It appears that quite a few FTers may be coming to Phnom Penh, having snagged some extremely cheap fares ex-LAX on CI. (That story can be followed here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=721775.)

Riot_Nrrrd and ErthCrclr have suggested a get-together, and as the resident FTer here in PNH, I'm happy to try and organize dinner/drinks -- provided that everyone's timing, critical mass and interest all work out.

If anyone's interested in getting together for dinner/drinks (perhaps preceded by a sunset boat cruise on the river?), please reply to this thread and list the dates that you plan to be in Phnom Penh. The fare rules required that outbound travel take place between Sept 5 and Nov 4, so I think we're looking at the period of September to early November.

- Michael

I'll be there around the 20th or so of October. My plans aren't firm yet, so I'm not sure if I'll be going to BKK or DPS.

Thanks, Michael.
10/26-11/2 for me, to be split between PNH and SR.

i will there about 19 oct and maybe 20, then off to bkk and then to full moon party on the 26

I'll be there oct 12-15 and possibly sometime between the 20th-26, depending on when I change my return date for.

I will be in there b/t October 20-23. I'm staying put in PNH for those days. Schedule flexible.

Regards

Adam

I will be there 10/16 to 10/30, however, only in the country for five/ six days between PNH and SR so not sure of actual dates yet.

Hi All,

I am leaving LAX on Oct 1st (arriving Oct 2), and returning Oct 9th. Haven't made all plans when there yet, but going to Ankor Wat for a couple days.

A Friend from YVR is going who is not a FT, but he'll attend a DO, he drinks as much as me!

Would love a DO!!! (In Y thought you don't want to talk to me upon arrival)

Hi Michael..

First, thanks for all your help on this thread....

I am flying into Cambodia on September 8. Preliminarily, my plans are to head directly to Bali, and then stoping briefly in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur on my way back to Phnom Penh. Right now, I am anticipating only transiting through Phnom Penh.

I was thinking of:
1. Getting new business shirts tailored in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, and
2. Seeing an optometrist, and updating my reading glasses.

Can either of these be done (inexpensively and well) in Phnom Penh? If so, I may change my plans.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts

I'll be overnigting in PNH on October 26th. I also went a little long on Priority Club points so if anyone wants a night at the Intercontinental in PNH let me know... I'll trade the requisite 5000 PC points for anything of value...

Both can be done, more cheaply but probably not as well as in SIN or KUL.

Tailoring business shirts: there are plenty of tailors here in PNH. Some are OK - I've had suits made (the going rate seems to be around $150-180 including fabric) and they are fine if not fantastic; they're also cheaper than the equivalent would be in BKK and, I assume, SIN/KUL. However, there is also much more of a language barrier - some tailors do not speak much English - and the selection of available fabrics is generally not as good. The work also tends to take longer - they're not used to the tourist trade ("I'm here for 24 hours and want 5 shirts and 2 suits delivered to my hotel by 3 pm tomorrow..."). That said, I've always been wary of 24-hour suits.

Eyeglasses: there are a number of shops in PNH that will test your eyes and produce glasses at a cost lower than in the US or Europe. Again, quality varies; costs can be as low as $40 a pair, but those will be pretty basic frames that may not last. The more you pay, the better the quality. Again, I find the value for money to be OK but not the best in Asia (which, for glasses, is Beijing IMO). Eyeglasses will probably have a fast turnaround (1 day or so).

I hope this helps.

- Michael

I usually go to BKK to get my shirts done, but with the baht being so strong, plus the costs to go from PNH, I'd like to check into getting it done in PNH. If you have any recommendations for a good quality, reasonable price, I'd appreciate it.

I got one of the CI fares, so I'll be coming over in late October. I'm currently sorting out my itinerary.
I think I'll have a 'spare' day before I leave. I can either spend it in Siem Reap or Phnom Penh. Any recommendations?

As I've already posted elsewhere, there's quite a bit that one can do in Phnom Penh. Maybe not enough to spend a week, but certainly PNH is worth a day or two at least.

- Michael

PS Everyone: As your travel dates firm up, please update your posts on this thread, so that we can figure out the best date for the get-together. Thanks!

Yuel, as in the ones on Koh Pha-ngan?

Crap ... I am leaving on the 26th but don't arrive in PNH until the morning of the 27th (returning Nov. 3rd) ... looks like I will miss the FMG by a day