While we're waiting to see whether the opening of the new Bangkok airport will be a complete train wreck or the greatest thing since Orville and Wilber stopped playing with bicycles, let's get back to talking about destinations. 

I had a chance to re-visit Phnom Penh a couple weekend's ago, and managed to confirm that the city is definitely worth a stop for those visiting Cambodia.  People often skip the capital and head straight for the ruins at Angkor Wat.  To do so is to miss a rather pleasant place to unwind among beautifully restored colonial buildings set along a wide lazy river.

The sights of Phnom Penh are few, to be sure.  Places like the National Museum and Royal Palace are not to be missed, but these will occupy less than a day of your time.  No, Phnom Penh is not the place to be if you're the type who has to be constantly on the move, and considers your vacation 'wasted' if you have more than a minute or two of down-time.  This is a place to enjoy a casual cup of coffee at some sidewalk cafe in the morning, perhaps do a little shopping in the afternoon, then casually enjoy an early evening drink along the quay as you ponder where to have dinner.  You can wave at Sam Bo, the resident elephant of Wat Phnom, as he strolls along the river on his way home in the evening.  If you wave a banana, Sam will definitely wave back.

Since Phnom Penh is such a relaxing place, I'd suggest you visit it after the ruins of Angkor Wat.  Touring the temples can be a bit exhausting, even if you have good hotel with all the amenities.  Phnom Penh makes the perfect place to unwind and reflect on what you've seen.  Not to mention the fact that many important statues and other artifacts from Angkor are housed in the National Museum in Phnom Penh.  Seeing Angkor first will put many of the exhibits in context.

Our complete travel guide to Phnom Penh has already been updated.