Ken - National Radio Text Service

See, see what? Do, do what? Play sports? Where? The reality there is very little of interest other than the sites of death and genocide most notably the Killing Fields and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. - WARNING UCB BANK CHARGING - ENGLISH MATTERS

Friday January 30, 2009

WHAT'S THE APPEAL?

We have often suggested to tourists places to go and see in Phnom Penh. Time after time it becomes a difficult task as in reality there is very little of interest to do other than visit the sites of death and genocide most notably the Killing Fields and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Since we have come to the same conclusions year after year being that the situation doesn't improve we chanced upon a tourist taking pictures at the Independence Monument. Her name is Lisette a 32-year-old lady from Holland who is in the banking business who had been in Phnom Penh for two days. The question was where have you been during your brief stay?

Understandably her first stop prior to visiting Phnom Penh was Siem Reap to visit the Angkor Wat Temples. She was impressed with the area and then extended her stayed for a month to volunteer for the Helping Hands an NGO. She then visited Kampot for a short stay.

The Killing Fields was her first tourist site visit in Phnom Penh. That was followed by a visit to Tuol Sleng. She then took in the sites at Wat Phnom after which we ran into her. Her thoughts were that there was a zealous effort to sell tourist merchandise at the tourist sites. This was said as an observation and not a criticism. Her plan was to visit the Royal Palace and National Museum before traveling to Vietnam.

Lisette did more than come and observe as some tourists do as if they were visiting a zoo, she helped the Cambodian people with Helping Hands. In Kampot she a played volleyball with the children and was excited about the enthusiasm the children had for playing sports. She noted that there should be more sports facilities for the people.

This is an observation that we have mentioned numerous times in the past and also an opinion of two tourists we met a week prior near the fountains in Hun Sen Park. There names were Adam from Canada and May from England. May lives in Phnom Penh but it was Adam's firs visit. He is so enthused about the city that he intends to return to start a business and, "Make a lot of money." The problem is he doesn't have any idea what type of business he wants to get involved in.

Again the observation of the lack of sports facilities came up. He plays basketball and went to Olympic Stadium to do so. Around 4 PM he was chased off the basketball court by a bunch of young thugs who said they were taking over the court to play soccer/football. He wasn't very pleased about the situation.

This is a very serious problem in the lack of planning by the powers that be who are trying to entice tourists to come to Cambodia and spend some money. The PTB (Powers That Be) have lost the plot or have no idea what type of tourist they want to attract. As Lisette pointed out that there wasn't a defined plan or an outline of what a tourist could do when they visit the area.

From the way the PTB have been promoting Phnom Penh there is nothing to do but visit the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng both sites of which they are not proud of. After that all there is to do is drink alcohol which is fine for an alcoholic but the PTB should realize that some tourists actually enjoy living a healthy life and would prefer to play sports.

If tourism in Phnom Penh is to go forward there is a need to plan and understand what type of activities a non alcoholic drinking tourist would like to be involved in. If tourism is to grow in a healthy manner in Phnom Penh it is a do or die task. The question is what type of tourist does Cambodia want to attract the alcoholic, sexual predator, drug addict or someone who cares about their body and about others who come to enjoy life as well as help?

The UCB bank has come under scrutiny as they charged a tourists credit card more than he signed for on several cash withdraws. The bank advertises that they do not charge a fee for cash withdraws. When the matter was brought to the attention of UCB management in Phnom Penh they said the problem was with the tourist's bank in their country.

The tourist contacted his bank and was informed that the problem emanates from Cambodia as they also do not charge a fee for cash withdraws. The tourist has been dealing with his bank for over 12 years with no problem. The problem with the Cambodian bank surfaced after they made a personnel change.

Here's our tip if you have made cash withdraws at any of the UCB banks in Siem Reap, Sihanoukville or Phnom Penh check your statements. If there are discrepancies contact your bank and report it.

We are published in five languages, English, Thai, French, Russian and Khmer (Cambodian language). Any of our foreign language material and our Roman Wanderaugh columns are legally available ONLY on our National Radio site.

ENGLISH COMPREHENSION BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND TRANSACTIONS

When making a purchase it is wise to talk to a person who:

1. Speaks good English.

2. Has a good COMPREHENSION of English.

3. Has good PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE.

4. IS HONEST and serves the customers needs.

The serving the customer's needs issue came to light when my Japanese neighbor who speaks very good English purchased an Internet service from Camshin They first told her that she needed a telephone line thus having to pay for a telephone, a line and connection as well as the Internet installation fees and service cost. She later found that she didn't need a telephone but could receive the service by ADSL. There was another $200 Installation charge and equipment costs.

The point being as a tip is careful who you gave your memory cards and business to so you can prevent theft, damage or aggravation.

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