Funny and Quirky Facts About Cambodia That Will Make You Smile

Cambodia, the Land of Temples, is famous for the majestic Angkor Wat, delicious Amok curry, and the ever-smiling locals. But did you know Cambodia is also full of quirky, funny, and unexpected facts? From crazy traffic habits to unique traditions, here are some funny facts about Cambodia that will surprise and entertain you!

1. The Cambodian New Year Involves a Giant Water Fight!

Think Songkran (Thailand’s water festival) is fun? Cambodia does it too! During Khmer New Year (Chaul Chnam Thmey), people don’t just celebrate with food and music—they also splash water on each other!

🚿 Water buckets? Check.

💦 Water guns? Check.

🚗 Even people on motorbikes get soaked!

If you visit Cambodia in April, be prepared to get wet—whether you like it or not! 😂

2. Cambodian Traffic is a Real-Life Video Game

There are traffic lights in Cambodia, but do people actually follow them? Not really! Driving in Cambodia is like playing a real-life game of Frogger:

🚦 Red light? Maybe stop, maybe not.

🏍️ Motorbikes going the wrong way? Normal.

🚲 Bicycles, tuk-tuks, and cars all squeezed together? Everyday life.

The best part? Cows and chickens sometimes join the traffic too! 🐄🐓

3. They Use Ice in Their Beer!

In Cambodia, drinking beer with ice is totally normal! 🍺❄️

If you ask for a beer, expect a glass filled with ice cubes before they pour the beer in. Cambodians say it keeps the beer cold and refreshing in the tropical heat.

So if you visit, don’t freak out when your beer comes with floating ice cubes—it’s part of the experience! 😂

4. Cambodians Believe in “Lucky Birthdays”

In Cambodia, birthdays aren’t a big deal—in fact, many older Cambodians don’t even know their exact birth date! 🎂❌

Instead of celebrating every year, some Cambodians choose one “lucky” day in their life to celebrate their birthday.

So if you meet an elderly Cambodian and ask, "When is your birthday?" be ready for a funny answer like:

"Oh, I don’t know… maybe sometime in the rainy season?" 🌧️😂

5. Tuk-Tuk Drivers Will Offer You Everything!

In Cambodia, tuk-tuk drivers aren’t just taxi drivers—they are also tour guides, travel agents, and comedians! 🚖

If you walk down the street, you’ll hear tuk-tuk drivers shout funny things like:

👳‍♂️ "Tuk-tuk, sir? Lady?"

🛺 "Angkor Wat tour? You want?"

🍃 "Want to try Cambodian ‘happy’ pizza?" (Hint: It’s a special kind of pizza 🍕😂)

Tuk-tuk drivers are friendly, funny, and always hustling—so be ready for some creative sales pitches!

6. They Have a Love-Hate Relationship With Durian

Cambodians love durian (the world’s stinkiest fruit), but they’re also scared of it!

🥭 Some people believe eating too much durian can make your body overheat and cause nosebleeds!

🚫 Many hotels ban durian because of its strong smell (it smells like sweaty socks!).

🤮 Some Cambodians joke that durian smells bad but tastes amazing!

If you visit Cambodia, dare to try durian—but don’t eat too much! 😂

7. Cows Have the Right of Way (Even on Highways!)

In Cambodia, cows are VIPs on the road. If a cow walks onto the street, all cars must stop and wait. 🚗🐄

Even in busy cities like Phnom Penh, cows casually stroll across roads as if they own the place. Some Cambodians joke that cows are better at ignoring traffic laws than people!

So if you ever drive in Cambodia, watch out for the “bosses of the road” (a.k.a. cows)! 😂

8. Eating Spiders is Totally Normal!

Cambodians don’t just eat fried crickets or grasshoppers—they also eat fried tarantulas! 🕷️🔥

These crispy, deep-fried spiders are a popular snack, especially in the town of Skuon (also called “Spiderville”).

Locals say they taste like crunchy fried chicken, but tourists usually react with:

😱 "AHHH! A SPIDER!"

🤢 "Wait… I have to EAT it?!"

Would you be brave enough to try one? 🤭

9. The "National Sport" is… Hitting a Shuttlecock With Your Feet?!

Forget football—Cambodians love a game called “Sey”, where players kick a shuttlecock (like a feathered badminton ball) with their feet! 🏸👣

You’ll see people playing Sey everywhere, from villages to city parks. Some players are so skilled that they can do backflips while kicking the shuttlecock!

It’s badminton + football + martial arts, all in one.

Would you like to try the ultimate Cambodian foot game? 😂

10. Cambodians Have Some of the Most Creative Nicknames

In Cambodia, many people have super funny nicknames. Instead of using their real names, they use names based on:

🍉 Fruits – “Longan,” “Mango,” or “Coconut”

🐷 Animals – “Pig,” “Rabbit,” or “Frog”

🤣 Funny Traits – “Big Ears,” “Chubby,” or “Sleepy”

So don’t be surprised if you meet a Mr. Watermelon or Auntie Fatty—it’s totally normal! 😂

11. The Cambodian Version of "Cheers!" is… Hilarious

When Cambodians drink together, they don’t just say "Cheers!" like everyone else. Instead, they say:

🥂 "Choul Mouy!" (which means "One Shot!")

But the funny part? If someone doesn’t drink fast enough, their friends will yell:

🔥 "Choul Mouy 100%! Bottoms up!"

So if you drink with Cambodians, be ready for some serious drinking challenges! 😂

12. Their Money Is So Light, It Can Fly Away!

Cambodian Riel banknotes are so light that a small breeze can send them flying everywhere. 💸💨

Even funnier? Many Cambodians don’t trust Riel for big purchases, so they use U.S. dollars for expensive things!

So in Cambodia, you pay for snacks in Riel but buy a car in dollars. Confusing? A little. Funny? Definitely! 😂

Final Thoughts: Cambodia Is Full of Fun and Surprises!

Cambodia isn’t just about ancient temples and rich history—it’s also one of the most fun, quirky, and hilarious places in the world! From cows controlling traffic to drinking challenges, there’s never a dull moment in Cambodia.