12 frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the Kingdom of Wonder & Phnom Penh

To make your time in Cambodia enjoyable, safe and rewarding, we have answered the most frequently asked questions with some simple responses and some things to be aware of or avoid altogether:

Table of Contents

What general information do I need to know about Cambodia?

FAQ:

Children and baby scams

With their cute faces, it can be difficult to say “no” to the local children. You will see them begging in the streets or selling goods outside tourist sites. Don’t give them money or food. When you do, their parents (or ‘guardians’) see it as better than going to school. If you want to give, do it with a well-known, good organisation.

A young woman may approach you holding a sleepy baby in her arms saying she is hungry and needs food (‘nambai’ or rice). This can be a trap as you may be hit with a large bill at the end of the meal. In many cases, the restaurant and woman split the profit. You may also be approached by a woman with an infant, telling you she needs milk formula. She may take you to a nearby shop and pay $20 – $30 for a tin. Later she returns the tin and the profits are split between the store and the woman. Be prepared to say no and walk away calmly.

Bag snatching

Don’t carry your valuables in your bag hanging off your shoulder. When you do go out, put your backpack on with any straps around your middle, making sure the zips are secure. In crowded places, put it on the front of your body. Be careful in Tuk Tuks too… thieves sometimes run up or drive past and rip your bag away. Also… don’t stand on street with your phone or wallet in your hand – keep them out of sight. Taking selfies is a great opportunity for thieves too… so be careful!

Umbrellas, high season, heat and humidity

When it’s not raining, the sun will burn. Take a small umbrella wherever you go… you will thank me! Pre-plan between November and March (and the main holidays) as you won’t want be without a bed in Cambodia! Get up early, drink lots of water, wear sunscreen, avoid the midday sun and wear light, breathable clothing.

Currency

For anything costing more than $1, you’ll pay in US Dollars. For anything less than $1, you will be given Riel ($1 is equal to about 4000 Riel). With ATMs, you will have the option to choose USD or Riel. Choose USD as it’s widely accepted, easier to understand when converting, plus you will have fewer notes in your pocket. Be careful with the condition of the notes as, if you get one with a rip or tear in it, locals won’t accept it (especially larger values). If you stay calm and say you have no other bills, they will probably take it… but best to avoid this situation!

Language

It will be useful to learn some basic phrases in Khmer, such as:

Hello – Sou sdey (Sounds like ‘Sewer Suday’)
Thank you – Ah Kun (Sounds like ‘Or Kun’)
Sorry – Sohm tou (Sounds like ‘Som Toe’)
No thank you – Ateh Ah Kun (Sounds like ‘Attey Or Kun’)

Elephants

Never ride an elephant; they suffer terribly as they are ‘broken in’ for you to ride. If you do, you are legitimizing the mistreatment of animals.

Tap water, sanitizer and mosquitos

It’s probably better to avoid drinking tap water and use bottled water instead if you are in Cambodia for a short time. It probably won’t kill you but might give you diarrhoea. When you do buy water, get large bottles. You can buy 20 litre bottles for around $1 (which can be delivered, and the empties picked up). Avoid small plastic bottles and bags as plastic is one of the biggest environmental problems in Cambodia. When you use the WC, there may not be toilet paper, a basin or soap. Take sanitizer and tissues with you. Take heavy duty insect spray and use it. Dengue Fever is something to be avoided, not to mention Malaria and Typhoid.

Tuk tuks, moto-dops, Grabs and PassApp

Getting around easy and enjoyable by Tuk Tuk, but take a business card or written address, so you know where to go and be prepared to barter. The cheaper option is to download the ‘Grab’ or ‘PassApp’, which is about half the cost of a Tuk Tuk and is a fixed price. ‘MotoDop’ (on the back of a motorbike) is good when you are in a hurry (plus very cheap), but they may not have a helmet for you.

Sunglasses and face masks

When driving, pollution, dust and grit can get into your eyes, nose and mouth – use a face mask (or ‘krama’ – scarf) and sunglasses.

What to wear

Pack light, breathable, loose clothing – consider vests/singlet tops as well as t-shirts too
Take comfortable footwear – sneakers, flats and sandals
Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and umbrella
Take two ‘temple outfits’ that cover your knees and shoulders
Pack a few ‘nice’ outfits for special dinners or nights out, high-hells are not required

You will need a visa, SIM card and internet

On entering Cambodia, you will need a Visa which is best done before you arrive as an e-visa (go to: https://www.evisa.gov.kh/). If you don’t have one, you get it when you arrive. It costs $30 for a tourist Visa and takes around 5-10 minutes. Make sure you have a spare passport photo with you. When you arrive at an airport, you’ll many vendors outside selling SIM cards, which cost around $3 (2GB of data for 7 days). This means you can immediately start looking up good restaurants using Google Maps. Contact our office for an overview of what’s on offer in internet options. There are often specials too… so just ask!

English and the people

If you don’t speak Khmer, don’t worry… English is widely spoken in Cambodia and you will have no trouble getting around, ordering food or communicating with vendors. Despite experiencing some fairly recent atrocities, they are delightful people. If you smile, they will smile back.

Monks, temples and Angkor Wat

When visiting temples or other official places, women especially must cover their shoulders and knees. You will need a temple pass (Angkor Pass) to access Angkor Wat and other temples around the place, which you can buy from a processing centre on the road to Angkor Wat. As of 1.2.2017, prices have increased to one-day ($37), three-day ($62) and seven-day ($72). Keep your pass safe, as you need to have it with you at all times. If you lose it, you will have to buy another. For more information, go to: https://www.visit-angkor.org/ . In Cambodia, monks are highly respected and you are expected to do the same, especially women. Do not touch or sit too close to a monk and always ask before taking a photo of or with him.

Other things to take

Charge station: Buy a power point converter and take a power board with multiple plug-ins.

Hair products: Pack strong hair ties and hair spray – the humidity will mess any hairstyle.

Medicine: Take a small bag of cold and flu tablets, hay fever/allergy medicine, Ibuprofen, Paracetamol, Buscopan and Imodium. People suffering hay fever, asthma or allergies may find the pollution makes things worse. Don’t forget any prescription medicines or special medications.

Essentials: Take what you love – creams, colognes, perfumes, toothbrush heads and hygiene products, eco-friendly products and products for sensitive skin… it may be difficult to get them in Cambodia. Don’t waste money on travel minis, use refillable 100ml bottles instead!

Daypack: Take a good, comfortable day pack that fits your essentials (camera, wallet, snacks etc.) that is comfortable and doesn’t give you a sore neck.

Plastic bags: Take some large plastic bags and small sandwich bags in your luggage, they come in so very handy for storing dirty shoes and clothes as well as bars of soap, wet swimwear or leaky bottles.

Tupperware: Tupperware (or similar) are good for toiletries and ensure no leaks will destroy clothes and makes it really easy to grab toiletries quickly, keeps them together and makes re-packing easier. Small containers are good for jewelry and electronic bits (adaptors, cords and chargers).

Laundry bag: Pack a laundry bag to keep track of what’s clean and what isn’t.

Air freshener: Put some in your luggage to keep everything smelling good.

Local currency: Take a small amount to cover the first few days and make sure you informed your own bank you are away so they don’t freeze your account.

Popular expat areas and some important contacts

Good areas in Phnom Penh for expats:

Riverside (Daun Penh)
Koh Pich / Diamond Island
Chamkarmon – BKK1 / BKK2 / BKK3 / Toul Tom Pom (Russian Market)
Olympic Stadium / 7 Makara (Orussey Market area)

Websites for important contacts (Doctors, Dentists, Police, Supermarkets, Night spots):

Last advice:

If you end up living in Phnom Penh, we suggest you get out as much as you can. The city can suck you in and time passes quickly with cheap and available beer. The provinces and their people are amazing and will give you wonderful memories to carry with you the rest of your life.

Home

What do I really need to know about Phnom Penh?

FAQ preamble

For what it is worth, here are some advisory words to assist the less-worldly visitors of this remarkable place.

For the seasoned, take it or leave it. In my experience, there are nine sides of the Phnom Penh dice and they share equal weight in the grand scheme of things.

Too often there are casualties that have ignored them, taken them too lightly or placed too much importance on one of them.

Of course, you needn’t, but we suggest you take note.

One day you may be thankful.

Decisions: make them quickly or you will miss out, but not immediately as the first may be wrong.
Beauty: just like mama said, its deeper than skin and it takes time to appreciate true beauty.
Cost of living: yeah, you can live cheaply like a local, otherwise not. It’s up to you – just be aware.
Don’t be distracted: like a magpie attracted to shiny objects, Phnom Penh is full of distractions. If you’re not careful, you will let them steal your money, your camera, your dignity, knock you of your bike or stick Rohypnol in your drink. Be vigilant and look after your friends too.
Health: easy to forget, but this is the most important. The cheap beer and unregulated pharmacies seem like a gift from heaven. Don’t be fooled.
Exercise and rest: time works in strange ways here, so learn to regulate yourself. It won’t be easy at first, but your body, your friends, your family and work mates will appreciate it.
Enjoy every smile – old and young: They’re mostly genuine. Don’t abuse them.
Traffic: it is getting bad, there are more Tonka trucks driven by young guns on their phones. They may be relatively slow and innocuous during the day, but by night they are lethal weapons. Be mindful that most drivers after 10pm will be drunk or on some mind-altering substance. I’m not saying don’t go out… just be aware. Definitely avoid rural roads at night.
Above all, be calm: No matter the circumstance, Khmers will more likely support Khmers. Being calm and reasonable may extricate yourself from a difficult circumstance gracefully.

The Riverine city

Sitting at the confluence of the Tonle Sap, Bassac and Mekong Rivers, Phnom Penh has been Cambodia’s capital since the 1860s. Dubbed the ‘Pearl of Asia’ in the 1920s, this historic town has evolved into a significant regional hub for foreign investment, construction and tourism.

Phnom Penh is one of the fastest growing cities in SE Asia and, with an average GDP growth rate of 7%, a seemingly ongoing economic boom has put Phnom Penh amongst the world’s top cities. Despite an historic disconnect between the rich and poor, the rising middle classes are now pushing demand for products and services on an unprecedented scale. The emergence of shopping malls, coffee shops, fashion outlets, restaurants, bars and other retail outlets are collectively shaping the new metropolis.

A potted history

Siem Reap was the original capital and centre of the Khmer Empire however, in the 14^th century, the then king (Pohea Yat) founded the capital. Legend has it that a local lady ‘Srey Daun Penh’ found four relics of Buddha in a log floating on the Mekong. She claimed this a profound discovery and decided that this become the new capital, placing them hill-shrine, now known as Wat Phnom.

Once a French colonial urban centre, Phnom Penh is known as one of the most delightful Asian cities. Its wide tree-lined avenues, pretty gardens and exquisite stately homes gave her that ‘Pearl of Asia’ status. Over the ensuing 40 years, the city experienced rapid growth under King Sihanouk with the construction of the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville railway, Central Market, Chaktomuk Hall, Independence Monument, the Royal University and others.

Then between 1975-1979 the Khmer Rouge army took control of Phnom Penh, ordering its two million inhabitants to evacuate. The city was left a ghost town until January 7 1979 (Prampi Makara) when Vietnamese troops entered Phnom Penh, driving Pol Pot to the Thai border. This occupation lasted 10 years, during which the Khmer people continued to experience exploitation and famine under Vietnamese control. During this ugly period, land titles across the nation were either destroyed or lost and returning inhabitants staked claim to empty properties. It wasn’t until the late 1990s that the land title system was reinstated. Even today there are still examples of disputed property ownership.

In 1993, Norodom Sihanouk was restored as King after returning from exile only to find that all power was with the government established by the UNTAC sponsored elections. Samdech Hun Sen became prime minister, the position of which he still holds today. The now-stable, post UNTAC period created new opportunities for foreign investment and aid, including many investor-friendly laws. To provide security and economic stability, the Khmer Riel was pegged to the US dollar. Although still in place, there has been a policy shift to encourage the use of the Riel with a view complete control over national monetary policy.

Economy and main industries

The largest industry in Phnom Penh is the textile, clothing and footwear (TCF) and most companies are small and medium enterprises (SMEs). These are found in the outskirts of Phnom Penh and Kandal province where you will find large tracts of land full of garment factories. This low-skill sector, alongside agriculture, has been Cambodia’s primary industry since the war. In 2015, the TCF industry contributed 26% to Cambodia’s GDP (and 80% of the country’s total exports), Agriculture 29% and service sector 39%. Cars, textiles and energy products make up the country’s major imports. With Europe being Cambodia’s largest TCF export destination via preferential access to the EU market through the ‘Everything But Arms’ (EBA) trade scheme, Cambodia’s TCF industry has been largely protected. There is some fear that this may change and, if it does, it will have some effect on the economy in general and property in particular.

Nonetheless, the tourism industry is considered the most valuable to the sustained growth of the economy, with construction becoming a more recent significant contributor. Phnom Penh is becoming a major tourist destination alongside Siem Reap and Sihanoukville with an abundance of shopping centres, entertainment venues, retail outlets and other attractions opening. Consequently, this has rapidly increased real estate prices across Phnom Penh.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is a significant factor influencing economic growth, due to the availability of low-priced labour, rapid urbanisation, growing middle-class, relatively open policies for foreign businesses, English as the main business language, attractive tax incentives / duty exemptions, improved infrastructure and logistic networks, alongside the stabilising effect of the US dollar.

Regionally, Phnom Penh is well located: it is surrounded by robust economies that are increasingly outsourcing operations to the Kingdom. Cambodians have an unusually high mobile phone penetration, with around 35% of the population active internet users, so is well positioned in the blossoming digital era.

However, as a result of this development, there is a city-wide problem with congestion and a lack of parking. The city Master Plan 2035 was commissioned as a means to address these issues, especially since the city has had no real urban planning in place since Vann Molyvann.

Commercial property trends

Before 2010, villas were the preferred building type for office space but modern businesses are looking for more suitable, bespoke properties. The demand for quality office space in the city is growing and a variety of projects have either been completed or are due to be completed in the coming years. More recently, there has been an interest in mixed-use and co-working spaces. The growth commercial market will likely continue, partly due to Cambodia’s membership of the AEC and its emerging business class.

Retail Property trends

The retail property market is altering the face of the city and many international brands are making their mark on Cambodia. Some new brands specifically target the aspirational middle class, while others focus on the high-end retail market. Local retailers continue to expand their operations on the ground.

Given personal incomes across the city are still relatively low, there remains huge potential for the retail market as they rise. The retail market has already shown signs of growth which is driving rental prices higher and redefining retail zoning in light of CBD city congestion, lack of parking and affordable housing options.

Not surprisingly, inner city corner blocks are popular for retail and food and beverage outlets given they benefit from having more available parking space. Parking is vexing issue in high density areas as more vehicles are registered and more people live and/or work in central urban areas. Companies are increasingly seeking corner properties in areas outside the CBD, such as Chbar Ampov, Chroy Changvar and Russey Keo as this is where the middle-class Khmers are heading.

Similar retail development is happening in other areas like Sen Sok and Phnom Penh Thmey, also because of traffic congestion and the arrival of quality shopping centers and malls. Aeon Mall, Cambodia’s first international shopping mall, opened in 2014 and its sister Aeon 2 opened its doors in 2018 which provide fertile ground for international franchisers. It is now clear to these companies that opportunities exist in Phnom Penh. Parkson Mall, Lion City and TK Avenue are all offering great retail investment opportunities.

The city’s condo market has provided early investors with 30% appreciation from off-the-plan purchases. High-end condominium developments are continuing to be released to the market as previously they were dominated by foreign investors, now the Khmer middle-high income earners are investing. This has stimulated local developers to offer low-range condo development projects (predominantly $30,000 – $60,000 per unit). Domestic demand is a key element of a successful project for any developer given that foreign ownership of individual buildings cannot exceed 70%. Other emerging trends are the provision of mixed-use developments (with residential, office and retail spaces) and housing for low-middle income earners. Both offer sizeable investment opportunities in catering for these large demographic groups.

Infrastructure

To cope with the city’s expansion and rapid growth in vehicles, more infrastructure projects are expected to be completed in Phnom Penh before 2020. Since 2000, construction projects completed in the Kingdom have a total value of more than $44 billion.

An expressway linking Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville, with an estimated cost of $1.9 billion is currently underway. Thousands of kilometres of roads are also being paved for the first time. The rail line connecting Phnom with Poipet and the capital with Sihanoukville are now complete and there are discussions underway to expand rail services across the Kingdom. The port at Sihanoukville has been upgraded and the ports of Koh Kong, Kampot, Phnom Penh and Kampong Cham are looking at upgrades too.

Phnom Penh International Airport is the main airport in the kingdom, located 7km west of the city. Cambodia has a few local airline companies and a growing selection of international carriers and destinations. New direct flight international and regional routes are announced regularly.

Siem Reap is looking forward to a second international airport located in Sotr Nikom (50km from the city) and Phnom Penh will have its second built in the coming years. The Sihanoukville facility has also been upgraded to manage the expected influx of passenger traffic.

Internet use grown enormously since 2000. In 2015, 25% of the population were estimated to have internet access compared to the then global internet penetration rate of 42 percent. By 2018, this was 50%, comparing nicely with the global estimate of 53%. The government expects this to rise to 870% by 2020. Similarly, the Kingdom had 19.4 million SIM card users in 2018 (4.5% increase on 2017). This represents 120% of Cambodia’s total population. At the end of 2018, 6.4 million people (30% of users) had 2G SIM cards, 4.6 million (24%) had 3G and 8.2 million (43%) had 4G.

Phnom Penh, consumes 90% of the country’s electricity and infrastructure expansion to rural areas is being constructed to even up the supply. In 2013, 22.5% of households had access to electricity. By 2017 68% of homes had some form of electricity. In 2014, the Prime Minister announced a commitment to ensure “Cambodian villages would have electricity by 2020, while 70% of households would have power by 2030″. Large projects expanding the distribution network are underway to meet these targets.

Phnom Penh’s water supply improved significantly between 1993 and 2006. In 2017 the Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPSWA) signed a construction deal with Vinci Constructions to update and expand the Chamkarmon Water Treatment Plant, boosting its capacity from 20,000m³/day to 52,000. In 2019 PPSWA opened bidding for a US$350 million water treatment plant, to provide up to 400,000m³/day of clean water daily to 50,000 households.

Taxis, minivans and buses are available to reach most destinations throughout the kingdom and beyond to Thailand and Vietnam. Phnom Penh also has a rail service. Motor-taxis (moto-dops) and tuk tuks are readily available. Phnom Penh also has a bus transit network and three bus lines now operate in the capital. Boats: River ferries between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are offered daily, departing at 7am daily from Sisowath Quay (approximately 4-6 hours travel time).

Weather, climate and geography

Because Phnom Penh is where the Tonlé Sap, Mekong, and Bassac rivers meet, monsoonal flooding is a seasonable problem often causing them to break their banks. The cool season is between November and March (22-28 degrees); hot season March and May (28 – 38 degrees) and the wet season May and October (24 – 38 degrees with <90% humidity). Monsoons generally blow from the Southwest, bringing winds from the Gulf of Thailand and Indian Ocean between May to October. The most rainfall is experienced in September and October and the dry season lasts from November to March.

Population and demographics

Phnom Penh city covers approximately 678m² with a government status equal to that of any other Cambodian province. It is divided into 12 administrative divisions (‘Khans’) which sit under the governance of the Phnom Penh Municipality. These Khans are subdivided into 76 communes (‘Sangkats’) and, within those, approximately 640 villages (‘Kroms’). The city is home to around 2.5 million people and Khmers make up the majority of ethnic groups (approximately 90%). The next three ethnic groups are Vietnamese, Chinese Cambodian (Khmer Chen) and Cham (Muslim). The largest majority of Cambodia’s 80,000+ expat population reside in the capital city, making it the nation’s cosmopolitan hub.

Shopping and eating

Starting with Aeon Mall, Phnom Penh has seen a flood of shopping complexes, hotels, township and condo projects emerge across the city as the nation rides a flood of financial development; a trend expected to continue for some time. The city has a wide selection of cuisines available with a mix of tastes imported by the historic influences of Khmers, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, French, Thais, Russians and others.

Nightlife

Phnom Penh has a variety of nightlife options, with countless bars and clubs dotted all over the city. The ‘Riverside’ area along Sisowath Quay has a plethora of bars and restaurants, catering mainly to tourists and the soon-to-be-completed Hyatt Hotel is likely to improve tourist venues around Street 172.

Up the side streets of 172, 136, 130, 110 and 104 are the hostess bars and there are some good live music venues and intimate hangouts. Street 51 and Sorya Mall are other nightspots open very late. The two most famous night clubs Heart of Darkness and Pontoon keep this area pumping until 7am. The Boeung Keng Kang 1 (BKK1) area is home to good venues, especially in Streets 278 and 51, Bassac Lane and Street 308. These are dominated by expat patrons, but tend to be more expensive than other areas.

Education

Phnom Penh offers the wide range of institutes and the selection is growing every year. Many of these ‘international’ schools are internationally-accredited, so students can move between schools in and out of Cambodia. However, be wary that not all ‘international schools’ are created equally, nor are they necessarily accredited. Best to check.

Medical

Phnom Penh has a number of international standard hospitals and clinics, including the government-managed hospital Calmette and Thai-affiliated Royal Phnom Penh Hospital. Other options include the International SOS clinic offering English-speaking primary care and evacuation services, Krema Clinic and Naga Clinic that provide a range of care with multilingual doctors. There is a wide range of clinics offering full and reasonably-priced dental services.

Condos, serviced apartments and flat-houses

The latest breed of luxury skyrise condominiums have been tailored to meet the demand of international investors as they can buy condos, apartments and offices as long as they are in a co-owned building and above the first floor. Budget options are increasingly available and are proving popular with local investors as live-in properties and rental earners. Catering to the high-end expat market, Phnom Penh has a number of fully-furnished serviced apartments available for long or short stays. Highly popular with locals, flat houses are the most popular kind of home in central Phnom Penh. They are affordable, able to be used for multiple purposes, and usually include the land ownership in the title.

Villas and boreys

Phnom Penh offers many opulent villas located throughout the city, however many of these are being demolished to make way for large condo developments. As an alternative, many borey developments have been created to cater to Khmer buyers. Borey homes are located in gated communities and can be villas, flat houses or link houses. All infrastructure is supplied by the developer, and buyers can purchase with individual hard titles over a land plot. Normally, boreys offer facilities for all buyers to use and are seeing huge demand from local buyers in Phnom Penh.

Industrial, warehouse and commercial property

New developments are bringing increasing options for serviced and non-serviced office space throughout Phnom Penh. There are still good opportunities for real estate developments in the middle-end office market. There are many commercial opportunities in the capital to invest in established businesses such as bars, restaurants and guesthouses, as well as land for commercial development, petrol stations, and school premises. A wide range of new developments and off-plan homes are providing opportunities for local and international investors.

Land

Rising land prices have instilled confidence in the economy and encouraged foreign investors to invest. Phnom Penh has many Special Economic Zones (SEZs) well suited to industrial ventures with attractive conditions for businesses. Phnom Penh’s largest and most-established SEZ is the Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone (PPSEZ) which recently announced plans to join the national stock exchange.

Government authorities

Phnom Penh is overseen by the Governor and every district also has its own Chief. Investment projects <US$2 million is assessed by the Royal Government and given to the Phnom Penh Investment Sub-Commission to decide if it qualifies as an investment project. The Department of Taxation provides up to date information on tax regulations and the Ministry of Commerce provides information on business registration. Both have good, informative websites.

#cambodia #architecture #cambodia #heritage #colonialarchitecture #french #indochine #phnompenh #colonial #phnompenhheritage #riverinecity #economy #mainindustries #commercialpropertytrends #retailpropertytrends #infrastructure #weatherclimateandgeography #populationanddemographics #shopping #landmarks #eating #nightlife #educationalinstitutions #medical #flights #roads #condosandservicedapartments #flathouses #villasandboreys #industrial #warehouse #commercial #land #governmentauthorities

Home

What is Phnom Penh known for and is it safe?

FAQ preamble

For what it is worth, here are some advisory words to assist the less-worldly visitors of this remarkable place. For the seasoned, take it or leave it. In our experience, there are nine sides of the Phnom Penh dice and they have about equal weight in the grand scheme of things. Too often we see casualties that have ignored them, taken them too lightly, or placed too much importance on one of them. Of course, you needn’t, but we suggest you take note. One day you may be thankful:

Decisions: make them quickly or you will miss out, but not immediately as the first may be wrong.
Beauty: just like Mama said, it’s deeper than skin and it takes time to appreciate true beauty.
Cost of living: yeah, you can live cheaply like a local, otherwise not. It’s up to you – just be aware.
Don’t be distracted: like a magpie attracted to shiny objects, Phnom Penh is full of distractions. If you’re not careful, you will let them steal your money, your camera, and your dignity, knock you off your bike or stick Rohypnol in your drink. Be vigilant and look after your friends too.
Health: easy to forget, but this is the most important. The cheap beer and unregulated pharmacies seem like a gift from heaven. Don’t be fooled.
Exercise and rest: time works in strange ways here, so learn to regulate yourself. It won’t be easy at first, but your body, your friends, your family, and your workmates will appreciate it.
Enjoy every smile – old and young: They’re mostly genuine. Don’t abuse them.
Traffic: it is getting worse, there are more Tonka trucks driven by young guns on their phones. They may be relatively slow and innocuous during the day, but by night they are lethal weapons. Be mindful that most drivers after 10 pm will be drunk or on some mind-altering substance. I’m not saying don’t go out… just be aware. Avoid rural roads at night.
Above all, be calm: No matter the circumstance, Khmers will more likely support Khmers. Being calm and reasonable may extricate yourself from a difficult circumstance gracefully.

PHNOM PENH: THE RIVERINE CITY

Sitting at the confluence of the Tonle Sap, Bassac, and Mekong Rivers, Phnom Penh has been Cambodia’s capital since the 1860s. Dubbed the ‘Pearl of Asia’ in the 1920s, this historic town has evolved into a significant regional hub for foreign investment, construction, and tourism. Phnom Penh is one of the fastest-growing cities in SE Asia and, with an average GDP growth rate of 7%, a seemingly ongoing economic boom has put Phnom Penh among the world’s top cities. Despite an historic disconnect between the rich and poor, the rising middle classes are now pushing demand for products and services on an unprecedented scale. The emergence of shopping malls, coffee shops, fashion outlets, restaurants, bars, and other retail outlets are collectively shaping the new metropolis.

A POTTED HISTORY

Siem Reap (Angkor) was the original capital and the center of the Khmer empire, however in the 14^th century the then king, Pohea Yat, founded the capital. Legend has it that a local lady ‘Srey Daun Penh’ found four relics of Buddha in a tree floating on the Mekong. She claimed this as a profound discovery and decided that this become the new capital, placing the hill shrine, now known as Wat Phnom.

Once a French colonial urban center, Phnom Penh is known as one of the most delightful Asian cities. Its wide tree-lined avenues, pretty gardens, and exquisite stately homes gave her that ‘Pearl of Asia’ status. Over the ensuing 40 years, the city experienced rapid growth under King Sihanouk with the construction of the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville railway, Central Market, Chaktomuk Hall, Independence Monument, the Royal University, and others.

Then between 1975-1979, the Khmer Rouge army took control of Phnom Penh, ordering its two million inhabitants to evacuate. The city was left a ghost town until January 7, 1979 (Prampi Makara) when Vietnamese troops entered Phnom Penh, driving Pol Pot to the Thai border. This occupation lasted 10 years, during which the Khmer people continued to experience exploitation and famine under Vietnamese control. During this ugly period, land titles across the nation were either destroyed or lost, and returning inhabitants staked claim to empty properties. It wasn’t until the late 1990s that the land title system was reinstated. Even today there are still examples of disputed property ownership.

In 1993, Norodom Sihanouk was restored as King after returning from exile only to find that all power was with the government established by the UNTAC-sponsored elections. Samdech Hun Sen became prime minister, the position which he still holds today. The now-stable, post-UNTAC period created new opportunities for foreign investment and aid, including many investor-friendly laws. To provide security and economic stability, the Khmer Riel was pegged to the US dollar. Although still in place, there has been a policy shift to encourage the use of the Riel with a view of complete control over national monetary policy.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRY

The largest industry in Phnom Penh is textile, clothing, and footwear (TCF) and most companies are small and medium enterprises (SMEs). These are found in the outskirts of Phnom Penh and Kandal province where you will find large tracts of land full of garment factories. This low-skill sector, with agriculture, has been Cambodia’s primary industry since the war. In 2015, the TCF industry contributed 26% to Cambodia’s GDP (and 80% of the country’s total exports), Agriculture 29%, and service sector 39%. Cars, textiles, and energy products make up the country’s major imports.

The tourism industry is considered the most valuable to the sustained growth of the economy, although construction has become a more recent significant contributor. With an abundance of shopping centers, entertainment venues, retail outlets, and other attractions opening, Phnom Penh is becoming a major tourist destination alongside Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. Consequently, this has rapidly increased real estate prices across Phnom Penh.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is a significant factor influencing economic growth, due to the availability of low-priced labor, rapid urbanization, growing middle-class, relatively open policies for foreign businesses, English as the main business language, attractive tax incentives/duty exemptions, improved infrastructure and logistic networks, alongside the stabilizing effect of the US dollar.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

RETAIL PROPERTY

The retail property market is altering the face of the city and many international brands are making their mark on Cambodia. Some new brands are specifically targeting the aspirational middle class, while others focus on the high-end retail market. Local retailers continue to expand their operations on the ground.

Given personal incomes across the city are still relatively low, there remains huge potential for the retail market they rise. The retail market has already shown signs of growth which is driving rental prices higher and redefining retail zoning in light of CBD city congestion, lack of parking, and affordable housing options.

Not surprisingly, inner city corner blocks are popular for retail and food and beverage outlets given they benefit from having more available parking space.

Parking is a vexing issue in high-density areas as more vehicles are registered and more people live and/or work in central urban areas. Companies are increasingly seeking corner properties in areas outside the CBD, such as Chbar Ampov, Chroy Changvar, and Russey Keo as this is where the middle-class Khmers are heading.

Similar retail development is happening in other areas like Sen Sok and Phnom Penh Thmey, also because of traffic congestion and the arrival of quality shopping centers and malls. Aeon Mall, Cambodia’s first international shopping mall, opened in 2014 and its sister Aeon 2 opened its doors in 2018 which provides fertile ground for international franchisers. It is now clear to these companies that opportunities exist in Phnom Penh. Parkson Mall, Lion City, and TK Avenue are all offering great retail investment opportunities.

The city’s condo market has provided early investors with 30% appreciation from off-the-plan purchases. High-end condominium developments are continuing to be released to the market as previously they were dominated by foreign investors, now the Khmer middle-high income earners are investing. This has stimulated local developers to offer low-range condo development projects (predominantly $30,000 – $60,000 per unit). Domestic demand is a key element of a successful project for any developer given that foreign ownership of individual buildings cannot exceed 70%. Other emerging trends are the provision of mixed-use developments (with residential, office, and retail spaces) and housing for low-middle-income earners. Both offer sizeable investment opportunities in catering to these large demographic groups.

INFRASTRUCTURE

An expressway linking Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville, with an estimated cost of $1.9 billion is currently underway. Thousands of kilometers of roads are also being paved for the first time.

The rail line connecting Phnom with Poipet and the capital with Sihanoukville are now complete and there are discussions underway to expand rail services across the Kingdom.

The port at Sihanoukville has been upgraded and the ports of Koh Kong, Kampot, Phnom Penh, and Kampong Cham are looking at upgrades too.

Internet use has grown enormously since 2000. In 2015, 25% of the population was estimated to have internet access compared to the then-global internet penetration rate of 42 percent. By 2018, this was 50%, compared nicely with the global estimate of 53%. The government expects this to rise to 870% by 2020.

Similarly, the Kingdom had 19.4 million SIM card users in 2018 (an increase of 4.5% in 2017). This represents 120% of Cambodia’s total population. At the end of 2018, 6.4 million people (30% of users) had 2G SIM cards, 4.6 million (24%) had 3G, and 8.2 million (43%) had 4G.

Phnom Penh consumes 90% of the country’s electricity, and the expansion of power distribution lines to rural areas is also now being constructed to even up the supply. In 2013, 22.5% of households had access to electricity. By 2017 68% of homes had some form of electricity.

In 2014, the Prime Minister announced a commitment to ensure “[All] Cambodian villages would have electricity by 2020, while 70% of households would have power by 2030″.51 Large projects expanding the distribution network are underway to meet the NSDP targets of adding more than 12,800 km of transmission lines to the network by 2018.

Water supply: The Phnom Penh water supply has improved significantly between 1993 and 2006. In 2017 the Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPSWA) signed a construction deal with Vinci Constructions to update and expand the Chamkarmon Water Treatment Plant, boosting its capacity from 20,000 cubic meters per day to 52,000. In 2019 PPSWA opened bidding for a US$350 million water treatment plant, which will provide up to 400,000 cubic meters of clean water daily to 50,000 households.

WEATHER, CLIMATE, AND GEOGRAPHY

Phnom Penh lies south of the country where the waterways of the Tonlé Sap, Mekong, and Bassac rivers meet. Monsoonal flooding is a seasonable problem where the rivers sometimes break their banks. The cool seasons are between November and March (22-28 degrees); the hot season is between March and May (28 – 38 degrees) and the wet season is between May and October (24 – 38 degrees with humidity up to 90%).

Monsoons generally blow from the Southwest, bringing winds from the Gulf of Thailand and the Indian Ocean between May to October. The dry season lasts from November through to March. In short, the city of Phnom Penh experiences the most rainfall in September and October, with its months in January and February.

DEMOGRAPHICS

Phnom Penh City covers approximately 678 sqm with a government status equal to that of any other Cambodian province. It is divided into 12 administrative divisions ‘Khans’ which fall under the governance of the Phnom Penh Municipality. These Khans are subdivided into 76 Sangkats (communes) and, on the last count, Phnom Penh had 637 Kroms (villages) within communes. Phnom Penh City is home to around 2.5 million people and Khmers make up the majority of ethnic groups (approximately 90%). The next three ethnic groups are Vietnamese, Chinese Cambodian (Khmer Chen), and Cham (Muslim). The largest majority of Cambodia’s 80,000+ ex-pat population reside in the capital city, making it the nation’s cosmopolitan hub.

SHOPPING & EATING

Starting with Aeon Mall, Phnom Penh has seen a flood of new shopping complexes, hotels, townships, and condo projects springing up across the city as Cambodia rides a flood of high financial development rates in recent years. The Phnom Penh market will see plenty of new options for shopaholics shortly.

Phnom Penh has a wide selection of cuisines available and a mix of tastes has been imported by the historic influences of the Khmers, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, French, Thais, Russians, and others.

LANDMARKS

The oldest structure in the city is Wat Phnom, constructed in 1373, and has existed in Phnom Penh since its original founding. Other main tourist attractions are the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum. The Independence Monument, built in the 1950s, is constructed in the Khmer style. But many travelers delve into the Khmer Rouge history, with visits to the S21 Prison/Toul Sleng and the Killing Fields.

NIGHTLIFE

Phnom Penh has a variety of nightlife options. Bars and clubs are dotted all over the city. The riverfront/riverside area along Sisowath Quay has numerous bars and restaurants, many with great views of the river. The riverside is more catered to tourists, but expect to see a range of bars and upmarket lounges from Wat Phnom to the Royal Palace. Up the side streets of 172, 136, 130, 110, and 104 are the hostess bars and there are some good live music venues and intimate hangouts. Street 51 and Sorya Mall is another nightspot, open very late. The two most famous nightclubs Heart of Darkness and Pontoon keep the area full of punters till 7 am. The Boeung Keng Kang 1 (BKK1) area is home to some good venues, especially on Streets 278/51, Bassac Lane, and Street 308. These are dominated by ex-pat patrons and tend to be more expensive than other areas.

EDUCATION

Phnom Penh offers a wide range of institutes and the selection is growing every year. Many of these ‘international’ schools are internationally accredited, so students can move between schools inside and outside of Cambodia. However, be wary that not all ‘international schools’ are created equally, nor are they necessarily accredited. Best to check.

MEDICAL

Phnom Penh has several international standard hospitals and clinics, including the government-managed hospital Calmette and the Thai-affiliated Royal Phnom Penh Hospital. Other options include the International SOS clinic offering English-speaking primary care and evacuation services, Krema Clinic, and Naga Clinic which provide a range of medical care with multilingual doctors. There is also a wide range of clinics offering full and reasonably-priced dental services.

TRANSPORT

Phnom Penh International Airport is the main airport in the kingdom, located approximately 7km west of the city. Cambodia has a few local airline companies and a growing selection of international carriers and destinations. New direct flight is international and regional routes are announced regularly.

Taxis, minivans, and buses are available to reach most destinations throughout the kingdom and beyond to Thailand and Vietnam. Phnom Penh also has a rail service. Motor taxis (moto-dops) and tuk-tuks are readily available. Phnom Penh also has a bus transit network and three bus lines now operate in the capital. Boats: River ferries between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are offered daily, departing at 7 am daily from the Phnom Penh Port on Sisowath Quay (approximately 4-6 hours travel time).

CONDOS & SERVICED APARTMENTS

The latest breed of luxury sky-rise condominiums is tailored to the demand of international investors, who can buy condos, apartments, and offices in Cambodia – as long as they are in a co-owned building and above the first floor. Budget options are increasingly available and are proving popular with local investors as live-in properties and rental earners. Catering to the high-end ex-pat market, Phnom Penh has several serviced apartments. They are fully furnished, come with a range of services, and are available for long or short stays.

FLAT HOUSES, VILLAS & BOREYS

Highly popular with locals, flat houses are the most popular kind of home in central Phnom Penh. They are affordable, able to be used for multiple purposes, and usually include land ownership in the title.

Phnom Penh offers opulent French-inspired villas located throughout the city and many borey developments cater to this highly popular market for Khmer buyers. Borey homes are homes in a township, a gated community. They can be villas, flat houses, or link houses. All infrastructure is supplied by the developer, and each buyer can buy a property within the borey with individual hard titles over that land plot. Normally, boys also offer community facilities for all buyers to use. Boreys are seeing huge demand from local buyers in Phnom Penh.

INDUSTRIAL / COMMERCIAL:

New developments are bringing increasing options for serviced and non-serviced office space throughout Phnom Penh. There are still good opportunities for real estate developments in the middle-end office market. There are many commercial opportunities in the capital to invest in established businesses such as bars, restaurants, and guesthouses, as well as land for commercial development, petrol stations, and school premises. New developments and off-plan homes are plentiful, allowing opportunities for local and international investors.

LAND:

Rising land prices have instilled confidence in the economy and encouraged foreign investors to invest which have yet to have detrimental effects on intra-city trade. Phnom Penh has many Special Economic Zones (SEZs) which are well suited to industrial ventures with attractive conditions for businesses. Phnom Penh’s largest and most-established SEZ is the Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone (PPSEZ) which recently announced plans to join the national stock exchange.

GOVERNMENT

Phnom Penh is overseen by the Governor and every district also has its own head Chief. Investment projects with capital less than US $2 million are assessed by the Royal Government and then given to the Phnom Penh Investment Sub-Commission to decide if it qualifies as an investment project. The Sub-Commission has its Secretariat office located in the capital. The General Department of Taxation provides up-to-date information on tax regulations and the official website is well laid out. Business registration is available online and you can check the Ministry of Commerce website for more details.

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FAQ - How do I check Cambodian phone numbers by prefix?

Why?

Because, if you don’t, you could end up with a large phone bill.

When possible, call the same service as your own… you may have to get another SIM card to enable this.

Usually Cellcard and Smart are all you’ll need.

Cellcard: https://www.cellcard.com.kh/en/
011, 012, 014, 017, 061, 076, 077, 078, 085, 089, 092, 095, 099
➢ Check number: press 1# and or press 2# and or press *3# and
➢ Check balance: #124# and .

Smart: https://www.smart.com.kh/
010, 015, 016, 069, 070, 081, 086, 087, 093, 096, 098.
➢ Check number: press 2# and or press *887# and or press *400# and
➢ Check balance: *888# and

Metfone: https://metfone.com.kh/en
088, 097, 071, 031, 060, 066, 067, 068, 088, 090, 097
➢ Check number: press 88# and or press 99# and *097# and

QB: https://www.qbmore.com/index.php/en/
013, 080, 083, 084
➢ Check number: press #3# and or press *132# and or #132# and

SEATEL: https://www.yes.com.kh/
018
➢ Check number by sending SMS 106 send to 1800
➢ Check the balance by sending SMS 101 send to 1800.

Cootel: https://cootel.com.kh/?lang=en
038
➢ Check number by Go to your phone Menu -> Accounts -> Subscriber No. -> OK
➢ Check balance by Go to Menu -> Coo Bill -> Balance

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FAQ - How can I prepare my home for the rainy season?

Even with the hot sun beating down and dust swirling, it is a good time to prepare for the monsoon season. Heavy rain, lightning, electrical and dust storms generally starting in May and stretch to November. During this period, the heaviest rains generally occur during September and October.

Monsoon is categorised as a change in the weather pattern, where dry winds shift to the southwest, bringing moisture from the Gulf of Thailand. Cambodia can be also hit by typhoons from the western Pacific, but they are quite rare and are generally weak as most of their energy is lost over the Southern Vietnamese coast. They can bring heavy rains and flooding and occur mid-October to mid-November, peaking early November.

Check for leaks and cracks

The best way to prepare your home for the rains is to have a roofing contractor to inspect your home for any leaks, broken, missing or loose roof or wall elements. The contractor will check for gaps or cracks around flashings and if any sealants have deteriorated. They will look for any defects that make the roof vulnerable to strong rains and winds and ensure your roof is a strong barrier during these coming storms.

Check and install gutters

Homeowners need to ensure gutters and drains are clear and that no debris, leaves, plastic bags or other objects are blocking drainage from the roof and away from the home. Broken gutters should be repaired and if there are no gutters, install some so that draining water doesn’t affect the building structure or collect on the roof possibly causing more damage and leaking.

Check and clean debris in the yard, terrace or balcony

Strong monsoon winds can easily pick up seemingly harmless objects and create serious damage. Homeowners should inspect their property for debris that can easily be picked up in a storm. Do this regularly to help lower the potential risk of damage to your home.

Prune branches and trees

Landscaping around your home or balcony can cause damage during heavy rain and strong winds. As such, it is important to prune and thin shrubs and trees and ensure large tree branches are trimmed. Weak tree limbs can potentially break and hit your home or vehicle.

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FAQ - Cambodian property taxes - what do buyers and renters need to know?

Being a property owner, seller or buyer in Cambodia you will need some reasonable knowledge to help you understand your obligations and respond accordingly. For those who sell or lease real estate and other properties, it is important to know the property tax basics in order to make informed decisions. The same applies to buyers or investors, who should have a working knowledge of laws and regulations governing property transfer, sale, lease, etc., to make sound decisions.

Below are important information on the property taxes applicable in Cambodia, thanks to Realestate.com.kh

What is Property Tax?

This tax is paid annually for immovable properties (land, apartment, etc.) and needs to be filed and paid by September 30th. The first step is to register at the tax branch where the property is located and complete the PT01 and PT02 forms. PT01 provides information about the property. PT02 is the tax application form. When registering, take original documentation attesting to your identification property ownership (e.g. birth certificate, passport, certificate of ownership). Property Tax is 0.1% of the property value, determined by the Immovable Property Assessment Committee. Calculation is based on several factors including location, materials and government data. Owners pay this tax if the value of property is >$25,000 US and is now strictly enforced. Agricultural land, state land, and industrial locations are exempted.

Things you need to know about the Transfer Tax

Buyers are responsible for paying this tax which is also known as stamp duty. It is payable on completion of a sales transaction. This tax is calculated as 4% of the property value. The actual tax levied is usually computed through government valuation or the transaction price. In practice, the latter valuation method is not often applied as this is a negotiated price between buyer and seller.

Where does the Withholding Tax apply?

This tax applies to property rentals. Businesses, for example, renting office space, must pay 10% Withholding Tax on the rent. The landlord is responsible for withholding this and the lessee acts as the withholding agent and pays the obligation on his tax return. When buying condos, you must pay 10% VAT, except for the land where the property stands. The same applies if the lessor is a registered taxpayer. If the lessee is a registered taxpayer, a 10% Withholding Tax is deducted.

Who Pays Rental Tax/Income Tax?

Locals and foreigners who own and rent out properties must pay Rental / Income Tax annually. A foreign investor who buys property and rents it out pays 14% of the gross rate. For locals, the rate is 10%. If you want more reliable information regarding taxation, we recommend you obtain independent legal or professional advice to ensure certainty and clarity.

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FAQ - Can foreigners buy property in Cambodia?

To stimulate the economy and encourage investment, the government created laws that allow foreigners to legally buy property in Cambodia.

The main conditions are that:

➢ Foreigners cannot own ground floor properties, sub-soil or common areas.
➢ Foreign ownership of private units must be <70% of the entire block.
➢ This does not apply to properties <30km of national borders, Special Economic Zones or important urban areas.

There are essentially five options for buying properties in Cambodia:

Option 1: Forming a company to invest in property which must have >50% Cambodian ownership.

Option 2: Getting honorary Cambodian citizenship. A foreigner can obtain Cambodian citizenship if s/he donates ‘significantly’ to benefit Cambodian people. Those granted citizenship can acquire right of ownership of property purchased in Cambodia.

Option 3: Buy and register property in a Cambodian’s name. To avoid this individual from selling the property without informing the owner, the foreigner is advised to hold the title deed.

Option 4: Foreigners can purchase property (Option 3) and enter into a long-term rental agreement with a Cambodian (<99 years).

Option 5: A foreigner married to a Cambodian can register a property using their spouse’s name.

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FAQ - How are land titles structured in Cambodia?

About land titles in Cambodia

Judging by questions from new entrants to the Cambodian property market, land titles are not well understood. There are many misconceptions about ownership and property title classifications in Cambodia. In essence, all you really need to know is that there are three ways to secure property in Cambodia:

Hard Title
Soft Title
Private ownership in co-owned buildings (or Strata Title).

Hard Titles

Having a hard title is the strongest form of property ownership in Cambodia, whereby ownership certificates are provided by the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction. A hard title contains detailed information recognised and certified at a national level with the Ministry of Land and cadastral office. A transfer tax of 4% applies on the property value when a hard title transfer occurs. Hard Titles are not available directly to foreigners.

Soft Titles

Having a soft title is the most common form of ownership, usually because they do not have the burden of transfer taxes and fees. A soft title is recognised at a local government level (i.e. not registered at a national level) but they do represent possessory status. Soft Titles are also generally not available for foreigners, however there are ways to purchase through alternative (indirect) legal avenues.

Strata Titles (or private ownership in co-owned buildings)

Strata Titles are the most recent form of ownership and allow foreigners to legally own property in Cambodia. They are less common than other types of titles, but this is changing and in fact most new condo projects offer this type of title. Co-owned buildings are defined as a building in which multiple owners reside such as a condo complex or office tower. They consist of some exclusively owned areas (private units) as well as commonly-used spaces (common areas).

Of note is the ‘Law on Foreign Ownership’ (May 2010) which limits foreign ownership of co-owned buildings and re-asserts that foreigners cannot own land as it is unconstitutional.

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FAQ - What is the land title transfer process in Cambodia?

Step One:

The buyer verifies the title certificate with the Land Office and checks for potential liens (debt) and/or other encumbrances. S/he must obtain a copy of the initial title certificate from the seller and verify that the seller is the rightful owner of the title certificate. This is also verified with the land office to ensure that there are no liens, mortgages, disputes or other encumbrances for that property.

Estimated time: 10 days (simultaneous to steps 2 and 3)

Official cost: (according to Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction Prakas 995 dated 28/12/2012) = KHR 50,000 / US$12.50

Step 2:

The Buyer must contact the relevant village chief or commune council official to obtain information on the land and undertake an official search of the title at the municipal land office.

Estimated time: 10 days (simultaneous to steps 1 and 3)

Official cost: Nil

Step 3:

Buyer obtain the certificate of incorporation of the seller’s company and other official documents from the seller (e.g. ID of the shareholder, or person acting on behalf of the company, a certified/notarized copy of the certificate as issued by the Ministry of Commerce). These are needed to verify the accuracy and identity of the company name appearing on the title certificate. A Power of Attorney is also needed, and a resolution signed by the company’s Board of Directors, authorizing the named individual to represent the company at the land office with a Power of Attorney implementing that Resolution.

Estimated time: 10 days (simultaneous to steps 1 and 2)

Official cost: KHR 80,000/US$20.00

Step 4:

Apply for registration at the District Land Office of the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning & Construction (MLMUPC).

When 2 persons/companies wish to buy/sell real property, they must first go together to the district office of the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning & Construction (MLMUPC) and arrange to prepare and sign documents. The documentation needed includes the company’s statute, its Certificate of Incorporation, and Power of Attorney (obtained in Step 3). At the same time, the original Title Certificate held by the seller must be presented to the Khan at the time of signing the deed, in order to have the name of the new owner officially inserted on the document.

Relevant Government Agency: District Land Office, MLMUPC (District Land Office of the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning & Construction)

Estimated time: 20 – 30 days

Official cost: A transfer fee of KHR 600,000 is paid to MLMUPC.

Step 5:

Pay 4% of the total value of the property to the Ministry of Economy and Finance at the Tax Collection Office, relevant to the location of the property. A receipt is issued to prove payment.

In Phnom Penh, this tax is assessed on a schedule of property value determined by the Municipality. This is usually based on size, location, use, potential use, etc. of the property. If the land is more than 1200sqm, the surplus of the land will also be subject to “unused land tax”.

Estimated time: 1 day (depending on location and size of property)

Official cost: 4% of property value (transfer fee)

Step 6:

After all taxes are paid, the parties may return to the cadastral office at the MLMUPC and sign/thumbprint a MLMUPC form for buying/selling real property, as filled in by MLMUPC official. The signing/thumb printing must be witnessed by a local authority such as commune chief, who will also thumbprint. The documentation provided should include payment receipts of transfer tax (obtained in Step 5).

Estimated time: 5 days

Official cost: Cadastral service fee paid in Step 4

Step 7:

The Khan/District land office forwards all the transfer documents to the Municipal Land Office where it issues the final Certificate of Title in the new owner’s name. It is now registered.

Estimated time: 1 to 2 weeks (depending on the diligence of officials and interested parties)

Source

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FAQ - How can foreigners legitimately purchase property in Cambodia?

The following is a framework to demonstrate how foreigners can legitimately purchase property in Cambodia.

Overview

Background – laws in Cambodia
Background – Abode Real Estate
Liability / Indemnity / Service Agreement
Shareholder Agreement
Costs (set up and ongoing)
Other services (construction / maintenance / AirBnB / property management)

Background – Cambodia law

Five options for foreigners to buy property in Cambodia:

Forming a Company in Cambodia with a Cambodian Citizen (>50% Cambodian shareholding)
Obtaining Cambodian citizenship via investment in Cambodia or by marriage
Buy property with a Cambodian citizen’s name and putting protective measures in place (such as hypothee or long term lease)
Long term rental
Purchase of strata-titled / condo property

The Cambodian government unveiled new ownership laws in co-owned buildings in 2010:

Foreigners cannot own ground floor properties
Total foreign ownership of private units must not exceed 70%
Does not apply to properties <30km of national borders (some exceptions e.g. SEZ)

Background – Abode Real Estate

Abode, established in November 2020 is a Khmer owned company focused on offering quality property sales, letting and management in Phnom Penh and beyond.

Free valuations (ensuring each property is marketed right first time, every time)
Basic legal advice and referral (to help clients work with challenging foreign ownership laws)
Property management, construction, maintenance and AirBnB
Advice and information to help newcomers explore Phnom Penh safely and meaningfully

We understand selling, renting and managing property is more than knowing a budget and scrolling a database. We know it’s an important decision and take pride in understanding our clients’ needs, explore all possible options and cross match the right property.

Service Agreement

A ‘Service Agreement’ would cover the holding of shares to enable property ownership / control:

Real Estate / Investment strategy services
Includes an upfront (non-refundable) payment
Built-in checking mechanism for payment of taxes and other legal obligations
Contract is automatically ceased if non-payment
Property is purchased under a company, shared with buyer
100% agreement of all shareholders is required to sell or modify the property

Shareholder Agreement

Company is established to enable shareholding structure (approx. cost $2,500)
Monthly tax-filing services
Land tax is a company liability (0.01%)
A mortgage could be established by a foreigner on the property (condos only)
The property would be owned 51% by the holding company / 49% by foreign owner
100% shareholder resolution is required to sell / modify property

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FAQ - Moving house? Here is the Abode Real Estate checklist!

Moving house? You might need a checklist!

Moving house can be a daunting task. Not only is it an emotional journey, but you’ll have reams of admin to do.

Here’s a list to help you tick off the boxes!

Change your address

Start doing this 30 day before the move. Sometimes a phone call will do, but often you may have to fax proof of the new address to certain institutions or go into the bank, your doctor, kid’s school or Sangkat to fill in forms, so giving yourself a head-start will help to shorten your to-do list.
In some cases you may have the option to receive statements and accounts by email – this not only cuts down on paper wastage, but ensures an easier change of address process.

Here’s some institutions you should notify, plus a few extra things to keep in mind.

Utilities and bills:

Water and electricity: Make sure you get and pay your last bill at the old residence (if you are moving altogether) and fill in the necessary forms to transfer the account so you won’t be held liable for new bills. At your new residence, check that the account is paid up by the previous owner/tenant and transfer the account into your name.
Phone / ISP / Cable TV provider: Arrange for your accounts to be transferred to your new address on the day of the move so you’re connected immediately.
Insurance: Change your address for household insurance for the exact day of move. Many burglaries occurs in the first week after a move, so you want to be insured. If the moving company also offers insurance for your good in transit, weigh up the cost and risk involved.

Finance:

Bank: Let your bank know – you may have to transfer bank branches and get a new sort code as well. Also remember to inform other institutions with whom you may hold mortgages, short-term loans, student loans, additional savings or credit cards.
Policies: If you hold retirement annuities, life and disability insurance, funeral cover or other annuity policies, inform those institutions as well.
Store and loyalty cards: Ask to receive your statements at your new address.

Health:

GP, paediatrician, dentist, vet: These healthcare practitioners need to know to send your bills and reminders to your new address, and have your new address on record in case of an emergency.
Medical aid: Your medical aid or hospital plan needs to be informed too.
Gym membership.

Work and business:

Your employer (and your clients if you work from home).
Post office: Inform the Post Office and set up re-direction of your mail (if possible)
Postal address: If you have a PO BOX address, remember to move your account or close it.

Entertainment, leisure and social:

Newspaper and magazine subscriptions.
Clubs, including your children’s activity groups – sport, gym, hobbies, etc.

Family and household:

Have you informed relatives and friends?
Staff: make sure your nanny/cleaner/gardener know how to get to your new address – it may require new routes and a hike in fares, so check with them in advance.
Your child’s nursery, crèche or playschool needs to know in case of emergencies.
Pets: Are pets allowed in your new residence?
Private nurse, night nurse or your midwife.

Before the move:

Movers: If you’re planning to use a professional mover, book one well in advance. Many will offer to pack up your house for you at an additional cost, or supply you with boxes in advance, and even offer optional insurance covering the move from house to house. Consider your options: You could perhaps ask them to pack your kitchen breakables and other fragile items, as many movers won’t accept responsibility for breakages if you packed these yourself. Always read the terms and conditions carefully.
Painting and renovations: If you’d like to paint the house or do certain alterations, it’s a good idea to do this before taking occupation of your house. It’ll go a lot quicker if the house is empty, and you won’t have to worry about dust and fumes. If there are wood beetles in the floors, cupboards or skirting boards (especially coastal areas) you should also fumigate the house now.
Cleaner: If you’d like someone to help you clean your old and new houses, book some help.
Clean out: Start going through cupboards and throw out anything you don’t need or want so you can start with a clean slate in the new house (and have less packing to do later). Divide these up into recycling and charity piles.
Get measurements at the new house: This will help you decide whether to move your curtains and blinds over or to have new ones made, and help you plan where to place heavy furniture, such as pianos, which can’t easily be moved again later.
Dry-clean and steam clean: Dry-clean or wash your curtains, and steam clean your upholstery.
Dispose of unwanted furniture or appliances and make sure whomever is taking them collects them before the move.
Return all borrowed items.
Make a list of your items you need to retrieve: Dry-cleaning, items you’ve lent out, sports equipment stored at schools, etc.

When packing:

Get cardboard boxes and packing tape: The movers may be able to supply boxes and you could also ask your local supermarket or book dealer for boxes.
Start packing early: It always takes longer than you think. Send your children away for the day or weekend to enable you to work quicker.
Tighten the lids on all jars.
Wrap your breakables with bubble wrap or newspaper and fill any gaps in the boxes with pillows or books. Boxes are often stacked and boxes that aren’t filled to the top will collapse and tear under heavy weight.
Don’t make any box too heavy to carry. Half-fill a box with books and top up with light items.
Mark each box with a number and its destination room (kitchen/study) and then make notes of what goes in which boxes so it’s easy to find: often-used items like your hair drier or bedding on the other side.

On the day of the move

Put aside valuable items, money, documents.
Defrost your refrigerator.
Take down and dismantle the television/DSTV aerial.
Disconnect the stove (if you’re moving it with you).
Clean the house properly, in every nook and cranny.
Do a last check: are all rooms, garages, outhouses and tree-houses empty?
Are all taps closed?
Is the gas turned off?
Are the windows and doors secured?
Leave all sets of keys for the new occupant and if necessary, request that your post be forwarded to your new address.
Say goodbye to the neighbours as you embark on a new journey to a new home

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FAQ - How do I get a bank loan in Cambodia?

In many countries, having a steady job with a good income means you can borrow from a bank. This is not the case in Cambodia, where you can only get a loan if you have a land title. Banks refer to a land title as collateral, which cannot be a movable object, like a car, boat or a motorcycle.
According to Sanrith Puthya, a senior loan officer at Canadia Bank, “Our bank needs a land title. If you don’t have it, we cannot provide a loan for you… I think all the banks (in Cambodia) are the same.”

“… It comes down to fear of the borrower not paying the loan back in full due to current weakness in Cambodia’s laws”, explained Lun Bouna, a credit officer at Cambodian Public Bank. “In America, the government can control their people, but in Cambodia, if you don’t pay, you (can) run and we may not be able to find you,” he said.
The same policy is also enforced at Acleda Bank, Foreign Trade Bank, Cathay United Bank and Mekong Bank which means that, for small business owners or entrepreneurs, this leaves little choice for obtaining loans.

“There are very few Cambodian banks willing to lend to start-up companies with less than a three-year track record of being a profitable business,” says Anthony Galliano, an American banker who now has an investment management company in Cambodia. Part of the problem, he added, is that businesses in Cambodia have poor accounting practices and are not audited – so banks can’t rely on their financial records while making loans.

Microfinance loans

Microfinance institutions provide some loans without requiring a land title (usually only formal ID is needed), but these loans are generally very small and interest rates high. They also need to be paid back quickly, such as one year. Amret Microfinance, for instance, only makes small loans (<$500 per person). Interest rates range from 1.9 – 2.2% / month and the entire loan needs to be repaid within 12 months.

“Aeon Microfinance lends between $100 and $3,000, depending on the borrower’s income with an interest rate of 2.9% / month”, said Puth Leakena, an employee at Aeon Microfinance. In most cases, a borrower can get a loan of about twice their monthly salary, Ms. Leakena said, however foreigners cannot borrow from Aeon at all.
“These interest rates are very high, compared to rates in other countries”, agrees Mr. Galliano. “Twenty-four percent per year, that’s crazy,” he said, “The rates in the U.S. are pretty low – 3 – 6% per year”.

Inflation in Cambodia was 2.9% last year according to https://tradingeconomics.com/cambodia/inflation-cpi

Short-Term Loans

Even for customers with land titles, banks are unwilling to lend for long periods of time. Most loans in Cambodia are repayable within five years, Mr. Galliano said, compared to the USA, where mortgages can span decades.

The unwillingness to lend for extended periods affects long-term projects, Mr. Galliano said and because of this, businesses turn to equity (partner investment) rather than debt for financing. “In other economies you see debt financing, but here there is a much larger component of equity because it’s harder to get long term loans”, he said.

But even though equity funding is not easy to obtain, especially for SMEs, the banking sector has been making some positive moves. The country’s first credit bureau was established a few years ago, meaning that banks can now report on non-repayment of debt and avoid future lending to borrowers who have previously defaulted. “If you default on a loan, you’re going to get reported,” Galliano said. “You can also go after someone in court if they don’t pay”. However, Cambodian banks rely more on local peoples’ fear of ‘losing face’ or reputation, he added.

Some exceptions

Nonetheless, there are a few special cases making it possible to borrow from a bank without a title, such as:

➢ At Canadia Bank, which has a construction partner, a borrower can get a loan without a land title if s/he purchases a condominium or an apartment through the company’s housing project, according to housing loan officer Chhean Chankhyra.

➢ Cambodian Public Bank has previously loaned money using company assets – such as rice mill machinery – as collateral, said credit officer Lun Bouna. Galliano noted that a taxi company once obtained a loan from ABA using its taxi cabs as collateral.

➢ Foreign Trade Bank can lend against a borrower’s fixed deposit as collateral. If the customer has a savings account in the bank but does not wish to withdraw money and lose the interest, the bank can make a loan, as long as the amount loaned is less than what the customer already has in his or her savings account, said loan officer Meng Sengkry.

➢ Aeon Microfinance has a group loan program, where a group of as many as six borrowers can obtain a larger loan together, noting that each individual borrower’s loan cannot exceed $500.

For more, please go to: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/53124/in-cambodia-you-cannot-get-a-loan-from-a-bank-without-a-land-title/

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