Popular Interior Design Styles in Phnom Penh – Which One Is Right for Your Home? (2025)
- songyod thomtitchong
- Mar 17
- 11 min read
Updated: May 14
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ENGLISH VERSION
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Title: Popular Interior Design Styles in Phnom Penh – Which One Is Right for Your Home? (2025)
Meta Description: Explore the most popular interior design styles in Phnom Penh — Modern, Minimalist, Japandi, Contemporary, and Luxury. See real characteristics, costs, and which style fits your home. By SALA DECOR.
Introduction
Walk through any new housing development in Phnom Penh — from BKK1 condos to borey villas in Sen Sok — and you'll see a clear shift happening. Homeowners are no longer satisfied with standard builder finishes. They want a home that has a defined style.
But with so many design directions available, choosing can feel overwhelming. Modern or minimalist? Contemporary or Japandi? What's actually the difference — and which one works best for a Cambodian lifestyle and climate?
This guide breaks down the five most popular interior styles in Phnom Penh right now: what defines them, what they cost, and what type of homeowner they suit best.
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1. Modern Interior Style
Best for: New condos and apartments in Phnom Penh | Mid-range to premium budget
Modern interior design is consistently the most requested style at SALA DECOR — and it's easy to understand why. It works well in the compact floor plans typical of Phnom Penh condos, it ages gracefully, and it suits the local preference for clean, easy-to-maintain spaces.
Defining characteristics:
Neutral color palette: white, light grey, warm beige, and black accents
Clean architectural lines — no ornate moldings or decorative trims
Furniture with defined shapes: low-profile sofas, straight-leg tables
Natural materials: wood panels, stone tiles, concrete finishes
Functional lighting: recessed ceiling lights plus statement pendant fixtures
Open layouts that maximize natural ventilation — important in Phnom Penh's climate
What sets it apart from "contemporary": Modern style refers to a specific design movement (roughly 1950s–1980s-inspired clean forms). It's more fixed in its rules than contemporary design, which shifts with current trends.
Typical cost in Phnom Penh:
For a 100 sqm apartment renovated in modern style (mid-range materials), expect $6,000–$10,000 including renovation work and built-in furniture.
Who it suits: First-time homeowners, couples, expats, anyone who wants a space that looks professional without being overly decorative.
2. Minimalist Interior Style
Best for: Small to mid-size apartments | Any budget, but discipline in choices is key
Minimalism is often misunderstood as "cheap" or "empty." Done well, it's the opposite — it requires very deliberate material and furniture choices, because every element is visible with nothing to hide behind.
The philosophy: remove everything that doesn't serve a purpose. What remains should be beautiful, functional, and well-made.
Defining characteristics:
Maximum two or three colors in the entire space
Hidden storage everywhere — no visible clutter
Furniture that serves multiple purposes (e.g., bed frame with drawers, sofa with storage)
No decorative objects except one or two intentional pieces
High-quality finishes on a small number of surfaces rather than many average surfaces
Large, uninterrupted wall and floor surfaces
Minimalism in Phnom Penh context: This style is especially practical for smaller condos (50–80 sqm) in buildings like those in Toul Kork or Chamkarmon, where every square meter counts. Built-in storage is critical to making it work — without it, the space quickly feels cluttered rather than minimal.
Typical cost in Phnom Penh:
Minimalist interiors often cost less per sqm on decoration — but more on built-in storage quality. Budget $5,000–$9,000 for a 100 sqm apartment with proper built-ins.
Who it suits: People who value calm environments, expats who move frequently and prefer unfurnished-style flexibility, homeowners who dislike cleaning around many objects.
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3. Japandi Interior Style
Best for: Villas and larger homes | Mid-range to premium budget
Japandi is a hybrid of Japanese and Scandinavian design principles — and it has become one of the most requested styles in Phnom Penh's upper-tier residential market over the past two years.
Both Japanese and Scandinavian design share a respect for natural materials, functional simplicity, and quiet beauty. The combination produces spaces that feel warm but uncluttered, natural but refined.
Defining characteristics:
Warm wood tones throughout — floors, built-ins, and furniture in teak, walnut, or oak veneer
Low furniture: platform beds, low sofas, floor-level seating areas
Wabi-sabi philosophy: imperfect natural textures are celebrated, not hidden
Soft, layered lighting — no harsh ceiling floods; warm pendants and floor lamps
Indoor plants, rattan, linen, and other natural textiles
Muted color palette: sage green, warm clay, soft white, charcoal
Why it works well in Phnom Penh: The emphasis on natural ventilation, natural materials, and calm atmospheres translates perfectly to tropical living. The warm wood palette also complements the natural light quality in Cambodia's climate.
Typical cost in Phnom Penh:
Japandi interiors require quality wood veneers and natural materials, which cost more than standard laminates. For a 120 sqm villa renovation in Japandi style, expect $10,000–$18,000.
Who it suits: Homeowners who appreciate craftsmanship, families with young children (the soft and natural materials work well), anyone influenced by Japanese aesthetics — which resonates strongly in Phnom Penh's design-conscious community.
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4. Contemporary Interior Style
Best for: Large villas and executive homes | Premium budget
Contemporary design is often confused with modern, but there's a key difference: modern refers to a fixed period and set of principles, while contemporary means "of the current moment" — it reflects what's trending right now.
In Phnom Penh's premium residential market, contemporary interiors are commonly seen in new executive villas and high-spec condominiums. The style is flexible, forward-looking, and often incorporates the newest materials and technologies.
Defining characteristics:
Open-plan layouts connecting living, dining, and kitchen
Mixed materials and textures: glass, concrete, metal, and wood used together
Statement lighting: oversized pendants, architectural LED strips, feature chandeliers
Furniture with clean lines but more variety in form than pure modern style
Accent walls using stone, textured paint, or large-format tiles
Smart home integration (lighting control, automated curtains) fits naturally into this style
Contemporary vs. luxury: Contemporary can be luxury, but not always. The distinction is in material quality — contemporary style uses the same design language at mid-range or high-end depending on budget.
Typical cost in Phnom Penh:
Contemporary renovations for a 150 sqm villa typically run $12,000–$22,000+, depending on material specification.
Who it suits: Homeowners who want their space to reflect current trends, professionals who entertain clients at home, anyone upgrading from an older renovation that feels dated.
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5. Luxury Modern Interior Style
Best for: High-end villas, premium condos | Premium to ultra-premium budget
Luxury modern combines the clean principles of modern design with premium materials, custom craftsmanship, and a level of detail that standard renovation cannot achieve.
This is the most common style requested for villa projects in Phnom Penh's high-end residential areas — particularly large family homes, properties owned by business executives, and boutique hospitality spaces that want a residential feel.
Defining characteristics:
Natural stone: marble floors, book-matched stone feature walls, stone vanity tops
Custom built-in furniture: full-height wardrobes, bespoke TV walls, tailored kitchen cabinetry
Statement lighting: designer pendant fixtures, architectural ceiling details with integrated LED
Premium hardware: Italian handles, soft-close BLUM fittings, touch-open systems
High-quality imported tiles: large-format porcelain (800x1600mm or larger)
Feature ceilings: coffered ceilings, coved ceiling profiles, layered lighting trays
What makes it "luxury" in Cambodia: In Phnom Penh, true luxury interiors require project management discipline — sourcing the right materials, managing installation quality, and ensuring the level of finish is consistent throughout. The risk of budget luxury that looks premium from photos but poor in person is high without proper oversight.
Typical cost in Phnom Penh:
Luxury villa renovations typically start at $15,000–$20,000 for a 150 sqm home and can exceed $50,000+ for fully custom, imported-material projects.
Who it suits: Business owners, executives, families returning from overseas who have seen international design standards and want the same in Phnom Penh.
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Style Comparison at a Glance
Style Best Space Budget Range (100 sqm) Key Material Maintenance
Modern Condos, apartments $6,000–$10,000 Wood + stone Low
Minimalist Small–mid apartments $5,000–$9,000 Plywood, laminate Very low
Japandi Villas, larger homes $10,000–$18,000 Wood veneer, natural textiles Low–medium
Contemporary Executive villas $12,000–$22,000+ Mixed: concrete, glass, metal Medium
Luxury Modern High-end villas $15,000–$50,000+ Marble, custom millwork Medium–high
How to Choose the Right Style for Your Home
Consider your lifestyle first, aesthetics second. If you have young children, highly polished marble floors may not be practical — Japandi's warm wood and soft textures may be a better fit. If you travel frequently and want a low-maintenance home, minimalism saves cleaning time.
Match the style to the architecture. A minimalist interior in a baroque-style villa creates conflict. Conversely, luxury modern looks stunning in a double-height villa with large windows but can feel cold in a small apartment.
Think about resale. Modern and contemporary styles have broad appeal. Highly personalised or niche styles (industrial, maximalist, etc.) may appeal to you perfectly but limit your buyer pool if you ever sell.
Set a realistic budget. Each style can be done well or poorly depending on material choices. A minimalist space with low-quality plywood feels cheap. A modern interior with quality wood veneer and proper lighting feels genuinely premium at a fraction of the luxury budget.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which interior style is most popular in Phnom Penh right now?
A: Modern and Japandi are the two most requested styles at SALA DECOR in 2025. Modern dominates for condos and mid-size apartments. Japandi is increasingly popular for larger villas and premium residential projects.
Q: Can I mix styles?
A: Yes — most successful interiors blend two complementary styles. Modern-minimalist and Japandi-contemporary are common combinations. The key is ensuring the material palette and furniture scale remain consistent.
Q: What style works best for small apartments in Phnom Penh?
A: Minimalist or modern, with a strong focus on built-in storage. Hidden storage is essential in small spaces to avoid the lived-in clutter that kills the aesthetic.
Q: Does the style affect the renovation cost significantly?
A: Yes. Japandi and luxury modern require more expensive natural materials. Minimalist can be cost-efficient if storage systems are well-planned. Modern is the most balanced between cost and visual impact.
Q: Can SALA DECOR help me decide which style fits my home?
A: Absolutely — this is part of our design consultation. We look at your space, your lifestyle, and your budget, then recommend a direction with reference images and a 3D concept before any work begins.
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Start With a Free Style Consultation
Not sure which style suits your home? Share your floor plan and a few reference images with us — we'll put together a design direction and budget estimate at no charge.
📩 Contact SALA DECOR: https://www.saladecor.com/interior-design-phnompenh
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ភាសាខ្មែរ (KHMER VERSION)
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រចនាប័ទ្ម Interior Design ដែលពេញនិយមនៅភ្នំពេញ – Style ណា ស្រប នឹង ផ្ទះ អ្នក? (២០២៥)
ការណែនាំ
ដើរឆ្លងកាត់ borey ថ្មីៗ ឬ condo នៅ BKK1, Toul Kork, Sen Sok — អ្នកនឹងសង្កេតឃើញការផ្លាស់ប្ដូរ ជាក់ស្ដែង: ម្ចាស់ផ្ទះជាច្រើន មិន satisfied ជាមួយ finish standard ពី developer ទៀតហើយ។ ពួកគេចង់បានផ្ទះ ដែលមាន style ច្បាស់លាស់ ។
ប៉ុន្តែ មាន style ជ្រើសរើស ច្រើន ណាស់ — Modern? Minimalist? Japandi? Contemporary? ខុសគ្នាយ៉ាងដូចម្ដេច? Style ណា ស្រប នឹង lifestyle ខ្មែរ?
អត្ថបទនេះ SALA DECOR breakdown រចនាប័ទ្ម 5 ដែលពេញនិយមបំផុតនៅភ្នំពេញ — ចំណុចខ្លឹមសារ, ថ្លៃ, និង ផ្ទះ/ម្ចាស់ ប្រភេទ ណា ដែល ស្របជាង គេ។
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១. Modern Interior Style (រចនាប័ទ្ម Modern)
ល្អបំផុតសម្រាប់: Condo និង Apartment ថ្មីៗ | Budget mid-range ដល់ premium
Modern interior design ជា style ដែលត្រូវបានស្នើដោយ client ញឹកញាប់ជាងគេ នៅ SALA DECOR — ហើយ ច្បាស់ណាស់ ថា ហេតុអ្វី។ វា work ល្អ ក្នុង floor plan តូចរបស់ condo ភ្នំពេញ, មិន outdated លឿន, ហើយ ស្របនឹង preference ខ្មែរ ដែលចូលចិត្ត ចន្លោះ ស្អាត clean ងាយ clean ។
ចំណុចសម្គាល់:
ពណ៌ neutral: ស, ប្រផេះ, beige ក្ដៅ, black accents
Line ស្ថាបត្យកម្ម clean — គ្មាន decoration ច្រើន
ឈើ, stone tile, concrete finish
Lighting: recessed ceiling light + pendant statement
Layout open ដែលរំដោះ airflow — សំខាន់ណាស់ climate ភ្នំពេញ
ថ្លៃប្រហែល នៅ ភ្នំពេញ:
Apartment 100 ម² mid-range materials: $6,000–$10,000 រួម renovation work + built-in furniture
ស្រប ជាមួយ: ម្ចាស់ផ្ទះដំបូង, គូស្វាមីភរិយា, expat, អ្នក ដែល ចង់ Space ដែល ស្អាត professional មិន ច្រើន decoration ។
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២. Minimalist Interior Style (រចនាប័ទ្ម Minimalist)
ល្អបំផុតសម្រាប់: Apartment តូច ដល់ មធ្យម | Budget អ្វីក៏បាន ប៉ុន្តែ ត្រូវវិន័យក្នុងការជ្រើសរើស
Minimalism ជាញឹកញាប់ ត្រូវបានយល់ ខុស ថា "ថោក" ឬ "ទទេ"។ ធ្វើ properly — វា ផ្ទុយ: ត្រូវការ ការ ជ្រើស material និង furniture ដោយ ចេតនា ខ្ពស់ ណាស់ ដោយ គ្មាន element ណា hide ហើយ។
Philosophy: យក element ទាំងអស់ ដែល មិន serve purpose ចេញ។ អ្វី ដែល remaining ត្រូវ beautiful, functional, well-made ។
ចំណុចសម្គាល់:
ពណ៌ maximum 2-3 ទាំង home ទាំងមូល
Hidden storage គ្រប់ corner — ពុំមាន clutter ឃើញ
Furniture multi-purpose (ដូចជា bed frame + drawer, sofa + storage)
Decoration objects ១–២ piece ដែល intentional ប៉ុណ្ណោះ
Large uninterrupted wall + floor surfaces
ក្នុងបរិបទ ភ្នំពេញ: Style នេះ practical ខ្លាំង ណាស់ សម្រាប់ condo 50–80 ម² នៅ Toul Kork, Chamkarmon ដែល ជា ឧទាហរណ៍ — ប្រើ ប្រាស់ រាល់ ម² ឱ្យ满 ។ Built-in storage ល្អ ជា critical point ។
ថ្លៃប្រហែល: Apartment 100 ម² $5,000–$9,000 + built-in storage quality
ស្រប ជាមួយ: អ្នក ដែល ចូល ចិត្ត environment calme, expat ដែល move ញឹក, ម្ចាស់ ផ្ទះ ដែល មិន ចង់ clean ជុំវិញ object ច្រើន ។
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៣. Japandi Interior Style
ល្អបំផុតសម្រាប់: វីឡា និង ផ្ទះ ធំ | Budget mid-range ដល់ premium
Japandi ជា hybrid ពី Japanese Design + Scandinavian Design — ហើយ ក្នុង ២ ឆ្នាំ ចុង ក្រោយ វា បាន ក្លាយ ជា style ដែល popular ខ្លាំង ណាស់ ក្នុង ទីផ្សារ residential upper-tier នៅ ភ្នំពេញ ។
ទាំងពីរ Design school ចែករំលែក respect ចំពោះ natural materials, functional simplicity, និង quiet beauty ។ Result គឺ Space ដែល ក្ដៅ ប្ដែ មិន cluttered, natural ប៉ុន្តែ refined ។
ចំណុចសម្គាល់:
Wood tones ក្ដៅ: floor, built-in, furniture ក្នុង teak, walnut, oak veneer
Furniture ទាប: platform bed, low sofa, floor seating
Wabi-sabi philosophy: texture natural imperfect ត្រូវ celebrate មិន hide
Lighting layered ក្ដៅ — pendant, floor lamp; ពុំមាន recessed flood ចេះ harsh
Indoor plants, rattan, linen, natural textiles
ពណ៌ muted: sage green, warm clay, soft white, charcoal
ហេតុអ្វី work ល្អ ភ្នំពេញ: Emphasis លើ natural ventilation, natural materials, atmosphere calm — translate ល្អ ណាស់ ក្នុង tropical living ។ Wood palette ក្ដៅ complement natural light quality ក្នុង climate កម្ពុជា ។
ថ្លៃប្រហែល: វីឡា 120 ម² Japandi style: $10,000–$18,000
ស្រប ជាមួយ: ម្ចាស់ ផ្ទះ ដែល appreciate craftsmanship, family មាន children តូច, អ្នក ដែល ចូល ចិត្ត aesthetic Japanese ។
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៤. Contemporary Interior Style (រចនាប័ទ្ម Contemporary)
ល្អបំផុតសម្រាប់: វីឡា executive ធំ | Budget premium
Contemporary design reflect current trends — មិន fixed ក្នុង rule ដូច modern ទេ ។ ក្នុង residential premium market ភ្នំពេញ style នេះ ច្រើន ឃើញ ក្នុង villa executive ថ្មី និង condo high-spec ។
ចំណុចសម្គាល់:
Layout open-plan: living, dining, kitchen connected
Materials mixed: glass, concrete, metal, wood ក្នុង space តែ ១
Statement lighting: oversized pendant, LED strip architectural, feature chandelier
Accent wall: stone, textured paint, large-format tile
Smart home integration (lighting control, automated curtain) fits natural ណាស់
ថ្លៃប្រហែល: វីឡា 150 ម² Contemporary: $12,000–$22,000+
ស្រប ជាមួយ: ម្ចាស់ ផ្ទះ ដែល ចង់ space reflect current trend, professional ដែល entertain client នៅ ផ្ទះ, អ្នក ដែល upgrade ពី renovation ចាស់ ។
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៥. Luxury Modern Interior Style (រចនាប័ទ្ម Luxury Modern)
ល្អបំផុតសម្រាប់: វីឡា high-end, condo premium | Budget premium ដល់ ultra-premium
Luxury Modern combine clean principle of modern design ជាមួយ premium materials, custom craftsmanship, និង detail ដែល standard renovation ធ្វើ មិន បាន ។
ចំណុចសម្គាល់:
Natural stone: marble floor, feature wall stone book-matched, stone vanity
Custom built-in: full-height wardrobe, bespoke TV wall, tailored kitchen cabinet
Statement lighting: designer pendant, architectural ceiling detail + LED integrated
Hardware premium: Italian handles, soft-close BLUM fitting, touch-open system
Large-format tile import: 800x1600mm ឬ ធំ ជាង
Feature ceiling: coffered ceiling, coved profile, layered lighting tray
ក្នុងបរិបទ ភ្នំពេញ: Luxury interior ពិតប្រាកដ ត្រូវការ project management discipline — source materials ត្រូវ, manage installation quality, ensure finish level consistent ។ Risk of "budget luxury" ដែល look premium ក្នុង photo ប៉ុន្តែ poor in person — high ណាស់ ដោយ គ្មាន oversight ត្រឹមត្រូវ ។
ថ្លៃប្រហែល: Luxury villa 150 ម² ចាប់ ពី $15,000–$50,000+ អាស្រ័យ material specification
ស្រប ជាមួយ: Business owner, executive, family ពី overseas ចង់ international design standard នៅ ភ្នំពេញ ។
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ប្រៀបធៀប Style ទាំង 5
Style Space ល្អបំផុត Budget (100 ម²) Material Key ការថែទាំ
Modern Condo, apartment $6,000–$10,000 ឈើ + stone ទាប
Minimalist Apartment តូច–មធ្យម $5,000–$9,000 Plywood, laminate ទាប ខ្លាំង
Japandi វីឡា, ផ្ទះ ធំ $10,000–$18,000 Wood veneer, natural ទាប–មធ្យម
Contemporary វីឡា executive $12,000–$22,000+ Mixed: concrete, glass មធ្យម
Luxury Modern វីឡា high-end $15,000–$50,000+ Marble, custom millwork មធ្យម–ខ្ពស់
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ធ្វើដូចម្ដេច ដើម្បី ជ្រើស Style ត្រឹមត្រូវ?
Consider lifestyle មុន aesthetics។ ប្រសិនបើមាន children តូច, marble floor ដែល polished ខ្ពស់ ប្រហែលជា not practical — Japandi wood tone + soft texture សមជាង ។
Match style ទៅ architecture ។ Minimalist interior ក្នុង classical villa create conflict ។ Luxury modern look stunning ក្នុង double-height villa ប៉ុន្តែ feel cold ក្នុង apartment តូច ។
Budget realistic ។ Style ណា ក៏ look ល្អ ឬ poor — អាស្រ័យ material choice ។ Minimalist ជាមួយ plywood quality ទាប feel cheap ។ Modern ជាមួយ wood veneer ល្អ + lighting ត្រឹមត្រូវ feel premium ក្នុង fraction of luxury budget ។
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សំណួរ ដែល សួរ ញឹក ញាប់
Q: Style ណា ពេញនិយមបំផុតនៅភ្នំពេញឥឡូវ?
A: Modern និង Japandi ជា 2 style ដែល request ញឹក ណាស់ នៅ SALA DECOR ក្នុង ២០២៥ ។ Modern dominate condo និង apartment ។ Japandi popular ខ្លួន ឡើង សម្រាប់ villa premium ។
Q: Mix style ៣ ១ space បានទេ?
A: បាន — interior ជោគជ័យ ភាគ ច្រើន blend style 2 complementary ។ Modern-minimalist និង Japandi-contemporary ជា combination common ។ Key: material palette + furniture scale ត្រូវ consistent ។
Q: Style ណា ល្អបំផុតសម្រាប់ apartment តូចនៅភ្នំពេញ?
A: Minimalist ឬ Modern ជាមួយ focus ខ្លាំងលើ built-in storage ។ Hidden storage essential ណាស់ ដើម្បី avoid clutter ដែល kill aesthetic ។
Q: SALA DECOR ជួយជ្រើស style ឱ្យផ្ទះខ្ញុំបានទេ?
A: បាន — នេះ ជា ផ្នែក ១ នៃ design consultation យើង ។ យើង look at space, lifestyle, budget ហើយ recommend direction ជាមួយ reference image + 3D concept មុន ពេល work ណាមួយ ចាប់ ផ្ដើម ។
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ចង់ដឹង Style ណា សម ផ្ទះអ្នក?
Talk ជាមួយ SALA DECOR ជាមុន — free ។ Send floor plan ឬ reference image ហើយ SALA DECOR នឹង recommend design direction + budget estimate ឱ្យ ។
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SALA DECOR – Interior Design & Renovation Phnom Penh
Senssok, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
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