Everything you need to know about Cambodia: news, reviews, in-depth analysis, opinion and more
Overview of Cambodia, Home to the Enchanting Angkor Wat Temple
This Buddhist country of Cambodia, located in Southeast Asia, has a chequered past. It was ruled by the powerful Khmer Empire from the 9 th to 12 th century, the Khmer rulers built the gigantic Angkor Wat temple complex at Angkor, which is dedicated to both Hindu and Buddhist pantheons. However the 1970’s saw the start of the bloody regime of Pol Pot, leader of the infamous Khmer Rouge. During this terrifying period the Khmer Rouge subjected millions of innocent Cambodians to genocide and scores were left homeless.
The country returned to normality only during the 1990’s under an UN-brokered peace agreement in 1991. Although Cambodia is still agriculture-dependent, it has a thriving tourism industry and some modern developments have started due to the aid received from countries like Japan, France, Germany, Canada and Australia.
Cambodia Facts:
Geographical Information on Cambodia:
Cambodia shares its border with Thailand in the north and west, with Laos in the northeast and with Vietnam in the east and southeast. Its most distinctive geographical feature is the lacustrine plain formed by the inundations of the Tonle Sap or the Great Lake. Rice is the major crop cultivated in this great plain that also forms the staple diet of the Cambodians. Cambodia lacks high mountain peaks, the exceptions being the lofty Cardamom Mountains and their southeast extension the Damrej Mountains.
Cambodia is a tropical country receiving rain from southwest monsoons that blow from the Gulf of Thailand and the Indian Ocean. Its wettest season is from September to October so if you like rainy places this is the period to visit Cambodia. However if you prefer dry seasons in order to explore the exotic locations like the Angkor Wat temple then you may travel to Cambodia anytime during November to March.
Culture and Tourist Attractions of Cambodia:
More than 90% of Cambodians are of Khmer origin and speak the Khmer language, while the rest speak Chinese, Vietnamese, Cham and Khmer Loeu. The name "Cambodia" derives from the French Cambodge, which comes from the Khmer word Kâmpuchea, meaning, "born of Kambu." The institution of kingship is symbolically important for the Cambodians and devotion to the king sustained even during the communist phase.
The Vietnamese people are sometimes seen with hostility by the Cambodians due to the large-scale migration of the Vietnamese who have taken up different jobs in Cambodia. Concurrently there are significant populations of Cambodians in Vietnam and Thailand. Apart from this Cambodia is also home to the Cham, a predominantly Muslim minority that began migrating during the 15 th century.
Khmer culture has distinctive styles of dance, architecture and sculpture that have historically developed. The prime example of Khmer architecture is the Angkor Wat temple, apart from hundreds of other temples around the region. Other tourist attractions in Cambodia include the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, the infamous prison of the Khmer Rouge, and also the Choeung Ek that was one of the main killing fields of the Rouge. By far the most attended Cambodian national festival is the Bonn Om Teuk, which is the annual boat-rowing contest held in the beautiful Mekong river.
Major Sight-seeing Places in Cambodia include:
Shimla, May 21 (IANS) India's richest biodiversity site in the western Himalayas, the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) in Himachal Pradesh, is likely to become the country's seventh natural Unesco World Heritage site, a wildlife official said.
Phnom Penh, May 10 (IANS) India will provide 40,000 bottles of indelible ink to Cambodia to be used in the country's general election in July, the National Election Committee(NEC) said Friday.
New Delhi, April 29 (IANS) Social protection policies such as MGNREGS and the direct cash transfer scheme can play a key role in fighting child labour, a report by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) said Monday.
Scientists have discovered new drug-resistant strains of the parasite responsible for causing malaria. These malaria-causing parasites were found in western Cambodia and have found to be different from the other strains present across the world. The researchers also found that, these parasites have the ability to withstand treatment by artemisinin - a frontline drug in the fight against malaria.
London, April 29 (ANI): Scientists have identified new drug-resistant strains of the parasite that causes malaria.
Beijing, Apr. 25 (Xinhua-ANI): ASEAN leaders Thursday reaffirmed their full support for all efforts to bring about the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the early resumption of the Six-party Talks.
Melbourne, Apr 24 (ANI): The world's most expensive holiday will take two years and cost a staggering 1.5 million dollars, and one lucky traveller is about to embark on this very memorable trip.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 21 (IANS) The central government has approved the introduction of visa-on-arrival (VoA) service at Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi airports, a minister said Sunday.
Jaipur, April 15 (IANS) Indian authorities Monday said consultations were going on about allowing visas-on-arrival (VoAs) to citizens of around 10-16 countries, in addition to the present 11 nations.
New Delhi, April 12 (IANS) As many as 30 officials from 19 countries are attending a course on emerging poll challenges at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) of the Election Commission of India, officials said Friday.
New Delhi, Apr. 12 (ANI): The Visa on Arrival (VOA) scheme of the government for foreign tourists registered a growth of 63 percent during March 2013.
New Delhi, April 11 (ANI): The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Professor P.J.Kurien, has been unanimously elected the chairman of the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD) today in Bangkok.
Beijing, April 11 (IANS) Chinese government will spend 1 billion yuan (about $161 million) in 2013 to protect Sanjiangyuan, a region which serves as the source of China's three biggest rivers, Xinhua reported.
Yangon, April 10 (IANS) Myanmar's finance and revenue ministry Wednesday appointed two foreign companies as sponsorship management consultant for upcoming 27th Southeast Asian Games to be held in Myanmar later this year.
Phnom Penh, April 10 (IANS) The US Wednesday launched a $30 million initiative to support Cambodia's fight against HIV/AIDS, the US embassy here said.
Sydney, Apr. 9 (ANI): Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced a new 'strategic partnership' between Australia and China during her visit to Beijing.
Manila, April 5 (Xinhua-ANI):Top officials from the United States and Philippines on Friday formally started a joint military exercise which will involve 8,000 troops from both countries and dozens of military assets, including a squadron of F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets.
Manila, March 27 (IANS) The Philippines defeated Turkmenistan 1-0 to earn a spot in next year's Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup in the Maldives.
Washington, March 22 (IANS) Some 10 million Indians say they would like to leave their country and move to the US permanently -- the No. 1 desired destination for potential migrants around the world, according to a new poll.
Kuala Lumpur, March 21 (IANS) The member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should further boost investment to weather uncertainties of the current global economic climate, said its deputy secretary-general Lim Hong Hin Thursday.
London, March 18 (ANI): TV chef Stefan Gates thinks eating worms, ants and locusts could be the obvious answer to the soaring food prices.
Four men were recently jailed for providing matchmaking services for ghosts. They supplied 10 female spirits for 10 lonely male spirits. The female ghosts have been returned to their original graveyards.
Phnom Penh, March 14 (IANS) Ieng Sary, former foreign minister of the Democratic Kampuchea, also known as Khmer Rouge regime (1975-79), died Thursday at the age of 87 due to illness after 10 days in hospital, a spokesman of the UN-backed tribunal said.
Hanoi, March 12 (IANS) Over 10,000 Vietnamese have been affected by the hand-foot-mouth disease, a contagious viral illness that affects mostly infants and children, the health ministry said Tuesday.
Beijing, Mar 1 (IANS) Myanmarese drug lord Naw Kham, convicted of murdering 13 Chinese sailors on the Mekong river in 2011, and three of his accomplices were executed Friday, a court in China announced.
New Delhi, Mar 1 (IANS) A proposal to extend the visa-on-arrival scheme to 16 countries was submitted Friday by Tourism Minister K. Chiranjeevi to Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, the tourism ministry said.
Kurukshetra, Feb 26 (IANS) There is relief in sight for a decaying 'holy tree' at a spot in Haryana's Kurukshetra town where Lord Krishna is believed to have given the message of the Gita to Arjuna, with forestry experts exploring ways of reviving the nearly century-old banyan tree.
New Delhi, Feb. 12 (ANI): The Visa on Arrival (VOA) scheme of the Indian Government registered a growth of 24.4 per cent in January 2013 as compared to January 2012.
Phnom Penh, Feb 8 (IANS) A court in Cambodia Friday convicted a 58-year-old French national of child sex abuse and sentenced him to 18 months in jail, Xinhua reported.
Washington, Feb 2 (IANS) As Hillary Clinton passed on the baton of America's top diplomat to John Kerry, a question was raised whether his supposed soft corner for Pakistan should be a cause for worry to New Delhi?
Agra, Jan 29 (IANS) The ASEAN+6 Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement should transform the region by higher economic growth through more cross-border trade and investment, a minister from Vietnam said here Tuesday.
Beijing, Jan 27 (IANS) A luxury apartment in Shanghai or Beijing costs more than 130 times the annual income of an ordinary wage earner in China, says a report by a US online property research company.
Wellington, Jan 27 (ANI): It was a huge sacrifice for a guy from Melbourne dubbed by his friends a ladies' man to pass a whole year without sex.
Abu Dhabi, Jan 24 (IANS/WAM) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has held talks with Cambodia to discuss avenues of cooperation in investment.
Guwahati, Jan. 19 (ANI): Union Tourism Minister K. Chiranjeevi, who inaugurated the 'International Tourism Mart' here on Saturday, called for accelerating the rate of growth of foreign tourist arrivals.
Washington, Jan 18 (IANS) As President Barack Obama works on his "big part of my plans" for India in his second term, an influential US think tank has made four concrete proposals to advance their shared priorities, including pitching for a second presidential visit to India.
Itanagar, Jan .17 (ANI): Arunachal Pradesh has added another feather to its wings after being voted the 'Favourite Upcoming Destination' by a travel magazine.
Phnom Penh, Jan 15 (IANS) Four American land mine removal experts were injured Tuesday when an unexploded ordnance (UXO) blew up at a mine clearance training field in Cambodia, Xinhua reported.
New Delhi, Jan 15 (IANS) Japanese tourists were issued the maximum Visas on Arrival (VoAs) in 2012, closely followed by New Zealanders, tourism ministry officials Tuesday.
New Delhi, Jan 4 (ANI): Minister of State for Tourism K. Chiranjeevi has said that India as a part of its the look east policy is sparing no effort to add more content to its 'strategic partnership' with Vietnam, in the fields of defence, economic, scientific-educational and cultural cooperation.
Phnom Penh, Dec 27 (IANS) Cambodia and Thailand Thursday launched a single visa scheme for tourists, the Cambodian foreign ministry said. Indians are among people from 35 countries who are eligible for this visa.
London, Dec 25 (ANI): A couple from Britain has reportedly planned to beat a previous tandem journey record of 38,143kms from New Zealand to London.
Yangon, Dec 24 (IANS) Myanmar has reaffirmed its pledge to boost ASEAN-India relations and close cooperation with other member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Mumbai, Dec 22 (IANS) Myanmar offers great opportunities for Indian business community to invest in infrastructure and power projects, visiting Myanmar President U. Thein Sein said here Friday.
Phnom Penh, Dec 22 (IANS) Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen asked for $57 million concessional loan from India for two development projects and urged India to consider direct flights to Cambodia.
New Delhi, Dec.21 (ANI): The India-ASEAN Special Commemorative Summit began in New Delhi with participating nations vowing to step up cooperation on maritime security, a move that comes amid tension with China in the potentially oil- and gas-rich South China Sea.
New Delhi, Dec.21 (ANI): A summit between India and ASEAN began in New Delhi with the hope of signing an upgraded free trade agreement.
New Delhi, Dec 21 (IANS) For the heads of state, government and even a sultan, it was the finest in Indian cuisine that was on offer at Taj Palace Hotel where Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur hosted a luncheon in honour of ASEAN leaders here Friday.
The Prime Minister Manmohan Singh commenting over the growing relationship between India and ASEAN countries said, "India -ASEAN relations are at an exciting stage".......................
New Delhi, Dec 21 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Friday said India and ASEAN have embarked on a new journey of closer cooperation and deeper ties for peace, progress and prosperity of the region, and the world at large.
New Delhi, Dec 21 (IANS) Larik dancers from Indonesia swayed with kathak dancers from India, dudang dudang dancers from Brunei joined rhythm with India's famed kuchipudi artists while the Myanmarese did a cultural synthesis with Laotians. Various song and dance traditions representing 10 ASEAN countries fused in a rich cultural medley to celebrate the common cultural space and civilisation they have shared for over two millennia.
New Delhi, Dec 21 (ANI): India is set to sign an agreement on free trade in services and investment with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which could enhance trade up to $100 billion by 2015.
New Delhi, Dec 20 (IANS) Unveiling the vision of a resurgent and integrated Asia, India and the 10-nation ASEAN Thursday declared the conclusion of negotiations on a FTA in services and investments and upgraded their ties to a strategic partnership that includes closer cooperation in political, economic and security areas.
New Delhi, Dec. 20 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Thursday said the conclusion of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in services and investment represents a valuable milestone in the ASEAN-India relationship.
New Delhi, Dec 20 (ANI): Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak met his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on Thursday and sought closer cooperation in security and economic sphere ahead of the 20th anniversary of the ASEAN-India dialogue partnership summit.
Singapore, Dec 20 (IANS) India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have largely resolved their differences and are close to striking an upgraded free trade agreement, a media report Thursday quoted Singapore's Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang as saying.
New Delhi, Dec 19 (IANS) Its being called a commemorative summit, but it's more of a celebratory gathering. India and the 10-member ASEAN - its neighbours in the southeast - are set to take their ties to a strategic level at a two-day summit beginning here Thursday - a relationship that has been on a growth trajectory for the past 20 years and has witnessed "really no problem areas".
New Delhi, Dec 19 (IANS) India and the 10-member ASEAN - its neighbours in the southeast - are set to take their close ties to a significantly higher level at a two-day commemorative summit beginning here Thursday - a relationship that has been on a growth trajectory for the past 20 years and has witnessed "really no problem areas".
New Delhi, Dec 19 (ANI): President Pranab Mukherjee will receive the visiting heads of state/government of the ASEAN-India Special Commemorative Summit at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here on Thursday.
New Delhi, Dec 19 (IANS) President Pranab Mukherjee will receive the ASEAN leadership at Rashtrapati Bhavan Thursday when they arrive in the capital to participate in the ASEAN-India Special Commemorative Summit, an official statement from the president's office said Wednesday.
New Delhi, Dec 19 (IANS) India and the 10-nation ASEAN will hold a two-day commemorative summit starting Thursday that is expected to culminate in a free trade agreement in services and a vision document on scaling up ties across diverse areas, including trade, energy, security and cultural connectivity.
New Delhi, Dec 18 (IANS) India is set to scale up its multi-faceted relations with the 10-nation Asean to new heights with the two sides expected to declare a free trade agreement (FTA) in services and investment at the two-day commemorative summit that starts Thursday.
New Delhi, Dec 18 (IANS) India is poised to give a big boost to its Look East policy when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh holds bilateral talks with leaders of Indonesia, Malaysia, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia on the sidelines of the two-day commemorative summit with the Asean regional grouping that starts here Thursday.
New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) Women riding pillion on two-wheelers must also be asked to wear helmets in the city, said an NGO Sunday, urging the Delhi government to make helmets mandatory for all.
New Delhi, Dec 10 (IANS) The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has signed a pact with Cambodia's Association for Small and Medium Enterprises (FASMEC) in a move towards boosting ties with an ancient trading partner, the industry lobby said here Monday.
London, Dec 7 (IANS) A newly-wedded woman collapsed and died during her honeymoon trip in Cambodia after mistakenly taking heroin for cocaine, an inquest has heard.
Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Dec. 7 (ANI): Participants of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-India Car Rally 2012 received a warm welcome as they reached Vietnam in the sixth leg on Thursday.
Washington, Nov. 27 (ANI): After years of watching its international influence eroded by a slow moving economy, Japan is trying to raise its profile in a new way.
New Delhi, Nov 27 (IANS) With power games intensifying in the wake of the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan in 2014, India and the US have decided to develop an economic development?focused agenda to stabilise the country.
London, Nov. 27 (ANI): A British adventurer has become the first person to travel to all 201 sovereign states in the world without flying.
Phnom Penh, Nov. 23 (ANI): US President Barack Obama's historic first trip to Southeast Asia ended with a questionably disrespectful greeting Cambodia's First Lady Bun Rany shared with him.
New Delhi, Nov 21 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will meet top BJP leaders over dinner Thursday in a bid to narrow down differences with principal opposition party over contentious issues including FDI in multi?brand retail during the winter session of parliament.
New Delhi, Nov 21 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will meet top BJP leaders over dinner Thursday in a bid to blunt the principal opposition party's likely attack on the government during the winter session of parliament which commences Nov 22.
Washington, Nov. 21 (ANI): President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton found time aboard Air Force One to recollect about their long relationship and unlikely alliance, as they took their final trip abroad together amid the Middle East crisis.
New Delhi, Nov.20 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, returned home on Tuesday night after attending the 10th ASEAN-India and the Seventh East Asia Summits in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
On Board Air India One, Nov 20 (IANS) US President Barack Obama said he attaches "special significance" to relations with India during his brief "very friendly and frank" talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at Phnom Penh Tuesday.
US President Barack Obama met Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for the first time after winning the re-election on Tuesday. During the meet Obama told Manmohan Singh that "India is a big part of my plan ". Both of them met on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Nov 20, 2012.
Phnom Penh, Nov 20 (IANS) Southeast Asia is emerging resilient from the global economic turmoil and will grow at a "robust" average of 5.5 percent over the next five years, propelled by rising investment and domestic consumption, says the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
Phnom Penh, Nov 20 (IANS) Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao met US President Barack Obama Tuesday on the sidelines of the seventh East Asia Summit in Cambodia.
Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Nov.20 (ANI): Leaders of Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) and regional partners attended dinner at Cambodia's Diamond Island Convention Centre on Monday, and brought to an end to a tense day of talks on the South China Sea issue, which threatened to expose rifts between ASEAN members and also China over how the issue should be dealt with
Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Nov 20 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday said that "the best is yet to come" in India's relations with the 10?member Asean.
Phnom Penh, Nov. 20 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, met
Phnom Penh, Nov. 20 (ANI): Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has emphasized on the importance of international law in resolving territorial rows in the South China Sea.
Phnom Penh, Nov 20 (IANS) Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Tuesday met US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the seventh East Asia Summit in Cambodia.
Phnom Penh, Nov 20 (IANS) The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and the US have agreed to institutionalise the meeting of their leaders to an annual summit as a step towards raising the partnership to a strategic level, according to a press statement Tuesday.
Phnom Penh, Nov 20 (IANS) The first?ever ASEAN global dialogue was held here Tuesday, focusing on global challenges, particularly economic and financial issues.
Rome, Nov 20 (IANS) The world rice production in 2013 is expected to outpace consumption, according to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Nov 19 (IANS) India will participate in negotiations for a mega trade agreement among 16 East Asian nations aimed to bring down trade barriers and cut customs duties across the region in the Cambodian capital Tuesday.
Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Nov.19 (ANI): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh attended the 10th ASEAN-India summit in Phnom Penh on Monday with the aim of strengthening India's relations with countries in the South East Asian region.
Yangon, Nov 19 (IANS) Newly re?elected American President Barack Obama Monday visited Myanmar, becoming the first US president ever to make a trip to the Southeast Asian nation, where he met pro?democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. He said the country was on a remarkable journey of reform.
Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Nov 19 (IANS) Meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here Monday, outgoing Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao remarked that it was their 14th meeting in eight years. He added that it would also be, most likely, the last time the two met officially.
Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Nov 19 (IANS) The ASEAN+3 (China, Japan and South Korea) Summit was held here Monday to discuss measures and actions to further enhance their cooperation in the future.
Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Nov 19 (IANS) China Monday assured India that it is aware of the need to balance trade between the two countries, which is heavily loaded in favour of Beijing, and "it will be done gradually".
Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Nov 19 (IANS) Meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here Monday, outgoing Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao remarked that it was their 14th meeting in eight years, and probably also the last time the two met officially.
Yangon, Nov 19 (IANS) Newly re?elected US President Barack Obama arrived here Monday to kick off his visit to Myanmar, becoming the first sitting US president to visit the Southeast Asian nation.
Yangon, Nov 19 (IANS) Newly re?elected US President Barack Obama arrived here Monday to kick off his visit to Myanmar.
Phnom Penh, Nov 19 (IANS) A car rally from Jakarta to Delhi and an Indian Navy ship touching ports of the 10?member ASEAN countries are part of India's move to demonstrate connectivity and trade with this major regional bloc. India's trade with the bloc currently stands at $79 billion.
Bangkok, Nov 19 (IANS) US President Barack Obama, on his first post?election overseas tour, visited a world?famous Buddhist temple, and met Thai king Bhumibol Adulyadej and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Nov. 18 (ANI): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday arrived in Cambodian capital Phnom Penh on for a three-day visit to attend the tenth ASEAN-India Summit and the seventh East Asia Summit.
Onboard Air India One, Nov 18 (ANI): Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma on Sunday said the government is ready to face any challenge from the opposition during the winter session of Parliament on its executive move to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) in the multi-brand retail sector.
