CAMBODIA FACT SHEET FOR JOURNALISTS VISITING CAMBODIA

The CIA Factbook for basic information about Cambodia:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cb.html

Press passes:
Applications for general press passes can be picked up at the Ministry of Information. You will need to bring two passport-sized photos and $5.

Applications and instructions for media accreditation at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia are available at the Court’s Web site: http://www.eccc.gov.kh/english/mediaRelations.aspx

Where are all the journalists?
Informal meetings of media people usually take place on Thursday night at Cantina, a legendary TexMex restaurant located on the riverside.

Other social events such as the News Cruise, will be announced on the OPCC website.

Getting in/getting out
Cambodia has one international airport in Phnom Penh and a regional one in Siem Reap. It is also possible to enter the country by land from Vietnam, Thailand and Laos.

Visas for Cambodia can usually be obtained before or on arrival to the country. There are two categories for the initial visa: tourist and business. Both last one month but a tourist visa, which costs $20, can be extended only once for a further month. It is a single entry visa. The business visa, which costs $25, can be renewed for up to a year indefinitely. One- to three-month business visas are single entry only, while six-month to a year allows for multiple entries.

Getting sick
Chances are that you get ill. Most corner pharmacies stock basic medicines like Paracetamol and Imodium, as well as some not so basic drugs like Valium, Xanax and other, stronger fixes. But these are often dispensed by untrained staff with little regard for diagnosis, side effects, etc.

For those who are not comfortable self medicating from a dispensary of random pills, there are Western-style pharmacies, most notably U-Care, located at three locations in the capital, including on the corner of Street 178 and Sothearos Boulevard (one block west from the FCC) and Pharmacie de la gare, located on Monivong Boulevard near the train station. Both have people on staff who can help you diagnose yourself and find a suitable medication.

For more serious ailments, visit International SOS Health and Dental at house 161, Street 51 (Rue Pasteur) or Naga Medical Clinic, at house 11, Street 254. Another option is the Tropical&Travellers Medical Clinic, at house 88, Street 108 between Monivong and Norodom boulevards. There are also numerous other clinics and hospitals, but they vary widely in quality of care.

It is advisable to carry health insurance.


More information can be found at: http://cambodia-immigration.com/index.aspx?option=com_content&task=view&id=30&Itemid=51&lang=en

News Outlets:

Agence Kampuchea Presse
http://www.camnet.com.kh/akp/

The Cambodia Daily
http://www.camnet.com.kh/cambodia.daily/

Cambodge Soir
http://www.cambodgesoir.info/

The Phnom Penh Post
www.phnompenhpost.com

Voice of America
http://www.voanews.com/khmer/

Government Spokespeople, all of whom speak good English:

Khieu Kanharith
Minister, Ministry of Information
016/012-805-994

Phay Siphan
Secretary of State/spokesman, Council of Ministers
012-444-976; 012-914-885

Koy Kuong
Spokesman, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
012 478 759

Lt-Gen Khieu Sopheak,
Spokesman, Ministry of Interior
012-771678

General Chhum Socheat
Spokesman, Ministry of Defence
012-253678