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Khmer New Year

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It is called “Khmer” New Year because Khmer are the dominant ethnic group within the nation. Ninety-five percent of Cambodia’s 15 million people follow Theravada Buddhism, which is also the official religion.  The calendar they follow is deeply steeped in their Buddhist religious traditions. The Cambodian  New Year falls on either the 13th or 14th of April, depending on the dictates of an ancient horoscope reading called “Maha Sangkran.” Khmer New Year arrives just after the harvest has been gathered and safely stored, which is significant since the majority of the population are still involved in agriculture. In fact, an earlier lunar calendar was abandoned in favour of the present solar-based one in order to ensure the holiday fell just after harvest time and before the rainy season. The celebrations begin on New Year’s Day, but they last for three consecutive days. On the first day of celebration, Cambodians dress in fine clothes, go to family shrines with lit candle

Visas and border crossings

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Popular visa types: Tourist and Business Cambodia has two principal types of visa: (1) the tourist ‘T’ class visa, which is valid for 30 days on a singly-entry basis and can only be extended once, and, (2) the business ‘E’ visa, which is initially also valid for 30 days on a multiple-entry basis and can be extended by one, three, six or 12 months, which you can continue to do indefinitely (at the time of writing in March 2015). The fee for a tourist visa is $30, while the one-month business visa is $35. You can obtain your visa either on arrival, or online in advance as a tourist e-visa , which costs $37 including a $7 processing fee. The tourist e-Visa should take three working days to process and is valid for use for three months from the date of issue. An e-visa will only be accepted at Siem Reap and Phnom Penh airports, Koh Kong, Poipet (from Thailand), and Bavet (from Vietnam). For a visa-on-arrival, you will need to bring two passport photos with you, or you will

Cambodia Visa and Passport

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For most visitors to the Kingdom, visa are obtainable upon arrival at both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap International Airports in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. At land crossing from Thailand, visas are available at Poipet Banteay Meanchey and Cham Yeam (Koh Kong province). Visitors who enter from Vietnam through Bavet (VN: Moc Bai) or Ka-Om Samnor (VN: Chao Doc) will need to have already obtained their visas prior to their arrival through a Cambodian Embassy or Consulate overseas . Tourists also can obtain visa through the online E-Visa . Some nationalities are required to get visa in advance at Royal Embassy of Kingdom of Cambodia in their country : Afghanistan, Algeria, Arab Saudi, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Nigeria. A passport and visa are required. Tourists and business travelers may purchase a Cambodian visa valid for one month at the airports in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap and borders. Both require a passport valid for at least six (6) months from the expi

CAMBODIA e-VISA INFORMATION

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  https://www.cambodiaonlinevisa.org/visa-information 1. What is the Kingdom of Cambodia e-Visa? The Kingdom of Cambodia e-Visa is an electronic authorisation from the Government issued in PDF format. It is the equivalent to a visa, but no stamp or label is placed in the passport. The e-Visa is an entry requirement to travel to and within Cambodia for touristic purposes. Anyone travelling to Cambodia for touristic purposes is required to present a visa at the port of entry 2. e-Visa Cambodia Instructions: The e-Visa Cambodia is a single entry visa. The e-Visa once issued is valid for three (3) months. e-Visa holders may remain in the Kingdom of Cambodia for a maximum of thirty (30) consecutive days after the initial entry date. Once the first thirty (30) days have passed, visitors may renew their visa at the immigration headquarters at the Cambodian National Police Immigration Department, Ministry of Interior, and stay an ext

Sugar palm tree - National Khmer icon

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The sugar palm tree - 'skor t'not' ( Borassus flabellifer ) is one of Cambodia's national icons. It is found throughout Cambodia and plays a very important role in providing a source of income for many Khmer as well as providing material for many home uses. It is a multi-purpose tree - every part of the tree is used for something - and often parts have many uses. Khmer use the timber for construction (houses, boats - dug out canoes), cooking and eating implements (chopsticks, spoons, forks, bowls, cups and plates), the leaves are used for many purposes (thatch for roof and walls, mats, baskets, fans and hats), branches are used for fencing and to make thongs/flip flops and juice and fruit are harvested and eaten and used for many things. Indeed the sharp edges of the fronds were also used by the Khmer Rouge to cut the throats of other Khmer Palm juice is collected from both the male and female flower. The male flowers will produce for 3 months but the female f