Thailand or Cambodia: which country is better to visit?

Located on the Indochinese Peninsula in Southeast Asia, Thailand and Cambodia are two of the most popular destinations in recent years for independent travelers in Asia. Both countries are devoutly Buddhist destinations, where the Theravada Buddhist religion has been integrated into the daily lives of the people and temples and monasteries abound. Thailand has long been a favored destinations for tourists and backpackers, and is one of the most popular destinations for expats from the west on retirement. Situated between Cambodia to the south, Myanmar to the west and northwest, and Laos to the east and northeast, this unique kingdom is one of the last true kingdoms in Asia, which still retains its ties to a Royal Family.

Cambodia

Thailand

Cambodia, to the south of Thailand, is one of the oldest civilizations on the Indochinese Peninsula, and was the center of the ancient Khmer Empire, which spread across the region into Laos, most of Thailand, and parts of Vietnam. With Thailand to the northwest, Laos to the northeast, and Vietnam to the east and southeast, Cambodia has a delightful beach coastline in the southwest that is one of the most popular in the region, sitting on the blissful Gulf of Thailand. Traveling to both countries together is a popular vacation for many people from around the world, but choosing one, if you really had to, can be quite a hard choice for most travelers.
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Thailand VS Cambodia – historical attractions

Historically, worth of a fully civilized population developing more than 4,000 years ago. In contrast, Evidence suggests that Cambodia was not inhabited until around 6,000 BC, though the development of civilized habitation and farming (specifically rice growing) occurred some 500 years before that of Thailand, suggesting that rice cultivation came to Cambodia from China long before it reached Thailand.

However, while the two countries do share a somewhat similar historical origin, there have been very varied differences in their growth over the following centuries. And when it comes to historical attractions, there are several major attractions in Thailand that almost match the majesty of Angkor in Cambodia.

Angkor Wat

Angkor Archaeological Complex in northern Cambodia is one of the most astounding historical attractions in the world, and received thousands of tourist visitors every day, exploring the huge complex of temples and palaces that was once the capital of the great Khmer Empire. Built in the 12th century, this unique complex of temples is the largest of its kind in Asia, and is filled with statues, sculptures, and friezes depicting life as it once was. When it comes to history, even the bad history of Cambodia is a popular attraction for tourists, and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh is one of the best sites of recent history in the country. Once a schoolhouse turned into political prison, victims of the Khmer Rouge were incarcerated here before being taken to the infamous Killing Fields to be slaughtered in their thousands.

Thailand does have a very varied history, and one of the most spectacular historic attractions in the country is the ancient city of Ayutthaya, whose beautiful ruins stand as a testament to the thriving trade port that once stood on this site. The giant statues of Buddha and the giant complex of temples, which is believed to have numbered more than 400 at its height, this astounding site was once the ancient capital of Siam, and is as popular in Thailand as Angkor is in Cambodia. The more recent historic sites of Thailand includes the Kwai River Bridge and the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, both of which were part of the Death Railway that was constructed using Prisoners of War in WWII. More than 20,000 prisoners were used to construct the railway and the bridge, and over 7,000 POWs, mostly British, Australian, and Dutch, as well as other Commonwealth servicemen, are laid to rest in the nearby Kanchanaburi War Cemetery.

Ayutthaya

Choosing one over the other is a hard choice, and both countries deserve a visit, if only for the ancient temple complexes and the Buddhist temples and palaces. If you are interested in the history of the Second World War and the Kwai River Bridge, of which a hit film was made in 1957, then Thailand is the obvious choice. However, for the best in gruesome museums and a sharp reminder of what mankind is capable of, then head for Cambodia and their own reminder of what should never happen again.

Thailand VS Cambodia – major cities

Bangkok is the absolute epitome of a city that has everything you could wish for, and this stunning Thai metropolis certainly lives up to its reputation for having all you can want or need. Not only is Bangkok a regional force in business and finance, it is also an international transport hub and has more recently emerged as a center for fashion, arts, and entertainment. Renowned for its many red-light districts, where just about anything goes, this is one of the debatable attractions of the city, as well as the haphazard cityscape and inadequate road network and infrastructure. While Bangkok may be renowned as one of the major tourist destinations in Asia, with its beautiful temples and palaces and the stunning nightlife, crippling traffic congestion, severe air pollution, and a high rate of unsolved crime has marred the reputation of this once-great heart of ancient Siam.

Bangkok

In Cambodia, once known as the pearl of Asia, lies the former city of Krong Chaktomuk, now known as the Cambodian capital that is Phnom Penh. The most populous city in Cambodia, Phnom Penh was named as the capital during the French colonial era of Cambodia, and has grown to become the main cultural, industrial, and economic centers of the country. Once considered to be the loveliest of all the French-built cities in Indochina, founded in 1434, the city is noted for its stunning architecture and historical attractions. A huge number of old French colonial buildings still stand along the wide tree-lined boulevards of the city, and is the most popular tourist destination in Cambodia.

Phnom-Penh

Taking a city tour in either country would be a blessing for anyone, and while Bangkok does have its attractions, Phnom Penh is once again rising to regain its status as the Pearl of the Orient, and is a much cleaner and organized city to visit. With its booming economic growth since the 1990s and an amazingly impressive skyline, a visit to Phnom Penh is well worth the trip.

Thailand VS Cambodia – coast and beaches

Cambodia has some great beaches along its short southwestern coastline, and these are a popular location for visiting tourists that are more into beach holidays and surf than temples and dusty roads. Idyllic locations such as Long Beach, Lonely Beach, Lazy Beach, Coral Beach, and Otres beach are some of the best places in Cambodia for stunning beach holidays. Beautiful turquoise waters lie offshore from these amazing beaches, lined up in a row along the short coastline. However, there is nothing in Cambodia that can compare to the stunning beaches of Thailand’s southern provinces.

Otres beach

Renowned for having some of the bet beaches in the world, Thailand is the ideal place for a beach holiday in Asia for both Asian tourists and tourists from western countries. Rated as one of the most popular places to visit in the world, Thailand in one of the few single countries where the varied climate allows for beach holidays all year round. White sands, clear waters, and the ic0nic longtail boats are all part of that characteristic Thai beach experience. While it may be hard to avoid the crowds of people at the most popular beaches, Thailand has so many other out of the way places to visit, that you can often find a beach all to yourself with the same stunning features as the popular beaches, without the crowds. If beaches are what you are all about, then southern Thailand has it all.

phuket

Thailand VS Cambodia – best time to visit

Cambodia has a standard two-season climate, with defined wet and dry seasons. The rainy monsoon season runs from May to September, with the heaviest of the rainfall coming in August and September. Dry season, from October to April, is the peak season for tourism in Cambodia, with cooler temperatures and almost no rain. While it is possible to visit all year round, the period from March to June is the hottest time of the year, with temperatures reaching as high as 35-40 degrees. And with the intense and heavy rain from July to September, there is little to do unless you are prepared for wet weather.

Thailand also has two seasons, wet and dry, but the difference in the topography of the country means that the seasons are different in the three separate areas of the country. In the north, the dry season runs from November to May, and is the coolest time of year. June to October is the rainy season, and the period from March to June is the hottest time of year. However, in the south, the climate is split between the two sides of the isthmus that links Thailand to Malaysia. On the west coast, the rains come from April to October, while on the east coast, it is from September to December. The rest of the year is dry and sunny on each side, which gives a dry season in at least one place in Thailand throughout the whole year. Which makes Thailand the better year-round place to visit in terms of weather.

Thailand VS Cambodia – local dishes

When it comes to food, both Thailand and Cambodia have a wide variety of dishes that can tease and entice your taste buds to make your mouth water all day long. However, while some have said that Cambodian cuisine is just a “version” of Thai or Vietnamese cuisines, they could not be more wrong. There are vast differences between Thai and Khmer cooking styles, ingredients, and the use of herbs and spices that separates them dramatically.

In Cambodia, rice is the staple dish for all meals, and is also used as a tasty snack, both sweet and savory, as well as an ingredient in some dishes. Traditional Cambodian cuisine usually consists of more than one dish, and has a contrast of flavors, textures, and temperatures within every meal. Dishes typically contain plenty of herbs, leaf vegetables, pickled vegetables, dipping sauces, edible aromatic flowers, and a wide range of condiments and garnishes, including the famous Kampot Pepper. Popular dishes in Cambodia include Kuyteav, Bitter Melon soup with Pork, and just about everything grilled over a barbecue.

Cambodia Snack

In contrast, Thai cuisine places a heavy emphasis on lightly prepared foods with strong aromatic flavors, intense components, and a very spicy edge to the taste. Whereas Khmer cuisine can be simple and easy to prepare, Thai cuisine rejects any form of simplicity and is all about a combination of disparate elements blended together in such a way to make one harmonious meal. The ingredients used are so varied that each dish contains a wide spectrum of flavors and textures, and no two dishes are ever alike. From the famous Pad Thai and the unsung hero of Kai jeow (wok-fried omelets) to the Khao Soy of northern Thailand and the quintessential Thai dessert, Ruam Mit, the range of different foods from across the country is as varied as the climate.

Thailand Snack

Summary

Whether you are traveling to Thailand or Cambodia, you are guaranteed to enjoy an experience that is second to none. Lying side by side on the Indochinese Peninsula, these two amazing countries are filled with history, culture, and some of the most delicious food you have ever tasted. When it comes to choosing whether to go to Thailand or Cambodia, if you really cannot make up your mind, then why not choose both, and tour around them together.