Cambodia

Country profile

KEY FACTS

Capital : Phnom Penh

Language : The official and predominant language is Khmer. Various minority languages are also spoken.

Ethnic Groups : Cambodians constitute an ethnically homogenous group. There are Vietnamese, Laotian and Chinese minorities.

Religion : The principal religion is Buddhism (official religion since 1986). There is also a Muslim minority (Cham).

Time Zone : GMT +7

Climate : Tropical, humid climate with a rainy season between May and November. Heaviest rainfall in September-October. Dry season between December and April.

Telephone dialing code : (+) 855

Currency : Riel

Terrorism/Security

There is an underlying threat from terrorism in Cambodia. Attacks, although unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. On 29 July 2007 two small explosive devices were found (a third exploded) at the Cambodian/Vietnamese Friendship Monument (off Sothearos Boulevard) in Phnom Penh.
There have been incidents of politically motivated violence. However, these do not appear to have been aimed specifically at foreigners. You should avoid crowds and political gatherings.

Local Laws and Customs
You are advised to keep away from large gatherings, demonstrations and political meetings. You should also avoid expressing forcible opinions on Cambodian politics or culture.
You should never get involved with drugs; penalties for drug offences including those involving Class C drugs are severe. Prison sentences can be long and served in grim conditions.
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 sites it is a courtesy to dress in appropriate clothing, avoiding shorts and torn clothing. You are expected to remove your shoes when entering temples and private accommodation.

Crime

You should be aware of the risk of robbery and other crime (including sexual offences) especially in Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville and Siem Reap, particularly after dark. You should take sensible precautions and be on your guard against pickpockets and bag snatchers especially when travelling around the cities.

There is no public transport system. Travel is by privately owned Tuk-Tuks or motorcycle taxi (moto) for which you have to negotiate the fare. Travel between the larger cities is by coach, minibus or taxi. You are advised to remain vigilant against petty theft should when using transportation.

Since June 2008, there is an increase in reports of foreign nationals who have been mugged when walking in downtown Phnom Penh by thieves brandishing knives and guns. Foreigners have also been victims of random street crime in other cities in Cambodia and have had bags, cameras and mobile phones snatched or have been mugged both after dark and increasingly during daylight hours.

ATMs have been installed in Phnom Penh and other cities, and you are urged to take care when withdrawing cash and to be aware of your surroundings. Travel by car will reduce the risk as will limiting night time travel around Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville and Siem Reap to well-lit public areas.

You are urged to avoid isolated areas after dark, including beaches in the Sihanoukville area, where there have been an increasing number of violent incidents. There are high levels of firearm ownership in Cambodia and guns are sometimes used to resolve disputes. However, these disputes rarely involve foreigners.

Sexual offences have taken place against foreigners in various locations.

Banditry and extortion, including cases involving poorly disciplined military and police personnel, continue in some rural areas, particularly at night in areas between Snoul, Kratie and Stung Treng in the north eastern provinces.

There have been a small number of grenade / bomb attacks, although most have been linked to business or personal disputes. There is no evidence to suggest that Western interests have been the targets of these attacks. However, there is a danger foreigners might get caught up in any further attacks.

Some foreigners have reported local officials at land border entry points imposing unofficial fees or inflating visa prices. You are advised to use caution.

Travel

Visa Requirements
You need a visa for Cambodia. Visas for Cambodia can be obtained on arrival at Phnom Peng and Siem Reap International airports and some other border points. The current price is US $20 for a one-month tourist visa. A business visa costs US $25 for one month and can be renewed indefinitely. Two passport photographs are required. The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched an electronic visa ("e-Visa") facility for tourist visas only. The e-Visa costs US $20 with a US $5 processing charge. You should ensure that your passport is stamped on arrival, especially if you cross over a land border.
Passports should have minimum three-month validity beyond your intended length of stay.

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.

Consular Registration
Register with your embassy to tell them when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so your consular embassy can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.
You should carry your passport at all times. We therefore advise that you keep a photocopy of your passport in a safe place. This will help you to obtain a replacement, in case your passport is lost or stolen.

Insurance
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive medical and travel insurance before travelling. This should include cover for medical treatment and accidents. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.

Money
ATMs are available at certain banks 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 can be used abroad.
Major hotels and businesses in larger cities should accept credit cards. 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.

Driving (Left/Right) : Right

Road Safety
A Cambodian driver’s license is required to drive in Cambodia. Holders of International Driving Permits can apply for one at a cost of US $25. Some local travel agencies can arrange for an additional administrative fee. Drivers not in possession of a valid Cambodian driver’s licence have had motorcycles impounded with the police imposing a hefty charge for release. As many rental outlets often require the deposit of passports as security this can be very expensive and you are advised not to use your passport as security.
The majority of roads in Cambodia are in a very poor condition. Travel after dark significantly increases the risk of an accident. Vehicles often do not have lights and cattle stray onto roads. Overloaded vehicles coupled with erratic driving skills make road traffic accidents (RTAs) potentially the greatest risk to visitors.

Air Safety

Domestic air services in Cambodia are limited. Evidence suggests that Cambodia is unable to ensure that its airlines meet international safety standards. As no airlines from Cambodia operate to the EU it has not been possible to assess their safety standards. Prefer flying Siem Reap or Bangkok Airways.
On 25 June 2007, a PMT Air flight crashed between Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. In May 2006, the civil aviation authorities issued a warning to PMT Air for failing to report within 24 hours a mid-flight engine failure that forced a plane to return to Phnom Penh. In November 2005 a PMT Air flight overshot the runway at Banlung. 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.

Sea/River Safety

Accidents have occurred due to overloaded or poorly maintained boats on all routes. Even modern vessels may be overcrowded and life-vests and other safety equipment are not routinely provided. Boats operating on Cambodia’s inland waterways are also susceptible to robbery by armed gangs. 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 onboard; and report all incidents to the coastal and Flag State authorities.

Rail Safety

We advise against travelling by train. Trains and rail track are poorly maintained which increases the risk of accidents.

Local Travel

The sovereignty of land adjacent to the Preah Vihear temple on the Cambodian/Thai border is the subject of some dispute. Military forces from both countries have been deployed there and tensions are high. The temple is currently closed to visitors and you should avoid the area.
Cambodia remains heavily affected by landmines 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 the rest of Cambodia starting at the end of July or early August and continuing until November. Travel to some provinces can be seriously disrupted during this time.

Natural Disasters

Nothing to Report

Health

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and health insurance before travelling to Cambodia. This should cover the cost of medical treatment, including hospitalisation and evacuation by air ambulance. You should also ensure that your insurance covers unexpected losses or expenses such as lost luggage, stolen cash and credit cards, missed flights, etc. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.

Disease
Malaria and dengue fever are common to Cambodia. You should also be aware that food hygiene is often poor and mains water unfit to drink.
You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS.

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
There have been outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in poultry in Cambodia. This has led to a small number of human fatalities believed to have arisen through close contact with infected poultry. Since the end of 2003, a number of human deaths have also occurred in Azerbaijan, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Laos, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam.
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.

Medical Supplies and facilities
Public health facilities in Cambodia are very poor. Private clinics in Phnom Penh are often better equipped but are of variable quality and can be expensive. The standards maintained by Cambodian emergency services are poor in comparison to the western standards and evacuation is recommended for medical emergencies. Hospitals are not recommended for anything but immediate stabilisation prior to an air medical evacuation or for minor medical concerns. Local pharmacies provide a limited supply of medications, but because the quality of locally obtained medications can vary greatly you should bring adequate supplies for the duration of your stay.
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. Such treatment is likely to require an air ambulance transfer to the nearest place which offers appropriate mental health facilities.

Landmines

For more information on landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW), consult the Landmine Monitor, a research and monitoring initiative of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) and the de facto monitoring regime for the Mine Ban Treaty. It independently and impartially monitors and reports on the use of mines by the different actors (Government, Non-State armed groups). It also provides information about identification, marking and fencing of affected areas as well as updated landmines and ERW casualties.

Go to the Landmine Monitor