Travel Summary
- On 15 October 2008, fighting broke out along the disputed border area near the Preah Vihear temple (Khao Pra Viharn in Thai) between Thai and Cambodian troops. On 2 April 2009, further hostilities broke out close to Preah Vihear. We advise against all travel to the temple area. Although talks continue between the two countries, tensions remain. You should remain alert to the local situation when travelling in other border regions, and at land crossings between the two countries.
- There is human A (H1N1) - Influenza in Cambodia. See the Health (A (H1N1) Influenza - Swine Influenza) section of this advice; and the dedicated “Swine Flu” page of the FCO website at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/swine-flu for further information.
- There is a low threat from terrorism in Cambodia. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. On 2 January 2009, three small explosive devices were found and safely detonated in Phnom Penh. Visitors should avoid demonstrations and political gatherings.
- Cambodian registered and operated airlines do not meet international safety standards. See the Air Travel section of this advice for more details.
- Outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Cambodia have led to a small number of human fatalities. The last fatality was in April 2007. See the Health (Avian Influenza) section of this advice and see Avian and Pandemic Influenza for more details.
- 98,000 British nationals visited Cambodia in 2008 (Source: Cambodia Ministry of Tourism). Most visits to Cambodia are trouble-free. The main type of incidents for which British nationals required consular assistance in Cambodia in 2008 were: lost and stolen passports (48 cases), hospitalisations (15 cases), bag snatches (14 cases) and deaths (12 cases).
- We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance f or more details.
Safety and security
There is a low threat from terrorism in Cambodia. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
There have been serious attacks in other parts of South East Asia. In Indonesia, Westerners were killed and injured following the terrorist attacks in Bali (October 2002 and October 2005) and Jakarta (August 2003 and September 2004).
For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.
Crime
Disparity in wealth may make tourists an attractive target for crime: sensible precautions should be taken to avoid opportunistic theft. You should be on your guard against pickpockets and bag snatchers. You are advised to remain particularly vigilant against theft when using public transportation, including inter-city buses, tuk-tuks and motos.
Particular areas where crime levels have been relatively high in recent months have been the riverfront area of Phnom Penh, and the beaches and tourist areas of Sihanoukville. You should be particularly vigilant at night, and in deserted areas, although incidents have occurred at all times of day. Thieves do not generally use violence, but some incidents have involved criminals carrying weapons.
ATMs have recently been installed in Phnom Penh and other cities. You should take care when withdrawing cash and be aware of your surroundings.
There have been a small number of grenade/bomb attacks and shootings, although most have been linked to business, personal and traffic disputes. There is no evidence to suggest that British nationals, or Western interests more generally, have been the targets of these attacks. However, there is a danger foreigners might be caught up in any further attacks.
There have also been a small number of rapes and sexual assaults in various locations. For more general information, see Rape and Sexual Assault Abroad.
For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad
Political Situation
Cambodia Country Profile
The political situation in Cambodia is stable, and incidents of politically motivated violence have fallen significantly in recent years, but particular events or political disputes may occasionally trigger violent protests. You are advised to keep away from any large gatherings, demonstrations and political meetings, and to avoid expressing forcible opinions on Cambodian politics or culture.
Local Travel
The line of the international border in the vicinity of the Preah Vihear temple (Khao Pra Viharn in Thai) is the subject of dispute between Cambodia and Thailand
Fighting broke out on 15 October between Thai and Cambodian troops along the disputed border area near the Preah Vihear temple (Khao Pra Viharn in Thai). On 2 and 3 April 2009, further hostilities were reported to have broken out at Veal Antri near Preah Vihear. We advise against all travel to the temple area. Although talks continue between the two countries, tensions remain. You should remain alert to the local situation when travelling in other border regions, and at land crossings between the two countries.
Disputes also exist over control of the Ta Moan and Ta Krabey temples, which lie close to the Thai-Cambodia border. There has been no fighting in these areas, but we recommend that you should avoid them.
Cambodia remains heavily affected by land mines and unexploded ordnance. Mined areas are frequently unmarked. You should therefore not stray off main routes in rural areas, including around temple complexes.
Seasonal flooding occurs both in Phnom Penh and in the rest of Cambodia, particularly between the end of July and November. Travel to some provinces can be seriously disrupted during this time.
Some visitors have reported local officials at land border entry points imposing unofficial fees or inflating visa prices. You should inform yourself about the correct visa requirements and fees before travel.
Road Travel
A Cambodian driver’s license is required to drive in Cambodia, including to drive motorcycles. Holders of International Driving Permits can apply for one at a cost of US $25. Some local travel agencies can arrange a licence for an additional administrative fee. Driving without a licence may invalidate your travel insurance in the event of an accident. Drivers not in possession of a valid Cambodian driver’s licence have had motorcycles impounded with the police imposing a hefty charge for release. You are advised not to use your passport as security for motorcycle rental.
The majority of roads in Cambodia are in a very poor condition. Travel after dark significantly increases the risk of an accident. Hazards include overloaded vehicles, erratic driving, vehicles without lights and stray cattle.Cambodia has one of the highest rates of road traffic accidents in the region, resulting in high numbers of fatalities and serious injuries.
Due to the high number of accidents involving tourists on motorcycles in Siem Reap and in Sihanoukville, the local police periodically ban rental outlets from hiring motorcycles to tourists. The police are known to stop tourists on motorcycles to advise them to return bikes immediately occasionally also levying an unofficial on-the-spot fine.
You are advised against travelling as a passenger by motorcycle taxi because of poor road and vehicle maintenance, the low level of driver skills and the risk of bag snatching. However, if you travel by motor cycle you are advised to take precautions including the use of an international-standard helmet and protective clothing as either a driver or passenger. A helmet is required by law, and the police began enforcing on-the-spot fines. You should also ensure that your insurance policy provides coverage for riding motorcycles either as a driver or as passenger.
For more general information see Driving Abroad.Rail Travel
There are no scheduled passenger trains operating. You should not ride on the occasional goods trains. Trains and rail track are poorly maintained which increases the risk of accidents.
Air Travel
A charge of $25 per person is levied on departure for passengers on international flights. A smaller charge may be levied for domestic flights.
Domestic air services in Cambodia are limited. Cambodia is currently unable to ensure that its airlines meet international safety standards.
Siem Reap Airways International has been refused permission to operate services to the EU because it does not comply with Cambodian civil aviation regulations and does not meet the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organisation. All flights previously operated by Siem Reap Airways International have been taken over by Bangkok Airways, which is not affected by the ban.
The Cambodian authorities suspended the operating licence of PMT Air until 12 April 2009 and revoked the licenses of four other carriers: Sarika Air Services, Royal Air Services, Royal Khmer Airlines and Imtrec Aviation. PMT Air has not yet applied for a renewed licence. You should be aware that there may also be safety risks associated with travel on Cambodian Government aircraft, including those operated by the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.
A list of carriers banned from the EU may be found at the following link: http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/air/safety/flywell_en.htm.
Further information on airlines is available from organisations such as the International Civil Aviation Organisation http://www.icao.int and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority http://www.casa.gov.au/airsafe/index.htm.
Sea/River Travel
Accidents have occurred due to overloaded or poorly maintained boats on all routes. Life-vests and other safety equipment are not routinely provided, even on modern vessels. Boat travel on rivers becomes difficult in the dry season (March – May).
There have been attacks against ships in the South China Sea and surrounding seas. Mariners should be vigilant; reduce opportunities for theft; establish secure areas on-board; and report all incidents to the coastal and Flag State authorities.
For more general information see River and Sea Safety.
Local laws and customs
The sexual abuse of children is a serious crime. The UK and Cambodian authorities are committed to combating travelling child sex offenders. Those arrested and convicted can expect to receive long sentences in a Cambodian prison where facilities are very poor. The UK has no prisoner transfer agreement with Cambodia and those found guilty can expect to serve their full prison term in Cambodia. Legislation in the UK, The Sex Offenders Act 1997, can be used to prosecute in the UK those who commit sex offences against children abroad and has been used successfully in cases of British nationals who have committed such offences in Cambodia.
Penalties for drug offences, including those involving Class C, drugs are severe. Prison sentences can be long and served in grim conditions. In addition to the criminal penalties, you should be aware that drugs have been the cause of a number of deaths of travellers in Cambodia. These are suspected to be a result of the high purity, or adulteration by unknown substances, of the drugs involved.
You should not take photographs in or near airports or military bases. You should ask permission before taking pictures of members of the public especially monks and other religious figures. When entering religious and cultural sites it is a courtesy to dress in appropriate clothing. You are expected to remove your shoes when entering temples and private accommodation.
Entry requirements
You need a visa for Cambodia. Visas for Cambodia can be obtained on arrival at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap International airports and some other border points. The current price is US $20 for a one-month tourist visa. A tourist visa can be extended for one extra month. A business visa costs US $25 for one month and can be renewed indefinitely. Two passport photographs are required and should be brought with you. The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs operates an electronic visa ("e-Visa") facility for tourist visas only. The e-Visa costs US $20. Applications should be made through the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website: http://evisa.mfaic.gov.kh, where full terms and conditions of the e-Visa are also listed.
You should ensure that your passport is stamped on arrival, especially if you cross over a land border. Those that overstay their authorised visa can expect a fine calculated on an incremental daily rate, currently $5 per day for the first 30 days. Stays in excess of 30 days attract fines of $6 per day. Additionally, you will be expected to pay for the visa extension that you should have sought. We are aware of some instances of travellers being imprisoned and deported at their own expense for overstaying their visa. The London Embassy of the Kingdom of Cambodia can be contacted at the Royal Embassy of Cambodia, 64 Brondesbury Park, Willesden Green, London NW6 7AT (tel: 020-8451 7850); (fax: 020-8451 7594); (email address: cambodianembassy@btconnect.com; (website:The Royal Cambodian Embassy).
Passport validity
Passports should have minimum three-month validity beyond your intended date of departure.
Departure tax
You should be aware that the US$25 airport departure tax is not included in your ticket, and is payable on departure from Phnom Penh and Siem Reap international airports. Domestic flights attract a tax of US $6.
Travelling with children
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration, please contract the Royal Cambodian Embassy in London.
Overland Border Crossings
You are advised to check local conditions with reputable travel agencies before you set out to cross some of the more remote border crossings as matters are subject to change with little notice. Conditions can be basic with few facilities at the more remote crossings. Both Vietnam and Laos require visas for onward travel from Cambodia. Visas for these countries cannot be obtained at many border points.
Entry from Thailand
Visas can be obtained on arrival in Cambodia from Thailand at most border crossings. There are currently six overland entry points from Thailand: Poipet, Koh Kong, O Smach, Anlong Veng, Phsar Prom Pailin and Daung Lem. The most popular entry point for tourists heading for Siem Reap and Angkor Wat is Poipet. With the recent addition of new entry points from Cambodia to Vietnam the southernmost entry point from Thailand, at Koh Kong, is becoming increasingly popular with travellers. Route 48 from Koh Kong to Sre Amble has recently been upgraded and, with the addition of new bridges, this has reduced journey times.
Visas to enter Thailand from Cambodia can be obtained at the border. See travel advice for Thailand.
Entry from Vietnam
Visas can now be obtained on arrival in Cambodia from Vietnam at most border crossings. There are currently eight overland entry points from Vietnam: Bavet, Kaam Samnor, Phnom Den, Trapeang Phlong, Prek Chak, O Yadaw, Trapeang Srer and Banteay Chakrey. Please note that a visa to enter Vietnam from Cambodia must be obtained prior to arrival at the border. See travel advice for Vietnam.
Visas can now be obtained on arrival in Cambodia from Laos at the Dom Krolor checkpoint. There is also a river checkpoint at Vern Kham (9 km from the road checkpoint) but visas cannot be obtained directly from this border crossing. Please note that a visa to enter Laos from Cambodia must be obtained prior to arrival at the border.
Health
There are no proper mental health care facilities in Cambodia and professional treatment including medication, if available at all, is difficult and expensive to obtain. Emergency mental health treatment is likely to require an air ambulance transfer to a country offering appropriate facilities.
The administrative processes for dealing with deaths in Cambodia is very different to that of the UK. For more information, please visit the Consular pages of the British Embassy, Phnom Penh.
There has recently been a steady and prolonged increase in the number of dengue fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever cases in Cambodia, due to an earlier-than-usual start to the wet season, and there have been a number of deaths. Dengue fever is transmitted by mosquitoes, which are present near standing water, and are active during the day. It is also prevalent in both rural and urban areas (including, in particular, Phnom Penh). There is no vaccination against dengue fever, but there are preventive measures that you can take, as advised on the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website.
Malaria is also present in rural areas of Cambodia. If you are planning to travel outside the major towns, you should seek advice from your GP on the need for malaria prevention tablets and take other preventive measures, as advised on the NaTHNaC website.
In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 70,000 adults aged 15 or over in Cambodia were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.8% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to Cambodia and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Heath Network and Centre NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
A (H1N1) influenza - Swine Influenza
There is human A (H1N1) - Influenza in Cambodia, and increased surveillance and control measures are in place. Thermal scanning is in operation at Cambodian airports, and all travellers arriving on international flights are required to complete a questionnaire about their recent travel and medical history. Passengers with a temperature of over 38°C, or who exhibit influenza symptoms, are being referred for further diagnosis. Any person with suspected A (H1N1) will be kept isolated under medical supervision at their home or hotel in the first instance. Those exhibiting serious symptoms or who are unable to be isolated elsewhere will be quarantined in a public hospital.
If you experience flu like symptoms while visiting Cambodia you should telephone the Ministry of Health advice line - 115 from any mobile phone - who will be able to provide guidance and assistance.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html has further details. You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/swine-flu. Guidance on Pandemic Flu is available on the UK Department of Health website at: http://www.dh.gov.uk.
Avian Influenza
There have been outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in poultry in Cambodia (most recently in December 2008). This has led to a small number of human infections, most recently a single case in November 2008. There have been a number of fatalities, the last being in April 2007. The cases are all believed to have arisen through close contact with infected poultry.
The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low. However, as a precaution, you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned of the possibility that the Avian Influenza outbreaks could lead at some point to a human flu pandemic, if the virus mutates to a form, that is easily transmissible between people.
British nationals living longer term in an Avian-Influenza affected region should take personal responsibility for their own safety in the event of a future pandemic, including considering their access to adequate healthcare and ensuring travel documents are up to date.
General
We strongly recommend that comprehensive travel and medical insurance be obtained before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake, including cover for medical evacuation by air ambulance.
For more general information see Travel Insurance.
If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is How We Can Help.
Honorary Consuls
We have Honorary Consuls in both Sihanoukville and Siem Reap. They will only deal with emergency consular cases and cannot provide either passports or visas. To obtain their contact details please contact the British Embassy in Phnom Penh.
Issuing replacement passports
The British Embassy in Phnom Penh is only able to issue passports with a limited validity. Commercial couriers forward applications for full validity passports to the British Embassy in Bangkok for processing. Processing the application takes at least 10 working days, excluding the courier time. Applicants should therefore allow at least 15 working days for this service. The courier cost, of approximately US $43, will be added to the passport fee. If you are replacing a lost or stolen passport (rather than one that is full) you must also apply for a new exit visa from the Cambodian authorities. This can take up to three working days, and a fee may be charged.
You should keep a photocopy of your passport separate from the original and carry this with you at all times. Your passport, when not in your possession, should be stored in a secure location.
Registration
Money
ATMs are available in Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville and Siem Reap. Not all banks accept international cards and you should check with your own bank prior to travel as to whether your card may be used abroad.
Credit cards are not widely used, but a few hotels and businesses in larger cities accept them. Travellers cheques can be exchanged at many banks and bureaux de change.
The local currency is Cambodian Riel although US dollars are widely accepted all over the country. In practice, US dollars are used for most transactions over US$1. In certain border areas with Thailand it is possible to use Thai Baht.
You may have difficulty in changing Northern Irish and Scottish bank notes although it should be possible to change Sterling.
Consular responsibilities
The British Embassy in Phnom Penh also has consular responsibility for Commonwealth citizens whose countries are not represented in Cambodia and citizens of the Netherlands, Sweden, Ireland, Lithuania, Malta, Cyprus and the Czech Republic. We advise nationals of all these countries to register at the British Embassy in Phnom Penh through the LOCATE service.
Review of the Temporary suspension of adoptions of Cambodian children by UK residents
The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) conducted a review of the temporary suspension of adoptions of Cambodian children by UK residents in 2007/08, the findings of which were published on 2 April 2008. Following the review, the government decided to maintain a ban on adoptions of children from Cambodia by UK residents. Further information is available from the DCSF's website.
