GAY CAMBODIA

Homosexuality is legal in Cambodia and Cambodian society is very tolerant of same sex relations, though those are not always defined as homosexuality. The former king Norodom Sihanouk was an enthusiastic supporter of equal rights for same sex partners and even promoted that gay marriage be officially recognized. However, due to his status as a constitutional monarch he lacked the executive powers to do so and no same sex marriage laws have yet been enacted at present. Despite this his views probably encouraged a more open attitude towards homosexuality, especially among the younger generation. Though there is usually little consideration over ones sexuality or over how people are related, it is not considered decent to openly display affectionate behavior in public, gay or otherwise. Whilst most Cambodian larger cities will have at least some gay-friendly places to go to, the gay scene itself is insignificant and the few gay places that do exist usually cater for a mixed crowd and are often owned by foreign residents. The best way to meet some lovely Khmer gay men is probably just by hanging around on the street.

Khmer boys at one of the countries many ancient temples.

Khmer boys, Angkor Wat (Cambodia)

SIEM REAP

Siem Reap is the gateway to Cambodia's Angkor Wat. It is situated North of the Tonle Sap Lake and is made up of a cluster of small villages along the Siem Reap River. This small town has a population of around 85,000. In its bustling Old Market area are some fine pubs and restaurants and a few gay-owned enterprises.

 

Linga Bar
Pub Street Alley, Old Market area.

Foreign-owned gay bar and restaurant, also serving cocktails and original tapas. It has a bar and lounge area. Cozy atmosphere and friendly staff in traditional Khmer outfit.

 

Linga Bar, Siem Reap (Cambodia)

A cocktail waiter at the Linga Bar in Siem Reap.

Figo
Sivatha Boulevard, Old Market area.

Foreign-owned gay bar with annex internet cafe and travel services. It also has a restaurant. Friendly hosts.

 

BATTAMBANG

Battambang is Cambodia's second largest city with a population of just 140,000. It is situated on the Sangker River, just Southwest of the Tonle Sap Lake. It is a low-rise town with a mixture of French colonial and traditional Cambodian architecture. There are no gay venues but in the evening many young people gather on the streets along the river and sometimes one might come across some gay guys cruising there.

A friendly temple boy in Battambang.

temple boy, Battambang (Cambodia)

Victory
East bank of the Sangker River, near the Ta Dambong statue.

A large night club with a big stage and local Khmer disco music. It attracts a happy crowd of mainly young locals who often dance in the rather traditional romvong style which is fun to watch. It's a good place to meet new friends or to be stared at by the locals.

PHNOM PENH

Phnom Penh is Cambodia's capital city with a population of around 1.2 million. It is situated at the confluence of the Mekong, Tonle Sap and Tonle Bassac rivers, in the southeast of the country. Once the pearl of French Indochina the city still lives on a legacy of old French colonial architecture and ancient Khmer traditions.

stone carver, up-country (Cambodia)

A young stone carver.

Blue Chili
Street 178, next to the National Museum.

A charming gay-owned pub with handsome staff, a DJ, a lounge bar and an intimate Blue Room. It is mainly frequented by expats. The owner is Thai.

 

Heart of Darkness
26 Street 51 Pasteur.

Gay-owned but mixed disco club. Popular with both local and foreign gays and very crowded on weekends.