I am planning to visit Phnom Penh in April and stay for one month. I would like to get a one month service apartment and maybe travel to Kompot or possibly Bangkok.
Is it better to get to PP before or after New Years? I think PP might be easier to get around town during New Years but might not well work getting an apartment. Any advice would be great. Thank you.

During Khmer New Year, Phnom Penh will be a lot quieter than usual and a lot of the businesses will be shut.

Many people will head to their home province to celebrate with the family.
So if you you want to experience Phnom Penh in its busy glory, perhaps come after KNY. Head to a smaller place to experience KNY.

If you want to come now, you should still be able to find a place to rent. Guesthouse and hotel rooms by the month can also be had for a decent price. Perhaps easier than a serviced apartment.

If you want to get all wet and partake in spraying other people, Bangkok would be a great option as Thai New Year is at the same time

I appreciate a break from the busy-ness and will likely stay here in PP meandering the streets like in the old days.

One thing I should add, we currently have daily power cuts here. This is not going to change before and even after KNY. Not a big issue but if you need electricity and Internet, there will be some interruptions.

When you rent something, perhaps ask if they have a generator.

Great advice Thank you. I lived i BKK for many years. Please I hope there is no water games in PP.

Very unlikely that you get really wet in Phnom Penh. I would still wrap my computer in some extra plastic but I have only been a little wet once in many years.
I hope that doesn’t change.
Thinking about it, I did turn back a couple of times when I saw people acting suspiciously.
Maybe someone else can chime in and share their ‘watering experience.’

hello, when do they start sending water in PP ? thanks.

I would go to SR for KNY, it's pretty good to visit and the area all around Angkor Wat is all set up well for the celebrations.

Whatever you decide, make sure you have accommodations arranged for the duration and in advance. (also true for CNY)

I was in Battambang for KNY last year and it was pretty wet and wild. I had wrapped everything up that was water-sensitive in ziplock bags and generally went with the flow. At least everyone was pretty good natured but more than one day of watering would have sufficed.

yongchi wrote: ↑Fri Mar 22, 2019 10:49 pm Very unlikely that you get really wet in Phnom Penh. I would still wrap my computer in some extra plastic but I have only been a little wet once in many years.
I hope that doesn’t change.

In the meantime, I have spoken to some people who have gotten wet in Phnom Penh, so disregard the “very unlikely.”

It seems to depend on where you live in PP.

What I experienced in Bangkok and Chiang Mai was a different ball game though. I couldn’t stay dry for thirty minutes.

In any case, better to seal non-waterproof phones, cameras and other valuables in waterproof ziplock bags or leave them at home.

Safe travels.