New entry fee

The new $5 entrance ticket for Preah Khan

I realise this information will be useful to a mere handful of adventurous travellers but be prepared to pay an official entry fee of $5 next time you go to the remote temple of Preah Khan of Kompong Svay (also known as Prasat Bakan). Instead of a few thousand riel to the policeman who was guaranteed to appear at some stage during your visit, he'll be on the main gate now, will give you a ticket (see above) in exchange for your five dollars. It's the same fee for Beng Mealea and Banteay Chhmar whilst Koh Ker will cost you a whopping $10. Preah Khan is still the 'hardest to get to' of the main Angkorean temple sites around the country and remains off-limits during the rainy season. There's no accommodation anywhere close by except in a villager's house in the village of Ta Seng. For a taste of the adventure that is Preah Khan, read about my trip there in January 2003 here.

The more popular Beng Mealea also costs $5 to get in