Questions regarding upcoming Cambodian trip

[jimmie50]

10 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

Re later txt, if 3 on a bike, no insurer will pay out if there is an accident

I have no intentions of getting on any motorbike with anyone other than the driver.  I refuse to be more than a single passenger and will make that very clear to Cam.  I will also remind him...probably daily...that I am old and my bones or brittle.  I would rather get to our destination unscathed and in one piece versus as quick as possible.  

[jimmie50]

On 8/23/2026 at 8:53 AM, hank75 said:

You may want to try sending Cam a small amount just to ensure you have it properly set up, and that transfers can be made to your name or his. Receiving isn’t the problem, it’s ensuring that you can transfer remotely from your bank to WU, so don’t go to a physical outlet, try and do it all online.

So, WU says they do not have brick and mortar shops in Cambodia but have partnerships with several banks.  As it happens, their main partner is the same bank that Cam uses...ACLEDA.  I set up an account online with Western Union and was able to successfully send to Cam's bank account $50 USD using my debit card.  I should be able to send him money that way if I get in a situation where the ATM does not work or I have problems using my debit card there for some reason...or run low on cash.   To be honest, I was a little hesitant to send him money this way because up until now, he has never asked for anything.  Well, I should clarify that statement...we originally met at Hotmale and I was his client, so of course he asked for and received his fee and very generous tip.  But since the relationship changed from client to boyfriend, he has never asked for anything.  I hope this experiment doesn't start something I may regret later on down the road.  But, better to find out it will work in advance instead of waiting until I arrive in Cambodia and then have problems.  I also learned on my various trips to Thailand to have a secure VPN that allows me to appear from anywhere in the USA, as some of my accounts have enhanced security features that block access to their websites and accounts from overseas.  I assume it will be the same or even more so for Cambodia.   

[ShivRoy]

On 8/20/2026 at 9:41 PM, floridarob said:

What year was that?

circa 2016 or so

[floridarob]

54 minutes ago, ShivRoy said:

circa 2016 or so

I'm sure it's still not crazy expensive, but the world has gotten more expensive.and greedy 😔

[jimmie50]

Been busy trying to make sure I have all of the required documents that I will need on arrival in Cambodia to apply for the Retirement Visa.  I plan to apply online in advance for the 30-Day Ordinary E-Class Visa.  This is different from the routine tourist visa most people get on arrival.  Both in the books I have read and the online expat groups, this has been stressed to be sure it is the ‘Ordinary’ E-class…not the tourist VOA.  I had passport photos done yesterday, including a digital file.  The digital photo I need to submit online with the E-Visa application.  The hard copies will need to be sent with the application and documents to the Immigration Office in Phnom Penh.  I also have letters from Social Security and the pension board in California verifying that I am, in fact, fully retired and what my monthly income is.  I obtained a criminal background check from the local police department.  The only document I am lacking is the Health Certificate, which I can obtain in Siem Reap once I have arrived there.  I plan on using a local visa agency and they will make the arrangements for the Health Certificate.  If any of the documents need to be translated into Khmer, the agency will also take care of that for me.  In total I will probably spend around $600.  The initial fee for the 30-Day Ordinary E-Class Visa is $30 and can actually be paid online via credit card.  The fee to convert the visa into an ER retirement extension will run around $300.  The visa agency in Siem Reap will charge anywhere from $100-200, depending on what else they need to do in the way of documentation.  I am assuming this will all need to be paid in cash, so will carry enough large bills to handle these expenses.  Somewhat nervous about handing over my passport to the visa agency to send to Phnom Penh, but I am told this is a fairly routine procedure.  Will have a photo copy of the passport to keep with me as well as digital and hard copies of everything.

If anyone has been through this before and is aware of anything I may be missing, please let me know.  Cam is not much help with this stuff as he does not really know how it works.  He will only be helpful once I am there and need assistance with communication.

[jimmie50]

Well, the short break has ended and Cam is back working on the fence project.  On Monday they cleared the area around the back of the property where the back wall will go.  Tuesday they started digging for the footer.  Cam has placed the order for more supplies.  They have plenty of brick to complete the entire project, but he needed to order more steel rods, concrete, sand and gravel.  He also had to order the netting that will go above the brick portion of the fence.  He calls it netting…I refer to it as wire mesh.  To be honest, until they actually have it, start to install, and then he sends me photos I really am not sure what it is.  They plan to build some sort of gate for the back wall to allow for access from that side.  I assume it will be wood, but he hasn’t said other than they plan to make it…not order it.

I finally discovered why he always refers to money in USD and Baht…never Riel.  During our video chat yesterday he was telling me they will probably spend an additional $500 to finish the fence project.  He then was talking about the new house.  He said they would probably hire two or three local people to help when they start construction on the house as it will be too much work for just the three of them (Cam, his father, and his brother).  Other family members will be able to help from time to time, but they have families and jobs.  He mentioned they would pay them daily and would not need them every day.  He mentioned a dollar amount they planned to pay and I asked him if that was in Riel.  He laughed and said he never uses Riel when talking to me about money because I don’t know anything about its value or exchange rate.  He always uses USD or Baht so I will understand.  LOL.  So it has been for my benefit.  Such a sweetheart!   

[bkkmfj2648]

10 hours ago, jimmie50 said:

Been busy trying to make sure I have all of the required documents that I will need on arrival in Cambodia to apply for the Retirement Visa. 

Thanks for documenting this process for us.

This is one area that I wish our forum had more information about = what is required in country X to retire in and how was forum member's said experience.

I find it very useful instead of trying to be a pioneer and to go it alone.

Yes, there are tons of Youtube videos out there about this topic for many countries - but it is very rare to find this information from a gay retiree perspective with feet on the ground experience.

That is why I painstakenly documented my "trying to live as an elderly gay retiree in country X" experience last year in the Vietnam and Philippines sub-forums last year.

[jimmie50]

Interesting and humorous side note.  You may recall I mentioned when Cam refers to his sisters he uses numbers rather than names to make it easier for me to know which one he is talking about.  During our video chat this morning, he was telling me that sister number 2 was there visiting with the family and they would spend the night.  Husband of sister #2 had come to help with the fence project.  So, tonight there will be family dinner time, karaoke, and most likely the consumption of many beers.  lol.  The humorous side note…later in the conversation he referred to his brother (first-born) as sibling #1 and himself as sibling #5.  Then he informed me his mother refers to me as #6.  lol.  I guess that means I am considered part of the family?!?   Not quite sure how to take that.

[floridarob]

19 hours ago, bkkmfj2648 said:

an elderly gay retiree

OMG, after meeting @Olddaddy you've suddenly aged to elderly level 😲😝 his exaggerations are contagious 😉

[vinapu]

15 hours ago, jimmie50 said:

Then he informed me his mother refers to me as #6.  lol.  I guess that means I am considered part of the family?!?   Not quite sure how to take that.

pick up few thousands more from ATM. I'm not talking riels

[hank75]

On 8/25/2026 at 1:42 AM, jimmie50 said:

I should be able to send him money that way if I get in a situation where the ATM does not work or I have problems using my debit card there for some reason...or run low on cash.

Glad that it’s a helpful back up 

On 8/25/2026 at 1:42 AM, jimmie50 said:

To be honest, I was a little hesitant to send him money this way because up until now, he has never asked for anything.

You and Cam seem to have a solid relationship and he’s respectful of your money so I wouldn’t worry unnecessarily. Just don’t make it a habit so it stays in “emergency-only” territory. Also perhaps don’t mention it around his family. When I’ve sent WU to guys, I never send to their bank accounts (so they don’t know it’s a possibility) and always only cash pick up so they need to expend some energy going to the counter and doing the pick up. Instead of sitting around on their asses waiting for the magical money fairy. I’ve only broken this rule once for a guy I had a longstanding arrangement with who lived somewhere so rural that he couldn’t easily get to a WU counter. 

Don’t forget once you’re physically in Cambodia you can send money to yourself. It doesn’t need to be through Cam. 

[hank75]

18 hours ago, jimmie50 said:

Then he informed me his mother refers to me as #6.  lol.  I guess that means I am considered part of the family?!?   Not quite sure how to take that.

Take this with a grain of salt but the cynic in me is shouting that this is lulling you into an exaggerated sense of kinship and thus familial obligation. I am sure Cam’s family will be lovely, make you feel very welcome, and - seeing how respectful Cam is of you - follow his lead.

At the same time I have heard too many stories of farang men being lured too quickly into marriages with Isaan bargirls because they were introduced to the families and children early on via video calls, then visits, called “son in law” or “stepfather” and made to feel a real sense of camaraderie and belonging. Before they knew it, they were hog-tied, offering sinsot and building houses in the village. 

You don’t need to arrive with a sceptical attitude….enjoy your adventure to the fullest. Let us be the cynics for you as your story progresses.

[Blah]

On 8/24/2026 at 4:24 PM, Keithambrose said:

I wouldn't count on that. Insurers will always pull cover if the Bike or driver is unlicensed, or other infractions. You need to be realistic  about an insurer,  especially  a Western insurer,  dealing with Cambodia. 

or the Bike helmet doesn't regulatory standards

[spoon]

Thank you @jimmie50 for regularly updating us about your love story. Your thread is pretty much my only reason that I keep checking cambodia forum lol. 

I wouldnt worry too much about the future that you forget to enjoy the present. While its good to know and be prepared, worrying too much will not be healthy for your relationship and trust is something that can make or break a relationship. Anyway, who am i to give you any relationship advise when im none the wiser. The closest im in one was with my regular guy who is now marrying a girl lol. And yes, he did showed me to his mom before too but as a friend.

[emiel1981]

On 8/22/2026 at 2:52 PM, jimmie50 said:

When I travel to Thailand, I always exchange a small amount of USD to Baht before the trip and then take new, large bills to exchange once in Bangkok at Xone or Superrich.  

I often read about forum members taking cash USD to Thailand and exchanging it for Baht there. Is it a US thing? For me, as a European (even more specifically: a Dutch person), financially it doesn't make much difference whether I exchange money in Thailand or withdraw it directly from the local ATM with my debit card. The transaction fees aren't that high, as long as you always choose the "without conversion" option (I think that's what it's called) on the ATM and let the bank calculate with the current rate instead of the rate fixed by the ATM. Why do you choose to bring actual cash from your own country?

[emiel1981]

On 8/27/2026 at 6:04 AM, bkkmfj2648 said:

This is one area that I wish our forum had more information about = what is required in country X to retire in and how was forum member's said experience.

That is why I am now constantly reading along with your adventures and experiences. In many, many years, when I finally reach retirement age (hahaha), I will hopefully know more about the opportunities and pitfalls.

[10tazione]

12 minutes ago, emiel1981 said:

For me, as a European (even more specifically: a Dutch person), financially it doesn't make much difference whether I exchange money in Thailand or withdraw it directly from the local ATM with my debit card.

When I withdraw 30.000 Baht in Thailand with my Debit card, it costs me about 5% more than the bank interchange rate would suggest (ATM fee, bad exchange rate, fee of my bank). When I go X-One, it is about 0.6 to 0.7 %, talking about Euro also.

[emiel1981]

2 minutes ago, 10tazione said:

When I withdraw 30.000 Baht in Thailand with my Debit card, it costs me about 5% more than the bank interchange rate would suggest (ATM fee, bad exchange rate, fee of my bank). When I go X-One, it is about 0.6 to 0.7 %, talking about Euro also.

Okay. I tested it out once. I withdrew a certain amount in baht from the ATM and exchanged same amount in baht from euro at the exchange booth. And the difference was really only a few euros. And then I thought: for those few euros, I'm not going to make things difficult for myself. But the bank I have (and Dutch banks in general) are known for having good conditions, rates, and fees for withdrawing money abroad. Maybe because the Dutch are a very travel-loving people who travel all over the world. We are a small country, but in the most remote places I go, I always run into Dutch people... haha

[10tazione]

The next question is then, how much do you pay for your bank account and/or for your debit card. 

[emiel1981]

13 minutes ago, 10tazione said:

The next question is then, how much do you pay for your bank account and/or for your debit card. 

6 or 7 euro's per month for the account, one debit card and one credit card. It's a package deal.

[10tazione]

14 minutes ago, emiel1981 said:

6 or 7 euro's per month for the account, one debit card and one credit card. It's a package deal.

Ok, my account and debit card and credit card are for free, so I cant probably expect the best conditions for the card usage.

[Keithambrose]

23 minutes ago, 10tazione said:

Ok, my account and debit card and credit card are for free, so I cant probably expect the best conditions for the card usage.

My Bank account  is free. I have a card issued by Currensea, that guarantees the same exchange rate as the Bank rate, or near enough. It's a Mastercard,  but acts as a Debit card, so debits my Bank Account directly.  I've found it very good for using in an ATM. You still have the ATM charge, of course. I'm sure there are many such cards, and I find it much easier than waiting at X One.

[zoomomancs]

3 hours ago, emiel1981 said:

I often read about forum members taking cash USD to Thailand and exchanging it for Baht there. Is it a US thing? For me, as a European (even more specifically: a Dutch person), financially it doesn't make much difference whether I exchange money in Thailand or withdraw it directly from the local ATM with my debit card. The transaction fees aren't that high, as long as you always choose the "without conversion" option (I think that's what it's called) on the ATM and let the bank calculate with the current rate instead of the rate fixed by the ATM. Why do you choose to bring actual cash from your own country?

In theory we are required to enter Thailand with at least the equivalent of 20,000 baht. I've never been asked to show it in some 55 visits but I always carry it in UK pounds and change it at X1 on Surawong.

[vinapu]

5 hours ago, emiel1981 said:

I often read about forum members taking cash USD to Thailand and exchanging it for Baht there. Is it a US thing?

....

The transaction fees aren't that high, as long as you always choose the "without conversion" option (I think that's what it's called) on the ATM and let the bank calculate with the current rate instead of the rate fixed by the ATM. Why do you choose to bring actual cash from your own country?

I'm neither US nor Euro zone person and still prefer to carry my own country money and exchange that cash at , usually XOne,  or other place offering similar rate. 

Saving obtained that way are neither negligible nor substantial, noticeable enough  though so I stick to that way of financing my trip .

Actually for fun I did calculation  for my last trip  few weeks ago. Savings obtained by carrying cash as opposite to withdrawing the same amount from ATM  amounted to 4200 baht  which is about 260 per trip day or  using different logic , enough to pay tip for very satisfying LT off.

It is for each of us to assess  best course of action as it may depend on many factors  - exchange rate, fees we pay to Thai  bank  to use ATM, fees we pay to our bank at home and even daily withdrawal limit on the ATM or set on your bank account at home.

What is interesting I can buy baht at home and rate is  consistently almost the same like I'd be exchanging money in the airport in one of those booths BEFORE  going down to train station i.e.  not the best bust still digestible if need arises.

 

For Cambodia I purchase USD at home as opposite of withdrawing USD from ATM there. Savings are minor but I do it for piece of mind . I know somebody whose card was eaten by machine and once I got 100 $ bill which I had trouble exchanging  because of some minor writing on it's face  

[khaolakguy]

A topic that seems close to all our hearts, and sometimes small amounts are kept directly over our hearts in breast pocket. 

 I can’t be alone in finding that I usually spend more in baht than I am prepared to carry in home country currency, although maybe that’s because my trips are less frequent but longer.

 I would also put into the comparisons the cost of transferring home currency into a Thai bank account and withdrawing that via ATMs. That should be the cheapest although local bank exchange rate may screw that.

 Incidentally in reference to waiting at X One in Surawong, I have never had to wait more than five minutes.