During Tour
Cambodia Tour
Local time is GMT + 7 hours. Most business offices are open from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. Banks generally operate from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Most private companies work on Saturdays, while government offices are closed.
LANGUAGE
Khmer is the official language. English and French are popular second languages.
INTERNET
It is easy and cheap to access the Internet and emails in Cambodia. There are a plenty of internet cafes and many are open until late at night. Currently the charge is between 50 cents to 1 USD per hour, and falling.
POST AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
There are two gateways for international telephone access from Cambodia by dialing 001 or 007 followed by the country code and the phone number.
There are also four cellular phone service providers offering convenient communication via the GSM system, therefore many citizens now carry mobile phones. International Direct Dialing (IDD) calls and faxing are also available.
DOMESTIC FLIGTS & AIRPORT TAXES
Flight times may vary from day to day. Schedules are subject to change without prior notice. You should allow an hour at the airport for the check-in process prior to your flight departure. Baggage allowance is 20kg per person in economy class. Hand luggage should not weigh more than 7kg. Airport departure tax for domestic and international flights is included in the airfare issued.
FOOD AND DRINKS
Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanouk Ville are three special places for connoisseurs of Khmer food. Rice and fish, together with an array of herbs, sauces, and spices, are the typical Khmer cuisine. Curries and soup with beef, pork, poultry, and seafood can be bought from vendors along the streets. Cuisine from all over the world is also found in Cambodia with over 100 restaurants such as European, American, Mexican, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Korean, Vietnamese and many others, so visitors will be able to have many choices here.
SOUVENIR
The Krama (a traditional cotton scarf) is one of the most popular, typical Cambodian souvenirs. This multi-purpose garment, similar to a sarong, is used for bathing, cleaning, protection from the sun and many other purposes in the Khmer life. It is also one of the national symbols that distinguishes the Khmer people from their neighbors. Both cotton and silk Krama are available throughout local markets and souvenir shops. Ask the seller to demonstrate the proper way to wear the Krama so that you may carry and wear it yourself while sightseeing for a more elegant and traditional look.
Thailand Tour
TIME ZONE & WORKING HOUR***
Most commercial concerns in Bangkok operate on a five-day week, usually from 8 am to 5 pm. Many stores open seven days a week from 10 am to 10 pm. Government offices are generally open between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm with a noon to 1 pm lunch break, Monday to Friday except on public holidays. Banks are open Mondays to Fridays from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, except on public holidays.
MUSEUMS OPENING TIME***
Thailand’s museums cover every possible subject – the country’s monarchs, hill tribes, etc. There is even a forensic museum in Bangkok housing corpses of infamous murderers! Of course serious history and culture buffs will want to visit Bangkok’s National Museum, but it’s worth noting that almost every province has a National Museum covering important aspects of that area’s past. Thailand has an abundance of museums for you to discover.
LANGUAGE
Spoken and written Thai is largely incomprehensible to the casual visitor. However, English is widely understood, particularly in Bangkok where it is almost the major commercial language. English and some European languages are spoken in most hotels, shops, and restaurants in major tourist destinations, and Thai-English road and street signs are found nationwide.
INTERNET
Broadband Internet is readily available in major cities and towns, but is still to be sought after in smaller villages and in the countryside.
POST AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
The telephone system in Thailand, operated by the government-subsidized Telephone Organization of Thailand (TOT) under the Communications Authority of Thailand (CAT) is quite efficient, and from Bangkok you can usually direct-dial most major centers with little difficulty. The telephone country code for Thailand is 66.
DOMESTIC FLIGTS & AIRPORT TAXES
Thailand currently has senven international airports, in Bangkok: Suvarnabhumi airport & Don Muang Airport, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hat Yai, Ko Samui and Phuket. Domestic airports are at Mae Hong Son, Nan, Lampang, Phrae, Mae Sot, Phitsanulok, Udon Thani, Sakhon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Phetchabun, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchasima, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Krabi, Trang and Narathiwat.
FOOD AND DRINKS
Thailand’s cuisine is regarded by many people as one of the best in the world. And, if variety is the spice of life, you can literally have a different meal every day of the year. Almost all Thai food is cooked with fresh ingredients, including vegetables, poultry, pork, fish and some beef. Lime juice, lemon grass and fresh coriander give the food its characteristic tang, while liberal helpings of fresh chilies are used to add some fire to many dishes. Other common seasonings include black pepper, ginger, tamarind, and coconut milk, which is often added to curries.
Beers, wines, and spirits are readily available but the imported items can be a little expensive. A big favorite among Thai people is rice whisky of which Mehkong is the leading brand. It has a sharp, sweet taste similar to rum. Several brands of beer are produced in Thailand. The most popular is the local Singha beer.
SHOPPING & BARGAINING
Thai silks, cottons, silverware, bronze ware, pottery and celadon, precious stones, finished jewelry, and a dazzling range of folk handicrafts make memorable gifts and souvenirs. International standard ready-made sports and leisurewear is inexpensive and quality tailors and dressmakers offer reliable 24-hour services in Bangkok and major tourism destinations.