NEWS & BLOGS

Iida-san, who has worked at ABA Bank’s Japan Desk in Cambodia for six years, looks at what everyday scenery reveals about change. Since October 2026, prize promotions on alcohol and sugary drinks, including the familiar pull-tab prizes, have been banned, and roadside beer billboards are giving way to bottled water. Also inside: a Bon Odori festival that drew about 2,000 visitors.

Iida-san, who has worked at ABA Bank's Japan Desk in Cambodia for six years, explains how everyday shopping there has changed. The old route of forwarding Thai orders overland has faded, and Taobao now delivers straight to Cambodian homes, cheaply and with real-time tracking. One recent order arrived in just eight days, with a motorbike rider handling the last mile by chat. Also inside: a Hanoi trip scrapped over Water Festival airfares, and a survey showing 60.6% of young Ca

Six years ago, golf and badminton were the go-to weekend sports in Phnom Penh. Today, it's Pilates and pickleball. A six-year resident shares where studios and courts are popping up, what they cost, how "walk-in" sessions work, and how a casual hobby turned into an international pickleball tournament with players from over 20 countries—all part of Cambodia's ever-expanding list of weekend options.

In Vol.3 of “Cambodia Today,” Asami Iida answers the most common questions about life in Cambodia. From the festive energy of Khmer New Year to the realities of safety, the shift from USD to Riel, and the rising cost of living under a weak yen, get practical insights on what it’s truly like to live and work in this evolving nation.

In Vol.2 of “Cambodia Today,” Asami Iida shares the charming, everyday scenes of Phnom Penh. From vibrant early morning food stalls and the rapid rise of convenience stores to peaceful weekend evenings near the Royal Palace, discover a side of Cambodia beyond the temples—defined by its energy, youth, and heartwarming everyday kindness.