Introduction
Since the election of a democratic government in 1993, Cambodia has welcomed visitors with open arms. In the last few years, the country has opened up with the coming of peace and it is now possible to visit many more provinces than in the past. Many of these destinations are unknown to the outside world, helping the visitor feel as much an explorer as a tourist. Cambodia is justly famous for its magnificent temples, but will soon be renowned for its abundant natural attractions and empty beaches. The tourist infrastructure in Cambodia has developed tremendously in recent years, including the opening of quality hotels and restaurants and the upgrading of roads and transport links, both within the country and to neighbouring countries. Cambodia is more accessible today than at any time in the past three decades and a journey here is a journey to a land of timeless grace and charm.

Filming Permits
The permits required for filming in Cambodia are fairly straightforward to organise. It is possible to get your permits organised in two weeks, but leave longer if it is possible. Film crews will need a general permission to film in the country from either the Ministry of Information or the Ministry of Culture in Cambodia. Generally speaking, documentaries and commercials need to get permission from the Ministry of Information and Dramas need to get permission from the Ministry of Culture but discuss this with the Hanuman Films team before moving ahead with the application process.

Crews need to supply the following information:

* Crew list with names and passport details
* Detailed equipment list – number of boxes, weight of each box, what equipment is in each one and the prices of each piece
* Synopsis of the storyline
* Flight itnieraries

Local permits may be needed from the local authority or land owner for some locations. They will need to see the Ministry Permit and may charge their own fees. Whether or not you need permits will depend on the location and the scale of your production. For small documentaries the main permit may suffice for most locations, but if filming any drama (especially if it includes the need for traffic control) then permits are needed for most locations. For large dramas it is necessary to inform the relevant local authorities.

Location fees will vary depending again on the location and the scale of your project. Fees can be negotiated by your fixer. The temples of Angkor require a filming permit which usually takes about one week to organise via the Aspara Authority.

Passports & Visas
One-month tourist visas, costing US$20 and requiring one passport-sized photograph, are available on arrival at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports and all land border crossings. It is also possible to arrange a visa through Cambodian embassies overseas or an online e-visa (US$25) through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: http://evisa.mfaic.gov.kh/. Any crew planning an extended stay should get a one-month business visa for US$25, as these are easier to renew. There is no special film crew or media visa required for filming in the kingdom of Cambodia.

International Flights
There are two international gateways to the Kingdom of Cambodia. Phnom Penh International Airport serves the capital of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap International Airport acts as a popular portal to the temples of Angkor. Airlines currently servicing Cambodia include local carriers Cambodia Angkor Air, as well as international carriers Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Silk Air, Malaysia Airlines, Dragon Air, Lao Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Eva Air and Vietnam Airlines. There are also several budget airlines, including Air Asia and Jetstar Asia. Direct flights to Cambodia are available from Bangkok, Saigon, Hanoi, Vientiane, Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Guangzhou, Taipei, Shanghai and Seoul.

Domestic Flights
Domestic flights are available between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap route with Cambodia Angkor Air. Siem Reap to Sihanoukville flights linking the temples of Angkor and the coast will start in December 2011.

Airport Taxes
US$25 for international flights from Phnom Penh and Siem Reap and US$6 for domestic flights between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Both international and domestic departure taxes are now included in the ticket price.

Money
The Riel is Cambodia's official currency (US $1 = 4000 riel), but US dollars are widely accepted. Most hotels accept international credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard and travellers cheques can be easily cashed. It is advisable for crew to use a combination of cash and travellers cheques for convenience. There are now international debit card and credit card-compatible ATMs in most major towns and cities. Small charges are sometimes levied on withdrawals. Larger sums can be withdrawn over the counter with some identification such as a passport.

Electricity
All urban areas have minimum electricity (220 volts). Many places are equipped with private power generators. Most sockets found in hotels are French style two-pin, but most properties can provide an adaptor on request.

Geography & Climate
Occupying an area of approximately 181,000 sq km, Cambodia is bordered to the north and west by Laos and Thailand, to the east by Vietnam, and to the south by the Gulf of Thailand. Cambodia's climate is characterised by three distinct seasons, unofficially known to resident expats as ‘hot, hotter and hottest.’ The rainy season extends from May to October. It is followed by a short, cool dry season from November to January, which develops into a hot dry season from February to May. Average daytime temperatures generally range from 25C to 30C, but can drop to 20C during the coolest months and hit 40C during the peak of the dry season.

Government
A Constitutional Monarchy was instituted under the leadership of HM King Norodom Sihanouk, following democratic elections in 1993. The Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) runs the government of the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Population and People
Cambodia's population is about 15 million and expanding rapidly. Khmers make up 90 percent of the population, while a variety of other ethnic groups make up the rest. They include a diverse group of Chinese, Vietnamese, Cham, and a number of tribal groups such as the Bunong, Kreung, Tampuon, Kuoy and Jarai among them.

Language
Cambodia's national language is Khmer, which is also referred to as Cambodian. English is the first language among young students, while French is still spoken by some of the older generation. Chinese and Vietnamese are also widely spoken in urban areas and Thai is quite well understood in Western Cambodia.

Religion
Cambodia's official religion is Theravada Buddhism. It was introduced in Cambodia in the 12th century. It is enhanced by traditional animist beliefs and Brahmanist practices long imported from India to form a very Cambodian fusion religion. There are also 500,000 muslims, mostly of Cham origin.

Health Precautions
No vaccinations are required for entry into Cambodia. However, it is recommended that all visitors be innoculated against typhoid, tetanus, and hepatitis A and B. It is not wise to drink tap water. Prescription drugs are easily obtainable in urban areas. Precautions against malaria, such as doxycycline or larium, are not necessary for Phnom Penh or Siem Reap and other urban areas, but are recommended when visiting remoter provinces. Travellers should consult their doctor or travel centre before leaving for Cambodia.

Food
Rice and fish are the staple diet for most Cambodians. Local specialities include curries, a variety of soups, and traditional beef, pork and poultry dishes. The national dish is amok, which is fresh fish steamed with coconut, curry paste and lemongrass in a banana leaf. Fresh seafood is also available and is especially popular with visitors travelling to the coast. Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine are also common in Cambodia, as is a variety of western cuisine which can be found in abundance in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

Shopping
Cambodia offers a wide range of handicrafts, such as beautiful silverware, pottery and jewellry. Religious themes and scenes of daily life feature strongly in oil paintings and intricate carvings made from sandstone, marble and some of Cambodia's tropical hardwoods. Perhaps most attractive to visitors are the wide range of traditional silk and cotton cloths which can be made into fine clothing by local tailors at a low cost. In true Asian tradition, open marketplaces are an integral part of Cambodian life. These markets sell everything from mainstream and exotic foods, clothes and electrical appliances, to hundreds of krama, the multi-purpose scarf worn by many Cambodians. Even for non-shoppers, the markets offer a fascinating glimpse of Cambodian daily life and culture. Bargaining is possible in markets and with street sellers where no fixed prices are displayed.