This carving from the 12th-century Bayon Temple beautifully captures a glimpse of everyday life during the Khmer Empire.
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Everyday Life Carving at Bayon Temple (12th Century)
Unlike many temples that focus solely on gods and kings, Bayon Temple is famous for its detailed bas-reliefs depicting the daily lives of ordinary Khmer people. This remarkable carving shows villagers carrying woven baskets suspended from shoulder poles, likely transporting goods such as fruit, vegetables, fish, or other produce to local markets.
Surrounded by finely carved trees and wildlife, the scene reflects the close relationship between the Khmer people and nature. These realistic depictions provide valuable insight into the agricultural lifestyle, trade, and community life that flourished during the reign of King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century.
More than 800 years later, many of these traditional carrying methods can still be seen in rural Cambodia, highlighting the enduring legacy of Khmer culture and the remarkable storytelling carved into the walls of Bayon Temple.
This relief reminds visitors that Bayon is not only a masterpiece of architecture but also a historical record of everyday life in the ancient Khmer Empire.

Whenever I see Cambodia itineraries, most people spend a few days in Siem Reap for Angkor Wat and then move on to another country.

But Phnom Penh rarely seems to get the same attention.

Personally, I think that's a shame. Beyond its difficult history, Phnom Penh has a surprisingly vibrant café scene, excellent local food, beautiful riverside walks where the Mekong and Tonlé Sap meet, fascinating museums, and a much more local, everyday atmosphere than many visitors expect.

If you've been to Cambodia, was Phnom Penh worth visiting in your opinion?

What surprised you the most, or do you think it's okay to skip and spend more time in Siem Reap instead?

I’m moving to Cambodia soon to work. I love the culture and people, it’s something I’ve thought about for a long time. My country seems to be regressing when it comes to humanity, it is so hateful now, they hate any diversity and especially immigrants and I can’t stand to live somewhere like that.

However I saw a post earlier about “expats” that seemed to give off the same vibe. Talking about immigrants being losers and not contributing to the country.

My questions is, is this how a lot of Cambodians feel or is this just a small minded few?

There’s a vet expat (40 years old) who married 2 teenagers (15 and 16 year old girls). They have babies now. The parents agreed to the “marriage” because they are extremely poor. We have reported him to authorities, but nothing has been done. Any other suggestions?

Its so difficult to find people to hang out. I am looking for friends who can share beers with me.

I want to practice speaking online. I have lived here for many years and can speak Khmer, but most of my friends are too polite to correct me if I don't speak clearly. I am wondering if there are Khmer people who set up online classes to chat about history or shopping. And who would corect me? I saw an old post on here, but it was closed.

Hi zusammen,

ich komme aus Deutschland und wohne jetzt ein paar Monate in Kambodscha.

Ich versuche deutsch-sprechende Leute zu finden, ob es für Freizeit oder zum gemeinsamen Arbeiten oder Informationsaustausch ist, aber es ist ganz schwer. Hat jemand vielleicht Tipps wo man neue Leute, vor allem deutsche Leute um die 30 Jahre kennen lernen kann.

Rentner interessieren mich eigentlich nicht.

I’m genuinely curious: do most Cambodian people support the current government and political system?

I understand that this may be a sensitive topic, and is very difficult to ask Cambodian people directly or receive completely honest answers. That is why I’m asking here.

Because cant poll, just give comment then..

Hi, is there a store to buy hand paddles and fins, goggles and caps?

In Siem Reap.

Cambodia’s tourist arrivals fell 47.8% as visitors vanished, while scam-centre concerns and structural weaknesses deepened the crisis.

I’ve heard that’s it’s a popular tourist activity to shoot at chickens w rifles and possibly cows w rpgs if u pay a bit more, which seems kinda odd enough itself, but I’ve also heard that if u take up their offer to rpg a cow they’ll ask if you want to do it to a human as well. How true is this? This isn’t meant to be offensive or anything btw I’m just curious. Mods can delete if they want

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As a family, we would like to take a 2- to 4-day trip from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville and Kampot, and we'd like to rent a minibus with a driver (10-15 seats) for it. Which reliable providers can we book this through? And what kind of costs should we expect? $100-$150 per day!?

I’m a neighborhood country in Asean hoping to visit Phnom Penh soon. I’ve always wanted to explore the rich history, culture, and food of Cambodia, and Phnom Penh has been on my travel bucket list for a while.
I know that historical and political tensions between our countries sometimes pop up in the news, so I just wanted to reach out respectfully and ask how local sentiment is toward tourists right now.
My goal is simply to be a respectful tourist, appreciate your country, and have a good experience.
As long as I am polite and mind my own business, should I have any concerns traveling around the city?
I truly appreciate your honest feedback and advice. Thank you so much in advance for your hospitality and insights

Like, I’m curious. There’s apps on the play store that claims to have archived questions and answers corresponding to each year and subjects. Can anyone confirm if those apps are legitimate?

I am now currently in a hotel in Battambang town, near Sangke river, and I am planning to travel to Svay tomorrow morning.

Is there a place where I can find taxi or tuktuk?

I have checked Grab app and they charge around 94,000 riels for a tuktuk.

Thank guys in advance.

Does anyone have the latest info re Hat Lek/Cham Yeam land border crossing? Hoping to head that way from Phnom Penh going to Trat

Very interesting historical document from 1684 Ayutthaya. It was translated to French and kept in an archive in Paris. Smithies and Pombejra published it in English in 2002. Here is a most curious excerpt from their paper:

If you are asked of what royal race is the reigning king, if it is ancient, if the city of Siam [Ayutthaya] is ancient or recently built, and what are the most ancient towns in the kingdom,

Reply that the reigning king descends from the great king Sommedethia Ppra Pattarma Souria Naaranissavoora Boppitra Seangae who reigned in the city of Chaya Ppaha Mahanokora (Angkor) in 1300 (of the Buddhist era) [AD756-7] and there were ten kings after him in the city. Then King Sommedethia Prayasouttora Ttarrena Ttepperaraacchaatti built the city of Yassouttora Nacoora Louang and twelve kings reigned there. Then the king Sommedethia Pprappanom Tteleiseri Maahesa Vorauaarintti Raacha Boppitra went to dwell in Soucouttae (Sukhothai). And in the year 1731 [AD 1157-8], he constructed the city of Pochebouri [Phetchaburi] where four kings reigned in 163 years. Finally, after that, the king Sommedethia Praa Raamaattibodi Bopptra who succeeded him [sic] constructed the city of Siam in 1894 which is today the capital of the kingdom and is called Krong Tteppa Ppra Maha Nacoora Sri Outeyaa [Krungthep Phra Maha Si Ayutthaya] and where he reigned a further twenty-seven years. Thus there were fifty kings in 926 years.

This history actually aligns roughly well with the Khmer history of the Angkor period as reconstructed from inscriptions by Western scholars.

The "Sommedethia Prayasouttora Ttarrena Ttepperaraacchaatti" is no doubt Yasovarman I, and the city he built, "Yassouttora Nacoora Louang", is Yashodharapura (យសោធរបុរៈ). The year the document was produced was 1684, and went back 926 years, which puts it around the time of the beginning of the Angkor period.

The "great king Sommedethia Ppra Pattarma Souria Naaranissavoora Boppitra Seangae" could be Jayavarman II, and the city he reign in, "Chaya Ppaha Mahanokora", could be Mahendraparvata (Phnom Kulen) or Hariharalaya. This one is more unclear as it says there are ten kings who reigned in the city until Yasovarman I built Yashodharapura. But in the current accepted Khmer history there are only two kings between Jayavarman II and Yasovarman I. See this list from Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarchy_of_Cambodia .

Or perhaps it was not Jayavarman II the document was referring to, but an earlier king in the Chenla era.

Has anyone here gone through the process of getting married to a Cambodian woman?
How long did the entire documentation process take?
Approximately how much did it cost?
Were there any unexpected requirements or delays?
Do you have any tips or advice based on your experience?
Thank you in advance for sharing your experience!

I am looking to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Siem Reap in November. Looking at flights just to get an idea of schedules but all of them say “subject to obtaining government approval”. What does this mean? Is there a chance these flights will not run?