Area Codes -- The international dialing code for Cambodia is 855.

Business Hours -- Business hours are generally between 7am and 7pm from Monday to Friday. Markets close earlier, generally by 5pm. Most banks are open from around 8am to 3 or 4pm from Monday to Friday. Some are also open on Saturday mornings until 11:30am.

Drinking & Drug Laws -- In Cambodia, there are no regulations on drinking alcohol. Drugs are illegal (though marijuana is widely available), and if caught the police will likely attempt to extract large amounts of money from you.

Electricity -- The electrical system in Cambodia is 220 volts AC. Two-pin flat plugs are the norm. The electricity can often be cut without warning. It's a good idea to carry a flashlight, especially in more remote places.

Embassies & Consulates -- The embassy of the United States is at the corner of St. 96/51 (tel. 023/728-000). The embassy of Canada is represented by embassy of Australia, located at Australia Villa 11, St. 254 (tel. 023/213-470). The embassy of Ireland is represented by embassy of the United Kingdom, at No. 27 -- 29 St. 75 (tel. 023/427-124). There is no New Zealand Embassy in Cambodia.

Hospitals -- In the event of a medical emergency, you should head to Thailand. Healthcare in Cambodia is not good. Although the main hospital in Phnom Penh is the Calmette, it is not recommended. The International SOS Medical and Dental Clinic, at No. 161 St. 51 (tel. 023/216-911), is the best place to handle minor emergencies. Naga Clinic, at No. 11 St. 254 (tel. 011/811-175), is also recommended. For any major emergency or injury, however, you'll want to arrange medical evacuation.

In Siem Reap, the Royal Angkor International Hospital (No. 6 Airport Rd.; tel. 063/761-888; www.royalangkorhospital.com) provides 24-hour emergency care, ambulance, translation, and evacuation. Check on their website before departure to make sure your insurance covers you under their terms and conditions.

Language -- Khmer is the official language of Cambodia. English is increasingly widely spoken. Some older people speak French.

Mail -- Mail services from Cambodia are unreliable and things go missing. DHL has an office in Phnom on No. 28 Monivong Rd. (tel. 023/427-726), and FedEx is at No. 701D Monivong (tel. 023/216-712). It costs 2000 riel to send a postcard to the U.S., and 300 riel to send a letter.

Newspapers & Magazines -- Two English-language dailies are available. The Cambodia Daily carries plenty of local and national news and contains good analysis. The Phnom Penh Post, which for many years ran as a biweekly, has now been relaunched as a daily. The Bangkok Post is also widely available. Locally produced magazines come and go in Cambodia. The best of the bunch at present is the Southeast Asia Globe. Bookshops stock a range of foreign and international magazines.

Police -- In Cambodia, the police are not your friends. They are generally corrupt, so stay out of their way if possible. The ones you are most likely to come in contact with are traffic police. The bribes will start high, but $5 is the maximum you should pay for an infraction either real or invented. If you have something stolen and need a police report for insurance purposes, you may find that the police will attempt to extract a "fee" for their services. If you can, bring a Khmer speaker with you to aid negotiation.

Smoking -- Smoking is unregulated in Cambodia and remains very popular.

Taxes -- Taxes are levied in the form of VAT. A departure tax of $25 is payable on leaving the country by air.

Time -- Cambodia is 7 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.

Tipping -- Tipping is not generally a Cambodian custom but is appreciated in some tourist areas. Check that service is not already included. Tipping 10% of the bill is more than acceptable.

Water -- Do not drink the water or brush your teeth with it. Bottled water is freely available. Make sure the bottle is properly sealed on purchase.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.