The Phnom Penh Visitors Guide 62nd

See &Do

War & Khmer Rouge

There are one or two ranges past the airport, but most tourists go to the range near the ‘Killing Fields’ in order to combine the two destinations in one tuktuk trip, though not without some irony.

Khmer style boxing - Kbach Kun Boran Khmer Pradal Serey or ‘Kun Khmer’ - is similar to the world famous Muay Thai boxing, but is uniquely Cambodian and probably long predates Muay Thai. Sundays you will often find local coffee shops packed and people clustered around the TVs watching Khmer boxing. Regularly scheduled bouts are held at several nearby TV station areas, usually Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with match sets scheduled at 2:00PM and 4:00PM. Admission is free and if you go with a tuk-tuk he will often join you to show you around. Make arrangements through your guesthouse, tour operator or tuk-tuk driver. Some of the horrific remnants of the Khmer Rouge regime can be seen at the Choeung Ek Memorial (the 'Killing Fields') and the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum. Though the Khmer Rouge were driven from power in 1979, they retreated to the mountains and border areas, persisting until their final defeat and dissolution in 1998. Surviving KR leaders are only now facing the court. Kaing Guek Eav, a.k.a 'Duch', director of the infamous S-21 prison was found guilty in 2010. Noun Chea and Khieu Samphan were convicted in 2014. Pol Pot died in 1998, never having faced justice. Controversial and definitely not for everybody, but gun ranges still operate on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, offering tourists the opportunity to shoot all manner of military small arm - pistols, rifles, sub machine guns, machine guns, grenades, grenade launchers and RPGs, but it is not for the faint of wallet. A single 30-shot clip for an AK-47 begins at $40-$60 and rockets for an RPG are upwards of $250. Boxing - Kun Khmer Shooting Range From April 17, 1975 until January 7, 1979, the brutal, ultra-Communist Khmer Rouge regime(i.e the Red Khmer) controlled the whole of Cambodia, then known as "Democratic Kampuchea." The Khmer Rouge was headed by Saloth Sar, nom de guerre Pol Pot. During their short reign between one and two and half million Cambodians perished, some killed outright, others dying from disease, malnutrition and mistreatment.

Brewery Tours

Kingdom Breweries Kingdom Breweries, brewers of Kingdom Pilsner and Dark Lager, offers regular guided tours of their brewery. For a tour drop by the brewery Monday-Friday 1:00PM-5:00PM, Saturday 2:00PM-5:00PM. Admission $7.00. After the tour there is the traditional stop at the brewery bar, the Taproom, to sample the product. #1748 National Route #5, Russei Keo district Tel: 023-430180-2 For a more intimate experience of Phnom Penh consider touring the city center by cyclo or even foot. The city center within a kilometer of the river is the oldest part of town, densely populated and abuzz with activity. The tour path marked on the Sights Map (next ) is designed to take in some the highlights and offer a look at Phnom Penh off the beaten path, not the prettiest (or the cleanest) streets, but the living city - busy street life, local shops and cafés, typical Phnom Penh architecture, colorful pagodas and pungent traditional markets. As you tour, take time to explore the pagodas and markets and stop for a coffee or a snack at a local cafe. Touring by cyclo is the easier than foot and even a romantic means of seeing the city. Walking the tour provides a more intimate, interactive experience but can also be a bit daunting. People are friendly and security is good (during the day) but the chaotic traffic and clogged sidewalks can be challenging and at times a bit frustrating, so not only bring your camera but a sense of adventure. Tips: When walking, keep an eye on traffic (it does not yield to pedestrians,) walk on the shady side of the street and, for sake of security, carry your bag/camera on the inside shoulder away from the street. If you tire you can pick up a motodup or tuktuk anywhere along the route. Walking

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