Anyone recently in Cambodia ?

[ernesto01]

I am planning again to pass by PP and eventually Siem Riap on my July/August trip. Has anyone been recently there and can give an actual report about lb-scene ?
Thanks
Ernesto

[rxpharm]

Ernesto, bumblebee was in PP January and this is his report: Cambodia for two weeks

[JustSumGai]

I have to thank Ernesto and those who venture into Cambodia with an eye towards ladyboys. I think there must be those there that feel such an inclination as is so common in Thailand. In a changing country, it may just be a situation that can flourish a bit. Personally I have little interest in temples. WAY overdone. If that's all Cambodia bases it's future on, stick a fork in it. It's dissappointing to me that there seems to be NO support for ladyboys there. SR had one bar and it closed way too fast. Someone mentioned the owner has a beauty shop setup somewhere near by. I wish someone could find this and have a chat with Sasa about all this. I intend to get to SR and Battambang in a year. I'll be doing as much research as is possible on the net, but it's like a giant void in general. Blogs started and abandoned. MOST info concerns temples. I can't believe that NO one wants to do anything but hit Ankhor Wat and spend a few nights raising hell in some has been bars in PP. From what I can tell PP is undergoing considerable change leading it in the direction of Bangkok with upscale malls and the like. They're gonna jump from ricefields to Siam Paragon?? Seems to be great potential in the middle. Keep up the good work Ernesto.

[cambodge]

Phnom Penh's nightlife is a little underrated I think...which is just how guys in the know like it.
For LB action Cambodia is light years behind Thailand however diamonds in the rough can be found and sometimes the search is half the fun.
I seriously love Khmer gg's.

[natabroad65]

Hi Ernesto

There's not much point in headcounting LBs in the 136 bars for you now, because it'll be all change come July. Remind me nearer the time.

However, there are still a couple in Candy Bar and Updown including the famous Bobo who's been a prize pain in the arse recently since she wised up to the fact that she ain't the youngest or prettiest LB on the block anymore.

Since a change of ownership (American to Khmer) Sizzlers is no longer a LB friendly zone.  

Actually, the previous owners from Sizzlers took a huge gamble that paid out. They got the venue looking fantastic, paid TWICE what any other bar in town was paying for dancers and girls thereby tagging the best of the best. They put on a risque floor show that would have got them closed down eventually and they filled the place to the rafters with punters. Obviously this wouldn't have lasted and the business model was unsustainable, but it lasted long enough for them to sell the place at a huge profit - which was always the aim. The new Khmer owner lowered wages, sacked the LBs and now tumbleweed blows through his bar.      

Another bar called Mermaid (St 108) changed hands recently and the opposite happened. All the gg were fired and LBs were hired instead. It's walking distance from Wat Phnom and I think the Irish owner recruited from there directly. Mermaid is closed for Khmer New Year this week but after that I'll drop by and see what's going on. I did pass by briefly just after he'd made the change and the LBs present were a fairly motley crew of bargain bucket types. Maybe he's found some better ones since.

Actually, the PP bar scene is really hurting this year with takings down by 25 - 50% on last year. Tourism is well down and the response from bar owners speaks volumes about Western vs Asian mentalities. Many of the Western bars have started having happy hours, cheap drinks promotions, live music nights etc. As for the Khmers - they've put up prices for as one told me, ''to make up for the money I'm losing.'' Idiots. Oh, and they've started bill padding and short changing too, so be careful.  

Apart from the bars, there's always the showgirls at Classic cabaret club. I posted pix of some of the LBs there in a previous thread.

[swaraj]

Ernesto, You will find it no better or worse than your previous, maybe a few more streetwalkers. Like natabroad65 i here the Wat Phnom girls, (2$ for a blow job within the grounds), are now 'émployed' in the 'Mermaid', you'll find it a couple of blocks from the riverfront on the street that runs by the night market.
I know you enjoy travelling and if you are coming through to Thailand via Ko Kong/Trat i would recomend Kampot as a place to check out, no l/bs but a really beautifull quiet spot to spend a couple of days, the outlying countryside is stunning, as is the region around Ko Kong. Happy Travels.


JustSumGai, im not really sure what you're after mate, info on Batters - S.R. ?, or expecting bars to stay open just for you

[natabroad65]

Ernesto

Here's Bobo these days. She's still at Updown.



And here is Kla who used to work at Sizzler and is now at Candy Bar.



And finally, here is Kla's knob.

[Guest]

Nice photos natabroad65, bring back good memories of January, cheers

[natabroad65]

Cheers Burenboy.

Btw, I forgot to mention that after Khmer NY, Mermaid Bar are having a 'Twister Night.' Yes, that's right - instead of playing pool with the LBs, you'll get to play Twister with them instead. The mind boggles.

[ernesto01]

Natabroad & Swaraj
thanks a lot for your information, I am actually not so sure now if I should take up PP in my travel plans.
I have nice memories of Siem Riap from my last trip, there were a few real young cuties, but maybe they are gone now.
I am still undecided where to go but roughly it looks like starting in Kunming (China) and going down the Mekong to Thailand and from there somehow via Laos to Cambodia and later back to LOS.Time schedule :July 17 to August 15. Anyway the second half of my trip should be Thailand
If htere are major changes happening in Cambodia Natabroad please let me know.
Thanks and
Ernesto

[BlueBallz]

Naked twister?? Now theres a thought!

[bigmick22]

I believe the Thai army made a brief foray into Cambo last month

[EyeMahk]

Here is another picture of Bobo from a couple of months back. I ended up going with the other LB that works ar Updown.

[PigDogg]

I've never been to PP, but perhaps some ladyboys will be involved with Pride Day.

We are very thrilled to announce that Cambodia€™s GLBT community will have reason to come out and celebrate at Phnom Penh Pride 2009! There will be a weekend of various events all over Phnom Penh from the 15th to 17th May 2009, coinciding with International Day Against Homophobia 2009. We're very excited to announce that Pontoon will be hosting the Official Pride Party on Saturday the 16th. There's going to be a fabulous cabaret show, a Mr. and Ms. Gay Cambodia Pageant and lots of dancing!

Most of all we need lots of gorgeous gays, lady loving lesbians, beautiful bisexuals, tremendous transgendered types and happy heteros (and all in between and anyone who is proud!) to come out on the 16th May and help us make this Phnom Penh Pride, the best ever.

[PigDogg]

Pontoon Night club in Phnom Penh, Sisowat Quay (The Riverside) opposite street 108. Évery Thursday is the gay night 'The Gloryhole':
- Outrageous Cabaret and hugely funny live show on every week at 11pm.
- International DJs including Vagina Dentata, DJ Oz and Dockyard Doris spin upbeat House and International sounds that you won't find anywhere else in Phnom penh.
- Doors open at 9pm $1 Drink promos include: $1 Asahi Beer $1 Vodka+mixer $1 Gin+mixer