Cambodia expat blog: Cambodia travel tips, advice, and info

Review: Cambodia’s Bassaka Air (updated)

Posted on October 16, 2018 by Lina Goldberg

2018 update! It appears that Bassaka Air has stopped running flights with less than 24 hours notice. And unfortunately, it is the same manager that I had to argue with for weeks over a refund (read on below for more details) that appears to be in charge of this customer service debacle. If you have been affected, I would suggest requesting a chargeback with your credit card company as soon as possible rather than hoping that Bassaka eventually delivers, because if you wait too long it might be too late.

And in the meantime, check out our post on how to get from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap (and vice-versa) and find an alternative. A taxi may be the safer choice!

2016 update: There’s been an influx of new domestic airlines in Cambodia in the last year. Usually domestic airlines don’t seem to last more than a few months in Cambodia, so we haven’t bothered reviewing them. In the last year I’ve flown Bassaka Air’s Phnom Penh-Siem Reap route several times — here’s everything you need to know.

Bassaka Air currently flies from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap and Siem Reap to Phnom Penh. They also have a Phnom Penh to Macau route — the airline is meant to ferry Chinese gamblers to the Kingdom of Wonder — with flights going to Macau a couple times a week. Tickets are ridiculously cheap compared to the previous route monopoly-holder Cambodia Angkor Air, with flights on Bassaka starting at just $19 each way and averaging less than $50.

Continue reading →

Phare, the Cambodian circus

Posted on September 28, 2018 by Pete Ford

Roll up! Roll up! The circus is in town. Battambang, Siem Reap and Phnom Penh all offer a circus experience for those seeking something in Cambodia beyond the temples, whether you just want to watch, or learn to be a circus performer yourself.

Want to join the circus? Or just take in a show? Check out Phare, the Cambodian circus.

Battambang and Siem Reap

Phare Ponleu Selpak is a non-governmental organization that began in 1994 as a school in Battambang combining academic education and arts training. In 2013, to further its goals of self-sufficiency and revitalization of the arts in Cambodia, the school launched a circus in Siem Reap. Since then Phare has grown into one of the most popular tourist attractions in both Battambang and Siem Reap.

The Siem Reap circus’ crew of musicians, artists and acrobatic performers entertain every night with an action-packed themed show, more Cirque de Soleil than Barnum. The slick production, and even slicker walk-through gift shop, indicate that tourists are the target market. So do the ticket prices of as much as $38 for prime seats, available from the venue or via their website.

Phare also offers performances by its students at its training center in Battambang. There are regular shows, where the routines and set pieces are rehearsed before being taken to Siem Reap, and it is also possible to see some of the newer students learning the ropes.

Students taking a contortion lesson at the National Circus of Cambodia in Phnom Penh.

Phnom Penh

In the golden shadow of the new Nagaworld 2 building in Phnom Penh lies the National Circus School of Cambodia. Resplendent with a newly renovated big top, the school isn’t currently doing regular performances after they were put on hold for the renovations—the plan is for them to resume, alongside the regular boxing matches in the venue.

Currently, they are offering daily classes in aerial silks, aerial hoop, tumbling, and floor contortion, taught by some of the circus’ performers.

Classes are for both children and adults. The adult evening classes are priced at $7 per hour. The classes are small, and students are under close supervision by some incredibly talented Cambodian performers, trained in Vietnam and China, whose teaching combines circus flair with methodical professionalism. While these are aimed more at the expat crowd, the circus school does have a well established program for Cambodian children wishing to join the circus, and is always looking for new talent.

So consider adding something a little more positive and offbeat in the Kingdom of Wonder, than the usual tours of S21 and the like. Learn the tricks of the trade from the professionals in Phnom Penh, or be amazed by the performances in Battambang and Siem Reap—the collectives oohs and aahs from the crowd are alone almost worth a visit!

A vegetarian twist to Phnom Penh Food Tours

Posted on September 4, 2018 by Pete Ford

Visitors to Southeast Asia have long been attracted by the prospect of exploring the region’s markets, street stalls, and hole-in-the-wall eateries. It is with misty eyes that people reminisce about meals eaten on journeys past in towns, villages, cities, and bus stops. The jokes told at certain noodle stalls, the toothless grins of old ladies, the face-melting chili sauce at 3 a.m.—traveling in Asia is inextricably tied up with the food consumed along the way.

Eating vegetarian in Cambodia isn’t always the easiest feat.

For a vegetarian however, this all becomes more difficult. Fish sauce, oyster sauce, those tiny dried shrimp—animals, particularly of the watery sort, seem ubiquitous in many of Southeast Asia’s most popular dishes.

True, Phnom Penh has plenty of vegetarian options when it comes to restaurants and cafes. But is a meat-free Cambodian street-food experience possible? Phnom Penh Food Tours says the answer is yes.

The “by foodies, for foodies” tour company offers visitors an opportunity to taste some of the many flavors of Cambodia’s capital. Their tours cover all kinds of eating experiences, including—luckily for this non-carnivore—an outing highlighting some of the rather rare Cambodian vegetarian foods.

We started off at 7:45 a.m. at the National Post Office, a fantastic architectural remnant of the French era where philatelists can score some of the country’s eclectic stamps. (Who knew Cambodia was so interested in space and obscure dog breeds?) The Post Office is near some of the city’s most expensive restaurants, but my guide, Sokha, led me to a small, crowded food stall on a side street for our first meal of the day: a large bowl of creamy borbor saw (rice porridge) with salted eggs and crunchy pickled Japanese radish.

One of Cambodia’s most cherished breakfasts borbor saw, is blissfully meat free.

“We normally come here for the pork and rice,” says Sokha. “But the borbor is great, and we were lucky to find a seat — which is a sign of the high quality of the food.”

At this first stop Sokha explains some basics of Cambodian food-stall eating: the different table sauces, the ever-present green tea, and why it’s a good sign if the cup on the table holding the cutlery is full of hot water, rather than cold (it means the silverware has been recently cleaned).

Our next stop is a nearby market. “We try to stay away from the big markets, in favor of smaller places with a more authentic vibe,” Sokha says as we pass women in colorful headscarves, members of the Cham Muslim ethnic minority, busily gutting and descaling fish, and stalls where mounds of vegetables and fruit await customers.

The large selection of chickens, pigs, frogs, and cattle in various states of dismemberment points to the important role that meat plays in Cambodian cuisine. “You don’t mind seeing the meat here, do you?” Sokha asks a little belatedly.

Guide Sokha deftly maneuvering Phnom Penh’s market scene.

I am more excited about the next stop, a small coffee shop that Sokha promised made great joe. When we walk in, a terrible dubbed Hollywood movie is playing on the TV, and the crowd of drinking, smoking, chatting regulars barely notice our arrival. The shop’s tree-trunk table tops, seats, and decorations make it seem like half of Cambodia’s forests have ended up here.

And the coffee? Thick, black and strong, providing the perfect caffeine kick to fuel the rest of our morning.

Phnom Penh Food Tours concentrates on smaller, more intimate eating experiences that visitors to the capital normally miss. And their vegetarian adventure proves there are plenty of meatless street-food delicacies to discover.

“This tour gives people the confidence to go to a market afterwards and order things themselves,” says Sokha while we explore a series of small markets for the rest of the morning.

Named “pig foot” for its shape, this tasty snack is completely vegetarian.

We tasted a nom jerng chruk which translates as “pig foot cake,” which might seem a funny thing to serve on a vegetarian tour, but the small cakes are actually made from rice flour, jicama, and shallots (no pork!). We tried lort chaa, a plump rice noodle fried with vegetables, local tropical fruits including three types of bananas, and several types of delicious coconut-based cakes and confections. With Sokha by my side, joking with the stall keepers and inquiring about ingredients, I did indeed feel that I really might undertake food explorations on my own in the future.

So come on a tour and bring along some curiosity, a camera, and an empty stomach. A few hours later you’ll be a bit sweatier and a lot fuller, with plenty of great photos and a much better idea of authentic Cambodian food—vegetarian style.

Phnom Penh Food Tours cost $65 per person and can be booked on their website, phnompenhfoodtours.com. There’s a coupon this month for $10 off per person: PPQRG10.

Phnom Penh Food Tours is affiliated with Move to Cambodia (but Pete is not).

Review: Direct bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap

Posted on September 2, 2018 by Lina Goldberg

Before you start reading, are you looking for our full review of how to get from Bangkok to Siem Reap in 2022? If not, carry on.

If you’re heading from Thailand to Cambodia, the Bangkok to Siem Reap direct bus is the easiest way to do the trip overland. Why might you want to go overland, one might ask? For one, it’s a lot less expensive, with the direct bus costing between $28 and $35. For another, if you’re looking to transport large or bulky household goods or have large pieces of luggage, the direct bus is an easier option, particularly because they don’t make you change buses at the border.

Nattakan Transport Co bus Bangkok to Siem Reap

The Nattakan direct bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap (and vice versa)

Bus options

There are now two companies running direct buses between Bangkok and Siem Reap, Nattakan and Giant Ibis.

We have more in-depth reviews of both Nattakan (see below) and Giant Ibis (click here) on this route if you want to get into the nitty-gritty details, but in summary, I have taken both several times and think that Giant Ibis offers a better trip. They leave from a more convenient location near Khao San Road, the buses are brand new and the entire journey, including the border crossing, is smooth. Although the ticket is more expensive at $35, it’s well worth the price.

Buying tickets

If you’re going with Giant Ibis, tickets can be bought online and a seat reserved in advance for $35 with no additional service fees. You can print your ticket out or just show it to them on your phone or device and you’ll get straight onto the bus. Buying online allows you to choose your own seat, and advance purchase is recommended because the bus can get busy in high season.

You can also buy Nattakan tickets between Bangkok and Siem Reap (plus Bangkok and Phnom Penh) on BookMeBus. Tickets cost $28 in either direction, plus a 5% booking fee ($1.40 per ticket). The procedure is simple and you’ll receive an e-ticket that you can either print out or present on your phone when you arrive at the bus station. In high season the buses are often full, so it’s more than worth the booking fee to be able to reserve a seat in advance.

Continue reading →

Review: Siem Reap Plaza Premium Airport Lounge

Posted on August 23, 2018 by Lina Goldberg

Late last year the Siem Reap airport lounge got a complete overhaul. This may not concern many Move to Cambodia readers, but if you, like me, got one of those snazzy new credit cards that includes worldwide select lounge access through Priority Pass, you’re all about hanging out in the lounge, pretending to fly business class when you’re actually going to spend the flight stuck in coach.

Flying biz or just wish you were? Welcome to the Siem Reap lounge.

If you’re a lounge lizard such as myself, you know that the quality of what’s available to Priority Pass members varies widely from airport to airport. Of course they are always better than sitting at the gate the hoi polloi, but some of the lounges haven’t been updated in a decade or two and only serve tiny crustless sandwiches made with semi-stale white bread. Continue reading →

Visiting Koh Rong Sanloem with a dog

Posted on August 19, 2018 by Pete Ford

Traveling in Cambodia has certainly become easier in recent years, but someone who’s trying to get anywhere in the company of a dog is often met with transport staff who shake their heads and apologetically say, “Can not, can not.” Is it possible to travel with a dog in Cambodia, and how difficult is it? We found out when we decided to travel with our puppy to Koh Rong Sanloem.

Awoo! Dogs love the Cambodian islands.

Royal Railway staff confirmed that dogs are not allowed on their service to the coast, and a number of bus reps gave me the same message, so a private taxi seemed to be the only option to get to Sihanoukville, the jumping-off point to the islands.

Not many Cambodian hotels and guesthouses allow pets, so I knew I’d better plan ahead, rather than just turn up and hope for the best. Even in Phnom Penh, dogs aren’t welcomed by most places. Of the more than 400 hotels, hostels, and guesthouses listed for Phnom Penh on one popular booking site, only 30 say they allow pets. Yes, that’s less than 10 percent.

Still, there are pet-friendly options for most budgets. And selecting the “pets” filter on Booking.com brought up a handful of options in Sihanoukville and on Koh Rong Sanloem that would accommodate two people and a puppy in need of shelter.

We spent a night in Sihanoukville at getting the ferry over to Koh Rong Sanloem, aside from actually getting the dog into the ferry—nautical she ain’t. None of the staff seemed at all bothered by her presence. In fact, there was another dog on board on our return trip a few days later.

We were pleased to discover that Koh Rong Sanloem itself is very dog-friendly. The wide sandy beaches and forest walks gave our puppy plenty of space to run around in, and the other dogs we met, mostly belonging to guesthouses and restaurants on the island, were usually friendly.

The shallow waters of Saracen Bay are perfect for doggy frolics.

Koh Rong Sanloem’s main beach, Saracen Bay, has developed quickly since the days when Lazy Beach was the only accommodation on the island. Today it offers a mix that ranges from low-cost backpacker party options all the way up to $120-a-night luxury. The island’s Cambodian restaurants serve standard seafood and noodle dishes, and there’s Turkish, Italian, and French cuisine for those missing the foods of home. And the best part is, they’re all dog-friendly.

Beach Park Resort was as dog-friendly as advertised and even had its own cute puppy to serve as a playmate. The evening music was rather too loud for the aging ears of the humans in our party, though. Somewhere catering less to flashpackers might be a better option to fully enjoy the islands, and finding a dog-friendly option on the notoriously laid-back islands isn’t difficult.

As for dog-entertaining adventures, the two-hour hike to the old French-colonial lighthouse is a standout, with an easy-to-follow trail through forests complete with monkeys and water buffalo for puppy distraction. (Enjoy these forests before they disappear!) The view from the top is worth the effort, but remember to bring water, since there is none to be found along the way.

And then there are the beaches, of course. White sands, clear water, and plenty of guesthouse staff picking up litter (especially over at Lazy Beach—great job, guys!) make the effort of getting to the island totally worth it, for however long you are able to escape the bustle and heat of Phnom Penh. Your dog will probably appreciate the change in scenery as much as you do.

Exporting pets from Cambodia explained

Posted on July 24, 2018 by Lina Goldberg

If you’ve picked up a dog or two in Cambodia (it’s hard to resist), be sure to plan in advance when it’s time to go home. The entire process of exporting a pet from Cambodia usually takes four to six months, so be prepared. The following instructions are for the US, EU, and UK, which have fairly similar procedures. Although I mention specific vets in this post, you are free to use any qualified vet in Cambodia.

exporting pet from Cambodia via Thailand

Don’t worry, it’s possible to take your furry friend home from Cambodia with you.

Steps to export a pet from Cambodia:

Microchip and registration
Rabies shot
Rabies Antibody Titration Test (not required for the US)
Export Permit
Third-country veterinary certificate and declaration (or health certificate for the US)
Tapeworm treatment (dogs only for select EU countries and UK)

Further information:

Thailand transit information
Special UK and Ireland information
Special US information
Microchip and registration

For the US, EU, and UK, your pet will need a 15-digit microchip that is registered online. The microchip must be implanted before their last rabies vaccination and their rabies titre test. The cost is $80 at VSL in Phnom Penh or $25 at Ouk Hok Sy Veterinary or Angkor Vet Clinic in Siem Reap, and can be done as far in advance as you would like.

VSL additionally offers a $25 pet travel consultation service where they will help make sure you are following all of the steps correctly.

Rabies vaccination

Because Cambodia is classed as a ‘high rabies country’ all pets will need to have rabies vaccinations before they go. At least one of their shots needs to be given after they are microchipped (but it can be done at the same appointment). Rabies vaccinations done before the pet is microchipped are not valid for travel. Be sure to have a record of all of your vaccinations in a vaccination book or “pet passport.”

30 days after their rabies shot, you can proceed to the rabies antibody titre test.

Rabies antibody titration test

The rabies antibody titration test is a blood test that confirms that your pet has the correct amount of antibodies in response to the rabies vaccine in its bloodstream. The test cannot be given for 30 days after the last rabies vaccination. The test must be done from a EU-approved laboratory, and once your pet has received a passing grade, you must wait 3 calendar months to export.

VSL Veterinary Clinic in Phnom Penh charge $200 for this service and the results take approximately 6 weeks to come back.

If you are in Siem Reap or have multiple dogs you can send the blood samples directly to an approved lab yourself to save some money. This is also a good option if you need your results more quickly. Many expats have had great experiences with BioBest lab in the UK.

To do it yourself, you will need to go to a qualified veterinarian to get a blood sample and ask them to convert it into serum. The cost is $25 per animal at VSL in Phnom Penh and $20 with Ouk Hok Sy Veterinary in Siem Reap.

Then, following the very detailed instructions from the BioBest site, ship the samples to them using an reliable shipper such as DHL. The cost for shipping from Cambodia is around $85 using DHL, and less than $40 if you use EMS. BioBest charges £60/$80 to test each sample. They will email you your results within 2-7 business days, and include a scan of the certificate. You can choose to have the results shipped to you by regular airmail for free, with airmail with tracking for £10 ($14), or couriered for £80 ($110). Adding the tracking option infinitely increases the odds that your mail will be delivered in a reasonable amount of time (and be sure to include your phone number as part of your return address so the post office will call you to pick it up).

If your pet gets a passing grade, after 3 calendar months you are free to leave Cambodia after completing the following steps.

Getting ready to leave Cambodia with a pet.

Cambodia export permit

All animals leaving Cambodia must be issued an export permit from the Ministry of Agriculture in Phnom Penh. The export permit can be issued in advance (exactly how long is not defined, but some have gotten theirs more than 30 days in advance) but the exact date of travel must be supplied at the time of application. Your pet does not need to be present.

The cost is $20 if you get the permit directly at the Department of Animal Health and Husbandry [map]. As usual, the official fee is unknown—in all likelihood it’s probably supposed to be free! You can usually get the permit the same day if you arrive in the morning. Bring a document detailing your flight information, pet’s name, vaccination records for both rabies and up-to-date annual vaccinations, and a copy of your passport.

You can also request an export permit from your vet. The cost at VSL in Phnom Penh is $60 and at it’s included with the health certificate mentioned in the next step at Angkor Vet Clinic in Siem Reap for $40. Going through a vet is much easier, but takes a little bit longer—usually 7 to 10 working days, but beware of Cambodian holidays as this can cause it to take even longer.

Your dog will need more paperwork to leave Cambodia than you will.

Third-country veterinary health certificate and Declaration (or health certificate for the US)

If you’re headed to the EU or UK, you’ll need to get a third-country veterinary health certificate and Declaration for the Non-Commercial Movement of Animals issued within 10 days of you entry into Europe. Also known as the ‘Annex IV,’ these are complicated, multi-page documents that can be found on the official EU and UK pet-moving sites. You can find a sample form online.

The cost for these third-country vet health forms varies. VSL in Phnom Penh charges $60 and Angkor Pet Clinic in Siem Reap charges $40 for this and the Cambodia export permit. Be sure to check the document carefully when you receive it, because many Cambodia vets are not experienced with this paperwork and several expats have caught mistakes on theirs.

It is also important to note that at the time of writing, VSL in Phnom Penh is the only clinic that submits their Annex IV forms to the Ministry of Agriculture for endorsement (which means their forms take 10 days to business days to complete). It’s not entirely clear if this is necessary as many have entered Europe without it, but VSL is easily the most knowledgeable in Cambodia when it comes to pet importing and exporting, so their interpretation is probably the correct one, even if it is not being currently enforced. Other clinics offer same-day turnaround but no official endorsement.

Dogs who are going to the US just need a simple health certificate from their veterinarian, and a screwworm certificate that must be issued less than 5 days before they travel. Cats headed to the US do not need either, unless the airline requires it (and many do).

Tapeworm treatment

Dogs flying to Finland, Norway, Malta, Ireland or the UK will need a tapeworm treatment at least 24 hours before they leave. The treatment must be administered by a licensed veterinarian. Once the treatment is administered, it is good for 120 hours (5 days), so make sure you schedule your trip to arrive in your destination country in that time frame. The cost is $4 to $20 (depending on the weight of the dog) and can be administered at the same time the veterinary health certificate is being completed, or immediately before you leave.

Airlines and airline regulations

Be sure to check with your airline in advance to make sure they do not have any additional regulations regarding carriers, as most will have specific requirements.

Some airlines also have restrictions on certain breeds of dog or weight limits. They will require the crate to be large enough for your pet to stand up without touching the ceiling and to be able to turn around comfortably. Others may require additional transit certificates for the transit city.

Different airlines have different pricing scales for traveling with pets in cabin or as baggage. The cost is usually around $100 for pets that travel in the cabin and $200 to $250 for those who travel as baggage, although some airlines charge by weight. Some may charge extra if you have a layover more than a few hours to cover the extra service of feeding or checking on your pet. For instance, KLM charges $200 for this service, but will take your pet for a walk.

Be sure to let the airline know in advance that you will be traveling with a pet as some have a limit on the total number of pets that can be on a flight.

Some airlines that fly from Cambodia and allow pets are: Vietnam Airlines, Qatar, Cathay Pacific, EVA, Bangkok Airways, Thai, Asiana, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines. Lufthansa and KLM also travel from Bangkok, but codeshare with Bangkok Airways to leave from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. Note that Cambodia Angkor Air do not allow pets, and this includes flights that are code-shared with Vietnam Airlines.

Thailand pet export permit quarantine office

If you’re traveling through Thailand with a pet, there are additional requirements.

Traveling through Thailand?

If you are traveling to Bangkok overland, or are planning to leave the airport with your pet between your flights, you will need to go to a quarantine office for a transit permit for your pet. You should apply for your transit permit at least 7 days in advance by email, qsap_bkk@dld.go.th.

The procedure is designed for those transiting by plane, so if you are flying into Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport, head directly to the quarantine office and get your paperwork and have your pet’s microchip scanned, which you will need to board your next flight.

If you are traveling overland to Bangkok, the procedure is a bit unclear. Although technically you should get a transit permit, the quarantine office at the land borders add an extra complication to your journey and are not strictly necessary. If you’d like to do it by the book, head to the quarantine office at the border (for the Poipet/Aranyaprathat border the quarantine office is approximately 8km away) and be prepared to spend a fair amount of time there, as very little English is spoken and the staff are not familiar with the transit permit paperwork. Once you complete the process, you’ll still need to visit the office at Suvarnabhumi to get your pet’s microchip scanned.

The other option (because no one seems to ask to see any paperwork at the Cambodia border anyway) is to skip the quarantine office at the border and head straight to Suvarnabhumi and get an export permit instead. If you get an export permit rather than a transit permit in advance, your pet will need a health check at the airport. The cost for a transit permit is 260 Thai baht ($8) per animal.

They say you need to go 2 to 3 days in advance to get the transit permit, but as the health check and paperwork processing usually takes less than 4 hours, many expats only stop in Thailand for a day. Be warned, though, that the office is only open Monday through Friday until 4 or 4:30 p.m. and is closed on all of the many Thai holidays, so make sure to give yourself enough time before your flight. Also get there a little bit before they open at 8:30 a.m., because a line quickly forms and often includes pet store exporters with a dozen dogs, which can make for a long day of waiting.

The staff at Suvarnabhumi quarantine office are very well-versed with the forms you will need, so make sure your Annex IV and vaccinations are in order, otherwise you will not be able to leave Thailand. If you need any additional paperwork from a local vet, some expats have used Relo4Paws, a UK organization based in Bangkok that sends soi dogs abroad for adoption.

There are many pet-friendly hotels in Bangkok, including Ploykhumthong Boutique Resort and Villa Volpi Bed and Breakfast, which are both fairly close to the airport. There is also a cat-sitting service where you can leave your cat overnight.

You cannot import a pit bull or American Staffordshire terrier into Thailand, so these dogs cannot go overland or exit the airport, nor will Thailand issue an export permit for pets less than four months of age.

There are several official Thailand government sites about importing and exporting pets that you can check for additional information.

dog in pet friendly cabin on the Amsterdam Newcastle ferry

A pet-friendly cabin on the Amsterdam to Newcastle ferry.

Special note about exporting pets into the UK or Ireland

The requirements for importing a pet into the UK or Ireland is mostly the same as the rest of the EU listed above, although there is one major complication. Pets cannot come into the UK either in the cabin of the plane or as excess baggage. Instead, they must be shipped as cargo, which requires hiring an agent on either end to manage the process (you cannot do this yourself). This makes the process much more expensive, and costs approximately $2500 to $3000 per animal.

In Cambodia, Pet Services Cambodia and Animal Mama offer this service, but they only organize the shipment and do not move the pets themselves. To work with the shipper directly, AWG Trucking Service has a pet moving specialist, Ms. Him Socheata (operation@awglogistics.biz, 077 722 788, 016 581 757) who is very responsive by email and speaks excellent English. There are additional companies in Thailand and Malaysia that can be found online.

Note that while you do not need to be on the same flight as your pet if they are shipped as cargo, you must fly within 5 days of them.

Many expats who are going to the UK or Ireland circumvent this requirement by flying to somewhere in the EU, and then traveling onward to the UK by road or ferry. The most popular routes are flying to Paris and then driving through the Channel Tunnel (pets are not allowed on the Eurostar train) to Folkestone in the South of England, or flying to Amsterdam and going to the UK by ferry.

There are several ferry routes from Holland, including Amsterdam to Newcastle, Rotterdam to Hull, and the Hook of Holland to Harwich, some of which will allow you to bring your pet in the cabin with you, while others have a special kennel on board. If you are traveling by sea or rail, you must use one of the routes approved by the UK government, or you will not be allowed entry.

You will also need to have your pet given a tapeworm pill by a vet (and get a document certifying this) no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours (five days) before you enter the UK.

If you take more than 5 days to enter the UK from the time you leave Cambodia, your dog will need to get an additional tapeworm treatment (Dierenkliniek Duinwijklaan in Amsterdam was happy to do this). You also must enter the EU within 10 days of your official veterinary certificate being issued. When you arrive in the EU you will need to get it signed and stamped, and it is then valid for 4 months for additional travel with the EU (including to the UK). After that you will need to get a EU pet passport.

For more information about bringing a pet to the UK, see their official government site. Note that regulations for bringing animals into the UK via Europe may change because of Brexit, but it is still unclear if and when that will happen.

One added requirement for Ireland is your pet will need a compliance check on arrival. You can organize the compliance check in advance with Lissenhall Veterinary Hospital (lissenhallvet@eircom.net) or Vets Direct (info@vetsdirect.ie).

For more information about bringing a pet to Ireland, check their official government site.

Special note about exporting pets to the USA

You must bring a record of your pet’s vaccinations, and more specifically their rabies vaccinations to comply with US Department of Agriculture guidelines. But be aware that some states have additional guidelines, so be sure to check in advance. Hawaii has particularly stringent requirements. To find out more, visit the Department of Agriculture’s page about importing and exporting pets to the US and the CDC page on the same topic.

Special note about exporting pets to Australia

Australia’s regulations are considerably more stringent and complicated and are not covered in this guide. Pets cannot be imported to Australia directly from Cambodia and need to stay in a third country such as Malaysia to complete the necessary blood tests before they fly. The process can take between two and six months. For a good overview of the process there’s a very detailed blog by someone who has done it.

Still have questions?

The Expets Cambodia group on Facebook is dedicated solely to importing and exporting pets from Cambodia. If you have questions, check their first, and get up-to-date travel stories from those who have already done it to help calm your nerves.

VSL Veterinary Clinic
Open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and 3 until 7 p.m., and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
33 Street 334, BKK1, Phnom Penh
T: 023 986 640
vslveterinary.com

Ouk Hok Sy Veterinary
Open Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Hours vary on Sundays, call to check
“Bamboo Street”, Wat Damnak, Siem Reap [map]
T: 012 938 892
facebook.com/Ouk-Hok-Sy-Veterinary

Angkor Vet Clinic
Open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekends 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Central Market Street, Siem Reap [map]
T: 086 330 868
facebook.com/angkorvetclinic

* This post was written based on my own and the experiences of many other expats, and in consultation with Cambodia veterinarians. That said, things change in Cambodia regularly, so it’s a good idea to do a sanity check on even the most thorough of blog posts.

Things to do on the islands: Koh Rong boat trips

Posted on June 25, 2018 by Jessica Murdoch

Our guide to what to do on Koh Rong got to be so long that we’ve had to split it up into sections. Enjoy!

Want to explore remote beaches, visit local villages and nearby islands, snorkel over coral reefs, and fish with the locals while getting the best value for your money? Koh Rong has boat trip options to cater for everyone, from budget travelers to adventure seekers.

Budget travelers should go for the local longtail boat trips on Koh Rong, which include dinner.

Local Boat Trips

If you’re looking for an authentic local experience on a budget, the local boat trips cost only $10. While your boat captain may not speak English very well (or at all), life-jackets aren’t guaranteed and your experience may vary, these basic boat trips on longtail fishing boats (pictured above) offer a good budget option and run fairly well most of the time. Speak to your guest-house for advice on the most reputable companies to go with.

Price: $10
Schedule: Daily, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Activities: Snorkeling around Koh Toch Island, Fishing, BBQ, Sunset at Long Beach, Plankton Swim
What’s included: Fresh fruit snacks, BBQ on the boat, one beer, whiskey mixers, small bottles of fresh drinking water
Other things to know: Please bring sunscreen, towel, and a dry change of clothing. Additional beers available for purchase.

Ankounamatata offers snorkeling trips to Koh Rong Sanloem from Koh Rong.

Ankounamatata Boat Trip

Enjoy snorkeling and want a taste of Koh Rong Sanloem, without the commitment of spending a night there? Ankounamatata has a Western English-speaking tour guide and a clean, freshly-painted white longtail boat leaving Koh Toch Village daily. As local waters have been over-fished and hold little satisfaction for the optimistic fisherman, Ankounamatata is the only company excluding fishing from their boat trip and helping to preserve native wildlife.

Price: $20
Schedule: Daily, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Activities: Snorkeling around Koh Toch and Koh Koun nature conservation island, two-course lunch at M’Pai Bay restaurant, exploring local village at M’Pai Bay on Koh Rong Samloem, optional beach games at Suns of Beaches or Coconut Beach, bonfire and sunset at Nature Beach, nighttime plankton swim

What’s included: Fresh fruit, lunch, two beers, (nearly) unlimited whiskey and mixers, fresh drinking water, cocktail at sunset

Other things to know: Please bring sunscreen, flip-flops, towel, and something to cover up in M’Pai village. Free seasickness tablets available if required. Must be taken 1 hour prior to departure. A small amount of money is recommended if you wish to have a cheap massage on Coconut Beach, or buy local snacks at M’Pai Bay, or additional beers. No refunds if cancelled after 10 a.m. on the day of the trip.

Go on a Koh Rong boating adventure with Adventure Adam!

Adventure Adam Boat Trip

Want to really see and experience Koh Rong Island? Adventure Adam runs three boat trips a week, with every trip a unique adventure. If conditions permit, you may get to go around the whole island. Each trip includes exploring a local village and spending time on remote beaches that the other boat trips do not usually visit and may also include unique experiences such as visiting other islands, waterfalls, and jungle areas.

Price: $25
Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Activities: Snorkeling, guidance and information, explore less-touristed locations, fishing, BBQ, explore Koh Rong beaches, beach games, visit local village on Koh Rong, sunset, plankton swim

What’s included:
Fresh fruit and snacks in morning and afternoon, free bottled water, two beers, four bottles whiskey and mixers, BBQ lunch

Other things to know: Please bring sunscreen, flip-flops, and towel. Guys will need a t-shirt and women need something to cover up shoulders and knees in the local Cambodian villages. Customers should have breakfast before meeting at 9 a.m.

Sandbank Boat Trip

New to the scene, Sandbank on Longset (4K) Beach is running 3 boat trips a week on alternate days to Adventure Adam, with each trip exploring different parts of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem, conditions permitting. The trip starts in front of the Sandbank Restaurant in the middle of Longset Beach, with pick up at other places on Longset or Koh Toch Main Village possible on demand. They publish on Facebook if they can’t go for any reason, and offer a full refund if they must cancel.

Price: $25
Schedule: Three days a week, each to a different location. All tours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays go around Koh Rong, Fridays go to eastern Koh Rong, and Sundays go around Koh Rong Sanloem.
Activities: Visit a local village, visit other beaches, fishing, snorkeling, BBQ sunset, nighttime plankton swim

What’s included: Fresh fruit, BBQ, 3 beers or soft drinks

Other things to know: Please bring sunscreen, flip-flops, and a towel. Guys will need a t-shirt and women need something to cover up shoulders and knees in the local Cambodian villages.

If you’re more comfortable on a bigger boat, try The Islander.

Islander Boat Trip

If local longtail boats aren’t for you, then look no further than ‘The Islander’. Equipped with a bar, kitchen, DJ, washroom and even a slide, this triple-decker party boat has a capacity of 150 people and offers a more comfortable boat trip option.

Price: $25
Schedule: Daily, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Activities: Snorkeling around Koh Toch, fishing available, sunset at Long Beach (Sok San Beach), nighttime plankton swim

What’s included: Unlimited fresh water, tea, coffee, two alcoholic drinks, fresh fruit snacks, vegetarian meal on the boat and fried fish (if you catch them!)

Other things to know:
Please bring sunscreen, towel, and a dry change of clothing. Additional drinks available for purchase (so bring cash).

Move to Cambodia