What & Where to buy things in Siem Reap/Angkor Wat
Tshirts- cheapest is at Angkor temple areas. Many guidebooks recommend Old Market but the price at Old Market are generally more expensive.
Guide Books- you can buy from street peddlers at Angkor temple areas or the handicapped in Pub Street.
Water- for foreigners, it is better you drink bottled water to avoid upset stomach. If you buy water, buy from the street vendors instead of from the minimart or restaurants. Nope, price from street vendors are not cheaper but these people are much poorer.
Other things you may want to consider buying: very unique wood carvings, cushion covers (I bought a set for my best friend and she loved it), gemstone. We bought a number of stuff from this store in Old Market: Ly Sukunry, No. 24, Phsar Chass, tel 012 828845/ 012-406899 (not Maxis- it is a Cambodia handphone line). The owner (husband and wife) seemed quite honest and they offer is the most reasonable prize compared to other stores- the shop is quite inside the wet market area (yes, market where people sell fish, vege, etc).
Tip: Explore the prize offered by street peddlers or stores located at temple areas. When buying something, always ask yourself: How much you are willing to pay for the item? Then either mentally or use a calculator to calculate the equivalent value in USD and quote the price. You have to bargain because items are always offered at a high prize. Of course, it is only proper that once the vendor agreed to your price, you should buy it.
I noticed some people like to critize the items in an attempt to bring down the prize or keep haggering the price- don’t do that. It is not nice – if you don’t want it, just walk away.
Have a heart- Unlike hawkers in Malaysia selling chau koay teo who can be millionaires (with big bungalows and driving Mercedes), street peddlers in Cambodia are very poor. There are so many of them offering the same things so no hidden rich there. So even if you find that you paid a high price (because you either forgot or did not bargain good enough), think of it as doing good charity. You money helped ut food on the table of a big family (Cambodia families are generally very big-lots of hungry mouths to feed).
Old Market area- Still, Old Market carries more varieties compared to the street vendors. Important tip- as you appoach the Old Market from Sivatha Street, you will see there are 2 sides of it. One consists of a complex and across the road, you see some are souvenior stores merged with a Market. Go to the one merged with the Market. The inner you go, the cheaper the price (of course you have to bargain a bit). For instance, the same cushion cover cost USD3 (after final discount) outside are sold for USD2.
Tags: angkor wat, shopping, siem reap, Travel Tips
