Siem Reap to Phnom Penn via military helicoptor

G'day,

Heard from friends who travelled to Cambodia several years ago that after booking their ticket for the fast boat to PP, saw an advertisement offering a flight to between SR and PP for approx $50 US on a military helicoptor. Although more expensive than the boat/bus, this would offer a unique view of the countryside, as well as faster and maybe more comforatable.

Has anyone heard if this is still a possibility? or has anyone done this before?

Travelling in Oct/Nov.

Cheers

Kate and Joel

This hasn't been possible for many years now.

There' a company called Sokha Helicopters that do the trip for $700

Does that include the RPG rockets?

I doubt it could as cheap as 50 usd.

It used to be 35, until... See the date at the bottom of this article. This was when the "Army Helicopter Tourist Service" went out of business.

http://www.phnompenhpost.com<BR><BR>Air force officers chase tourist dollars

[Photo: The danger of travelling on RCAF helicopters was highlighted on
April 1, 1998, when this Mi-17 crashed in Preah Vihear]

By Stephen O'Connell and Lon Nara

ROYAL Cambodian Air Force officers are running an unofficial tourist
flight service between Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Anlong Veng using
antiquated Russian-built helicopters.

In Phnom Penh tickets are available for the irregularly scheduled
flights from the Narin Guest House, a popular place to stay for budget
travelers.

Makara, who is in charge of ticketing at the guest house, said the
service was provided "secretly" by officers in the air force "to get
money for food".

Staff at the Narin Guest House said the helicopters fly tourists at
least 10 times a month - usually when the air force has missions
scheduled to Siem Reap or Anlong Veng. The flights depart from the
military base at Pochentong Airport. Sometimes they will have as many
as 20 tourists on board, paying $35 each for the one-way ticket, he
said.

When first contacted by the Post, Makara warned that the flight was
potentially dangerous. "Because we are both Cambodian, I advise you not
to take the helicopter - it's better taking the fast boat," he told
Post reporter Lon Nara.

Makara said foreigners liked to take the flight because helicopter
rides were usually much more expensive in their home countries.

Sources told the Post that the Mahogany Guest House in Siem Reap also
advertised the air force flights.

But the sideline has drawn criticism from civil aviation authorities.

Keo Sivorn, Director of Flights Operation and Air Safety Department for
the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, said it is illegal for the air
force to be involved in a civilian passenger service, adding that
officials in Civil Aviation had been unaware of the air force's tourist
flights.

Sivorn said the air force does not carry insurance for such
flights. "If a helicopter crashes no one will be responsible."

He also said tourists needed to be aware that flying in military
aircraft voided their travel insurance.

He said there are real concerns about the safety of the military
helicopters, as the air force does not abide by international civil
aviation standards for maintenance and pilot training.

He said apart from being illegal, the air force flights have an unfair
advantage over commercial operators as they do not have to pay
navigation, landing, and other applicable fees.

Royal Cambodia Air Force Commander Sing Samnang said the air force has
only chartered helicopters to oil [exploration] companies or to
American teams searching for MIAs - but always with the approval of
higher authorities.

"This is illegal," Samnang told the Post. "I have never offered air
services to tourists. I am pretty sure that there is no such thing
happening in the Royal Cambodian Air Force.

"This is ridiculous. I will launch an investigation about this matter,"
he said.

Phnom Penh Post, Issue 9/19, September 15 - 28, 2000
C Michael Hayes, 2000. All rights revert to authors and artists on
publication.
For permission to publish any part of this publication, contact Michael
Hayes, Editor-in-Chief
http://www.PhnomPenhPost.com - Any comments on the website to Webmaster

I had heard of journalists hitching on military flights back in the early 1990s,when it was dangerous to go by road or boat. I wish Id known about it the first time I came here, for $10 extra it sounds like it was a much better trip than the boat.

Forgot to mention, you can get short flights in a helicopter over Angkor for $50 nowadays.

...but please consider the carbon footprint of using a helicopter! In Angkor, get the hot air balloon: cheaper, far less noise, longer - and a lot cleaner!
contact info
experience report

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>I had heard of journalists hitching on military flights back in the early 1990s,when it was dangerous to go by road or boat.<hr></blockquote>

Exactly. That's how it got started, because of the dangers on the roads and on the Tonle Sap in the early 1990s.

Cambodia was closed to foreigners from April 17, 1975 all the way through the 1980s. After the Paris Peace Accords were signed by all of the Cambodian political factions in October of 1991, United Nations soldiers began arriving into Cambodia to oversea the peace agreement, and the national elections scheduled for May of 1993. With these United Nations soldiers came journalists, many of them freelance journalists who had no money, no nothing, only a potential story to follow. Phnom Penh is open again!

At the time, in early 1992, the Khmer Rouge was still very much alive. Pol Pot himself was still very much alive, and he was living in Anlong Veng, just up the road from Siem Reap. At the time, in early 1992, it was not possible for journalists to get up to Siem Reap by road or by boat. However, our freelance journalists being ever resourceful, they continued to look around in Phnom Penh. Eventually, they discovered that some friendly Cambodian helicopter drivers were willing to take them to Siem Reap for a small fee.

Thus began the "Army Helicopter Tourist Service".

It wasn't a joke at first. At the time, in early 1992, only the airfield in Siem Reap was controlled by government soldiers. The surrounding countryside was still controlled by the Khmer Rouge. Only the most adrenaline junkie journalist would have considered using these flights. In May of 1993, the Khmer Rouge attacked Siem Reap and killed a number of people. Would anyone here have wanted to be on one of those flights, at that time?

Over the years, as conditions improved in Cambodia, the local guest house owners in both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap learned about this ride. As the article above states, it got so bad, the friendly Cambodian helicopters drivers were carrying up to 20 foreigners per flight. This was a receipe for disaster, if one of those helicopters ever crashed with 20 foreigners on board, so the responsible journalists at the Phnom Penh Post put an end to it by publishing the above article in September of 2000.

Has this friendly Royal Cambodian Air Force service been revived? If any reader here wants to ask about it, simply check in at the Narin Guest House in Phnom Penh or at the Mahogany Guest House in Siem Reap. Maybe the guys who work in these places today have more current information? Has this service been revived?

Potential users might want to read closely the comments in the article above about travel insurance.

Recreational travel,

"with these came freelance journalists who had no money, no nothing....

"Anlong Veng,just up the road from Siem Reap"

Have you heard of ANYONE in the world who entered ANY country with no money. "no nothing" I think not.
Journos are a pack breed and certainly were in 1991. To come to Cambodia with no money would be too weird, would it not?

Anlong Veng is a bit longer than just up the road. YOU TRY WALKING IT.

I took the chopper service in '95 and had a pretty good time with the flight crew my first night
in Siem Reap, but all the journalists had money in their pockets. And shirts and shoes etc....

hankor, do you want to see the pictures from the first freelance journalist to get back into Phnom Penh after the Paris Peace Accords?

His name was Stefan Ellis. See

http://www.stefanellis.com/</a><BR><BR>Click on the word Cambodia and then start clicking around on the pictures at the bottom of the page.

As part of the Paris Peace Accords in October of 1991, a representative for the Khmer Rouge was allowed to return to Phnom Penh in an official capacity, as if that representative was a member of the government. That representative was Khieu Sampan. However, when he arrived in November of 1991, common people in Phnom Penh rioted in front of the building where he was staying, got inside and beat Khieu Sampan. He survived only because Hun Sen's soldiers came to rescue him, as per the Paris Peace Accords.

Stefan Ellis was there in Phnom Penh that day in November of 1991. If you haven't seen his picture of Khieu Sampan as he "wore an army helmet with a pair of underwear for a bandage after being clubbed by an angry mob", the picture is on the web site above. That same picture was on display at the FCC in Phnom Penh for many years afterwards.

For readers thinking about using that old "Army Helicopter Tourist Service", their helicopters do crash sometimes.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/72367.stm</a><BR><BR>Wednesday, 1 April, 1998, 12:22 GMT 13:22 UK

Helicopter crash in Cambodia

A Cambodian army helicopter carrying a group of journalists and a British diplomat has crash-landed in a minefield near the former Khmer Rouge base of Preah Vihear in the north of the country.

Several of those on board were injured when two mines exploded under the helicopter as it attempted to land.

The army flight was arranged after government forces took control of Preah Vihear from Khmer Rouge rebels last weekend.

Military sources said that three of the wounded had been flown to the capital Phnom Penh for treatment.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>That representative was Khieu Sampan. However, when he arrived in November of 1991, common people in Phnom Penh rioted in front of the building where he was staying, got inside and beat Khieu Sampan. He survived only because Hun Sen's soldiers came to rescue him, as per the Paris Peace Accords.<hr></blockquote>

Yeah, Ive read all about that debacle, I think it was international news at the time. I know a few journalists and other people who were here in those days. Im too drunk to post a decent reply but you have some great information.

Don't see the relevance in talking about pre-2000 Cambodia on any of these topics.
It's certainly a different place today than it was back then.

If you're looking for the pre-2000 Cambodian experience, try Africa.

This is my first time on this web site. I've luckily find it. Have you guy ever heard about the helicopter Mi-17 crash in Cambodia airport in April, 1, 2002? That crash killed 3 and injured 1. One of the guy who was killed was my dad. I have been on those helicopter for maybe 15 times. While my dad alive I used to ask him that did they fix the helicopter? because it look new. But did you know what did he say to me. He said sometimes they take the helicopter to Vietnam to paint it and just fix little thing, so they can get some money for their own. That was shock to me. On the day my dad die I was so angry and I said to myself that I hate those guy. My dad is a really careful guy. He always check the engine before he fly. but on that day he got to transfer the helicopter so he have no time to check on the engine. When he took off the tail rotor was broken, he can control nothing, and the helicopter just drop down and explode.

Any question just reply back

Suorsdey sethy. Sorry to hear about your Dad. I think readers here have understood now that using these helicopters is not a good idea.

---------------------

3 killed in Cambodian military helicopter crash

PHNOM PENH, April 1 Kyodo

Three Cambodian military pilots died when a helicopter crashed Monday morning at a military base adjacent to Phnom Penh's international airport, military officials said.

Se Vong Sotha, deputy chief of the Cambodian Air Force, told Kyodo News that besides killing the three pilots, the crash of the Russian-made Mi-17 helicopter also injured a mechanic who was on board.

The accident occurred at 9:20 a.m. at the base located next to Pochentong International Airport, which lies some 8 kilometers west of the capital, he said.

Defense Minister Tea Banh blamed the accident on pilot error, saying the pilots changed direction too quickly while the chopper was less than 3 meters off the ground, causing it to crash and burst into flames.

He added that the chopper had been about to head for Prime Minister Hun Sen's residence, some 13 km south of Phnom Penh, where it was to pick up five members of a Vietnamese military delegation and fly them to Vietnam.

The Mi-17, recognizable because the tail rotor is located on the starboard side instead of the port side, is a multipurpose helicopter capable of carrying either cargo in the cabin or up to 30 passengers.

Cambodia's military has 12 helicopters in its fleet, but only four of them were in service, including the one that crashed.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Kyodo News International, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group

Sethy I’m sure you know your dad died doing what he loved to do. Helicopters crash often even if they are maintained very well, there are too many parts and many of them are crucial. I too like helicopters and sometimes put photos of them on my blog, I used to have a room mate who took good photos. I spent years riding in and under helicopters and still miss them. Here are a couple of my favourites.
Above Indian Creek
638 headed downhill

Well I have learned a lot of these and I also get the information from my friends in the USAF(United States Air Force), They also said like what Somsai said to, but they also mention that the Tail Rotor is pretty hard for them to get loose of locate on the wrong side.

Very sorry about your father sethy. I am sure that he was a fine and responsible pilot. But in regard to tourists taking military helicopters, it's not an option any more and so a moot point. And in regard to poor maintenance and shoddy workmanship, TIC, and is probably not limited to military helicopters.

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>...but please consider the carbon footprint of using a helicopter! <hr></blockquote>

Maybe you should try walking to Siem Reap from Europe or America or wherever.

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>Don't see the relevance in talking about pre-2000 Cambodia on any of these topics.<hr></blockquote>

Why not? Its interesting.

Theres a new helicopter airline in Cambodia, called Sokha airline, but its a bit more expensive than it used to be. $700 one way to Sihanoukville, $2500 to Bokor mountain.

www.etravelblackboardasia.com/article.asp?id=48303&nav=109

Hankor #19, your argument isn't very catching: The carbon footprint of any international flight (in fact ANY flight using an airplane) is offsettable for a fraction of the cost of the price of the ticketby either buying carbon emission rights in the European Union (see for instance this website) or by investing an amount of money proportional to the caused pollution in companies who, with that money, finance carbon-reducing counter-measures which compensate the amount of CO2 emmitted (see for instace atmosfair). Using a full or nearly full airplane, this is pretty affordable, even on long-distance flights: On a return flight Amsterdam-Bangkok, using a Boeing 747, I alone produce 6660kg of CO2. Compensating that costs me 135€.
A helicopter, by comparison, carries far less people and also emits far more CO2, which is the reason why the carbon footprint of these mashines is much larger. Sure you could also offset that, but for one thing, relative to the price of the ticket, this would be quite expensive and moreover, I just do not see a lot of sense in using a helicopter where it's not absolutely necessary, ie. on a short overland-distance where you could also use a bus, a taxi a boat or even a regular plane!

I followed the links to Sokha that Grooger posted and noticed they fly R44s which I think is powered by an internal combustion engine and therefore much cheaper to operate, costs probably of a couple three hundred per hour plus profit, I’ll bet that’s the $700 Siahnoukville flight. I think one of those aircraft flies out of our local airport, very unusual sound, you can hear the blades and also the pistons firing.

The carbon footprint of the R44 is probably small, like an SUV. That AS350,,,, well,, more likely a gallon a minute.

Despite the best maintenance available and skilled pilots a helicopter is still a helicopter. Typically insurance is very high and 10% deductible, often through Loyds or others used to insuring high risk expensive things.

I only spent a short time as a tourist in Cambodia 95 or 94, Grooger things have changed? No more roadblocks to pay toll?

The carbon emitted in the form of cow farts over the average life of a cow exceeds the carbon emissions of a single helicopter ride from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. So the responsible traveler can offset the carbon footprint of his helicopter ride to Siem Reap by first blowing up a cow down at the gun range in Phnom Penh. Or so I hear.

LOL, good one, fools, that really is a brilliant idea!!!!

I am so bored with this carbon footprint fashion.
Go scream on an Al Gore website!
I love choppers ,boats, planes,trains and motos!
And now I really dig cow farts!!
Thanks Fools

OH, AND ALWAYS LEAVE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT AT THE DOOR BEFORE YOU ENTER A PAGODA!!!

Yes, well Ive bought shares in a company that shoves carbon dioxide into mine shafts, so I can fly around in as many helicopters as I like. What a load of toss.

The OP wants a helicopter from SR to PP. He cant take a military helicopter now so why mention it?
Maybe you could buy a book and read about Cambodian history.

It's not in the history books for the most part. If you want to read about the military helicopter rides and other touristy happenings of that era in Cambodia, you come to a board like this where you can find people who were there and/or have access to obscure articles and writings about it. What your bitch? Nothing to add?

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>why mention it?<hr></blockquote>

Why not? Are you afraid that the Thorn Tree will break down just because a few posts mention something that happened in the past? Besides, there is information on current helicopter flights.

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>Maybe you could buy a book and read about Cambodian history. <hr></blockquote>

Maybe I have already bought about 50 books about Cambodian history, and none of them had the above information.

If you all want to know about those stuff come ask me.
I've been with those commander and pilot and all cheap guys with high power like a million times

Any question about those fool just reply to me

psst attn hankor

As part of the Paris Peace Accords in October of 1991, a representative for the Khmer Rouge was allowed to return to Phnom Penh in an official capacity, as if that representative was a member of the government. That representative was Khieu Sampan. However, when he arrived in November of 1991, common people in Phnom Penh rioted in front of the building where he was staying, got inside and beat Khieu Sampan. He survived only because Hun Sen's soldiers came to rescue him, as per the Paris Peace Accords.

The TVK film of that entire incident is now on Youtube, beginning with Khieu Samphan's arrival into the city

Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knQgT7eS5LM</a>

Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=TC7AsgOMg7Y&feature=related</a>

Part 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=az6_a-cWpgs&feature=related</a>

Part 4 has his forced departure from the city. Watch only this one if you have little time

http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=11aPZhQbMH0&feature=related</a>

Cheers, I'll have to check that out.