A new US$100 million five star hotel is being built by the Sokimex conglomerate in Cambodia's capital

The 799-room hotel which is expected to be completed by 2011 will be situated on the east side of the riverfront on Chhroy Changva peninsula in Phnom Penh's Russey Keo district.

"The 16-storey Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel will be built on six hectares of land which is under a 99-year land lease from city hall from 2007," Sokimex president Sok Kong told the Phnom Penh Post.

Sok Kong said the location of the hotel was atmospheric with beautiful river views but admitted, "There is a problem with traffic because there is only one bridge for access".

He said that although the city had recently experienced a hotel boom no new conference facilities have been built to entice business travellers to the city.

The Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel will feature two conference rooms with seating capacity for 1,500 persons and parking spaces for 1,000 cars.

"The hotel's conference centre will seat up to 1,500 people, and will be the [country's] biggest conference hall. It will raise Cambodia's reputation internationally," he said.

"The Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel will be the hotel with the largest conference hall in the city, and it will be suitable for international conferences," said So Mara, undersecretary of state in the tourism ministry.

Cambodia Hotel Association president Loo Meng welcomed the new hotel which will create 1,200 jobs for Cambodians.

“It is a good sign for the tourism sector. It shows that the tourism industry is getting better and better,” he said.

"The hotel will be good for high-class guests, and it will be as high quality as those in neighbouring countries."

Sok Kong said that the Sokha Phnom Penh would be the third five-star hotel operated by Sokimex in Cambodia, joining existing Sokha hotels in Sihanoukville and Siem Reap. Two more were on the drawing boards, he added.

Sokimex is also building two golf courses in a protected area on Bokor Mountain, Sok Kong said, adding that the company was also planning a resort at the site of old Bokor casino.


Source EBT News

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A new entrance of meter Taxis would facilitate an easy accessibility in Phnom Penh City, Cambodia.

A new investment of Chinese-invested Global Cambodia Trade Development Co Ltd provides Taxi services provision in Phnom Penh city, Cambodia. A fleet of 12 shiny new taxis was deployed on the streets of Phnom Penh over the weekend by the Chinese-invested Global Cambodia Trade Development Co Ltd. The service provision would facilitate a more easy accessibility for local resident and international tourists with the affordable price and comfortable travel in the city. The company has set a two-kilometer taxi ride cost US$1 and 400 Riels ($0.10) for each 200 meters. Taxis offer a greater service in terms of comfort and safety along with lower fares.


Phnom Penh governor Kep Chuktema said at city hall that the city strongly supported the new metered taxis. While he acknowledged the complaints of Tuk-Tuk drivers that “it’s a free market and everyone should compete.” Under the company’s agreement with city hall inked in November 2007, Global would deploy 12 more taxis in the next couple of week and would operate a fleet of 60 vehicles by September 2008, said Lim. The company has invested $1.5 million in setting up the service and expected to operate at a loss of $150,000 to $200,000 in the first year, he said.


However, a new entrance of meter taxis would make harder competition for Tuk-Tuk drivers while a new substitution service provider has more advantages in the same industry. Global Cambodia Trade Development CEO Andre Lim said the point was not to compete with other services.” We just want to provide more choices to people,” Lim said. Even though there is a clear statement of Global Cambodia Trade Development CEO, it will have unavoidable effects for the Tuk-Tuk drivers. Despite the fact that meter Taxis have a better service, it is optional service for the customer and it depends accordingly to the customers’ preference. The more service providers the more choices customers could make and the better serves is offered.


By CHHEM Samnang


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Cambodia Travel, Cambodia Tourism, Cambodia Capital City: Market in Phnom Penh

Many of Phnom Penh main attractions including, the National Museum and Royal Palace congregate along rive front. But this vibrant capital is filled with far more than culture and color, and some of the best places to witness and unmatched charm of the city are at its traditional markets.

Phsar Thom Thmey market, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

The oldest markets are Psar Thom Thmei, Psar Kandal and Psar Chas, which literally translate to old market. Psar is thought to derive from Arabic word for bazaar and, indeed, many of Phnom Penh’s market scenes appear more reminiscent of a Turkish fair than an outdoor and market place in Southeast Asia.

Located near the main post office by Wat Phnom, Psar Chas sells CDs, DVDs and books; religious offering such as shrines and fresh fruit, and vegetable, fish and poultry. Numerous tables set up out side the market offer shoe repair and shines, while hairdressers and make up shops occupied the inner portion. This is one of the few markets in the city that sells food late and many motorbike driver and local Khmers arrive at night for bit to eat. Stalls which fluorescent light sell Chinese style roasted duck and chicken and whole families come to enjoy bread with pâté, rice soup, friend meatball, and quail eggs, which are especially popular among Khmer women.

Psar Kandal, near the river on street 13, also offers visitors a taste of local life. The markets boast an abundance of food stall where you can eat for as little as 2,000 reils (US$ 0.5). It also sells house wares, hardware and children’s toys. Fruit and vegetable are not hard to come by but if it is coconut you are after, head to Psar Doem Kor, on Mao Tse Toung Boulevard near Inter-Continental, where truck loads of coconut are imported daily from Kompot Province.

Psar Thom Thmei’s 1930’s Art Deco design has made it a Phnom Penh landmark. Laid out by French town planner Ernest Habrard, this airy, open market is the commercial hub of the city, offering from fried spiders to CDs. Literally “The New Market”, but better known as central market, Psar Thom Thmei’s central yellow dome sprout four wing, chockfull of stalls selling clothing, shoe, bags and souvenir, including coins, Khmer antique, silver plates, silk, stone, statuettes and bronze figurines. Beneath the dome sit rows of lit glass cases displaying tray of gold and silver jewelry. The Central Market is also famous for its fresh jasmine flower which Khmer use in their lavish wedding ceremonies and offer to monks on religious occasion. Price varies, but hard bargaining is conventional.

The city’s second most visited is Psar Toul Tumpoung, or the Russian Market, a name earned for its popularity during 1980s among the city many Russian expatriates. A market has gain reputation for cheap DVDs and clothing, and is also hotspot for locals in searching snacks. For the travelers, the markets present the large selection of Buddha image and woodcarvings, betelnut boxes, silk, silver jewelry and classic musical instruments.

(By: Prak Chan Thul)


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