Recommended Driver in Siem Reap/Angkor Cambodia
Aug 13, 2016, 11:45 pm
#91
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 2
Polite, fair and fun driver
We spent 3 days with Synon driving around Siem Reap and enjoyed a lot this time... He was so helpful all time even taking care of our Anthony who refused to visit the temples... Always on time to pick us at the hotel or the places we agreed to meet, always refreshing us with cold water or the powerful cold towels... And the most nice of it, an authentic smile always in his face! Thanks Synon for wonderful days in Siem Reap,.. Highly recommend this driver 
Aug 14, 2016, 6:56 pm
#94
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
*Not that anyone is aware of how many mosquitoes, nor of which genus, are present since catching them in the area is very much off limits and grounds for any research organization to lose their ability to operate in country.
Aug 15, 2016, 9:35 pm
#96
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,018
There might be more tuk tuks than mosquitoes* in REP, why would anyone need his help to hire one?
*Not that anyone is aware of how many mosquitoes, nor of which genus, are present since catching them in the area is very much off limits and grounds for any research organization to lose their ability to operate in country.
*Not that anyone is aware of how many mosquitoes, nor of which genus, are present since catching them in the area is very much off limits and grounds for any research organization to lose their ability to operate in country.
IMO, The purpose of this thread is really to help travelers with a known and dependable driver (whether its an SUV or whatever) in a foreign country.
To that effect, Synon has been simply awesome based on the reports we hear in this thread.
Aug 15, 2016, 9:36 pm
#97
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,018
We spent 3 days with Synon driving around Siem Reap and enjoyed a lot this time... He was so helpful all time even taking care of our Anthony who refused to visit the temples... Always on time to pick us at the hotel or the places we agreed to meet, always refreshing us with cold water or the powerful cold towels... And the most nice of it, an authentic smile always in his face! Thanks Synon for wonderful days in Siem Reap,.. Highly recommend this driver
^
Aug 16, 2016, 2:36 am
#98
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Radisson Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 3,623
I highly recommend that anyone with access to a car and an extra day visit Beng Mealea temple.
Aug 16, 2016, 5:10 am
#99
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
That's fair. Some people (on a % basis very few) have had negative experiences with "random" tuk tuk drivers. I'd say getting a known, recommended driver to visit temples is a luxury and not the necessity it might be in other places. But for first timers who want a guaranteed, no hassle experience, not a bad idea.
I highly recommend that anyone with access to a car and an extra day visit Beng Mealea temple.
I highly recommend that anyone with access to a car and an extra day visit Beng Mealea temple.
I've had a great tuk tuk driver in REP for years but I might have lost touch with him sadly.
Beng Melea is a great temple - thrilled to have the opportunity to have been there in 2005 - and can be combined with Preah Vihear on a full day tour. It's possible, if driver is willing, to also hit Koh Ker, but it requires an early start out of Siem Reap and limited time to wander Koh Ker.
Aug 16, 2016, 8:30 am
#100
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,018
Yes, there are lazy drivers wanting nothing more than a quick drive and fat payday, just as there are crappy guides and, let's face it, in an area with little education and lots of money in the form of tourism everyone and their uncle is trying to feed off the flow, regardless of their ability or penchant to serve.
I've had a great tuk tuk driver in REP for years but I might have lost touch with him sadly.
Beng Melea is a great temple - thrilled to have the opportunity to have been there in 2005 - and can be combined with Preah Vihear on a full day tour. It's possible, if driver is willing, to also hit Koh Ker, but it requires an early start out of Siem Reap and limited time to wander Koh Ker.
I've had a great tuk tuk driver in REP for years but I might have lost touch with him sadly.
Beng Melea is a great temple - thrilled to have the opportunity to have been there in 2005 - and can be combined with Preah Vihear on a full day tour. It's possible, if driver is willing, to also hit Koh Ker, but it requires an early start out of Siem Reap and limited time to wander Koh Ker.
That's fair. Some people (on a % basis very few) have had negative experiences with "random" tuk tuk drivers. I'd say getting a known, recommended driver to visit temples is a luxury and not the necessity it might be in other places. But for first timers who want a guaranteed, no hassle experience, not a bad idea.
I highly recommend that anyone with access to a car and an extra day visit Beng Mealea temple.
I highly recommend that anyone with access to a car and an extra day visit Beng Mealea temple.
Aug 23, 2016, 11:34 am
#101
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 196
I had already booked Synon as my driver for a three day trip before I saw this thread. I had just found him randomly online while searching for a driver in Siam Reap.
I will give him another glowing recommendation. We had a group of four people, and we all fit easily in his Lexus SUV. He was friendly, always on time, knew a ton about the temples, and had great recommendations. His English was perfect, and he wasn't pushy about offering up recommendations for other attractions. We had him choose lunch for us on two of our days, and both places were fantastic, clean, and cheap.
If I return to Siem Reap in the near future, I would use Synon again.
I will give him another glowing recommendation. We had a group of four people, and we all fit easily in his Lexus SUV. He was friendly, always on time, knew a ton about the temples, and had great recommendations. His English was perfect, and he wasn't pushy about offering up recommendations for other attractions. We had him choose lunch for us on two of our days, and both places were fantastic, clean, and cheap.
If I return to Siem Reap in the near future, I would use Synon again.
Aug 23, 2016, 12:46 pm
#102
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,018
I had already booked Synon as my driver for a three day trip before I saw this thread. I had just found him randomly online while searching for a driver in Siam Reap.
I will give him another glowing recommendation. We had a group of four people, and we all fit easily in his Lexus SUV. He was friendly, always on time, knew a ton about the temples, and had great recommendations. His English was perfect, and he wasn't pushy about offering up recommendations for other attractions. We had him choose lunch for us on two of our days, and both places were fantastic, clean, and cheap.
If I return to Siem Reap in the near future, I would use Synon again.
I will give him another glowing recommendation. We had a group of four people, and we all fit easily in his Lexus SUV. He was friendly, always on time, knew a ton about the temples, and had great recommendations. His English was perfect, and he wasn't pushy about offering up recommendations for other attractions. We had him choose lunch for us on two of our days, and both places were fantastic, clean, and cheap.
If I return to Siem Reap in the near future, I would use Synon again.
Oct 2, 2016, 9:52 pm
#103
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1k; HH, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26
Another positive review for Synon. I just returned and had him drive us for a day, pick up/drop off at airport. He was safe, very helpful in our touring, offering some suggestions (as stated he's a driver, not a tour guide, but does have good general insight), spoke English well, very prompt on returning emails, always had a cold water and cool towel when we returned to his Lexus (we also asked him why Siem Reap had so many RX's and he said the Chinese love them so all the drivers get them). I'd use his services again and like others here, recommend him for anybody visiting Siem Reap.
Oct 3, 2016, 4:36 am
#104
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,018
Another positive review for Synon. I just returned and had him drive us for a day, pick up/drop off at airport. He was safe, very helpful in our touring, offering some suggestions (as stated he's a driver, not a tour guide, but does have good general insight), spoke English well, very prompt on returning emails, always had a cold water and cool towel when we returned to his Lexus (we also asked him why Siem Reap had so many RX's and he said the Chinese love them so all the drivers get them). I'd use his services again and like others here, recommend him for anybody visiting Siem Reap.
Oct 6, 2016, 2:37 am
#105
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA Plat Pro 1.4M, SPG Lifetime Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 210
We just returned from Siem Reap and Synon was our driver. He was polite, on time, knowledgable and really liked meeting new people from 'flyertalk.'
We will use him again on our next trip to Siem Reap.
We will use him again on our next trip to Siem Reap.