Tourist Info

Dangers & Annoyances

The chaotic traffic and possible health risks do take their toll, especially for those unable to afford effective health care. Despite the country’s (Khmer Rouge leftover) reputation of being a dangerous country, Cambodia is relatively safe.

Land mines

The country is riddled with land mines – a deadly leftover from the harsh Khmer Rouge regime – especially along the Thai border. CMAC (Cambodian Mines Action Center), MAG (Mines Advisory Group) and The Halo Trust have been clearing mines for decades, and will continue to do so. A big thank you to all these guys who have drastically reduced land mine incidents!

Tourist areas have been declared safe, beyond that, stay on the beaten path. Red triangular signs with “danger land mines” indicate areas you should certainly avoid.

Theft

Bag snatching and theft of valuable items does occur around the country, but is more prevalent in Phnom Penh.

Leave your valuables locked up in your hotel safe and avoid flaunting your wealth.

Beggars & sellers

Land mine victims, disabled, elderly people, mothers with babies or just children, a lot of people ask for a financial gift (or purchase their wares) to help see them through the day. Cambodia utterly lacks social security and the less fortunate rely on their family for support. Those without family resort to begging if employment is not an option. Khmers – even those with very limited income – will support people in need.

Please do not support child beggars or child sellers. Many of these children are controlled by adults in what is a very lucrative business. By supporting the kids, we are effectively supporting this nasty trade and keeping the kids on the streets with very dire future prospects.

There are numerous organisations such as Friends and Save The Children offering help to children in need.

Prostitution

Banned, punishable with a death sentence and virtually eliminated during the Khmer Rouge regime, prostitution nowadays is illegal but prevalent, especially in Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville.

Contrary to popular belief, the Cambodian sex industry mainly caters to the local population with some (but not all!) karaoke venues (‘KTV’) and massage parlours offering ‘happy endings’.

Counterfeit products

Household products, clothes and food are common counterfeit products and it’s not just the expensive goods; I have come across a counterfeit box of raisins. Watch out for fake medicine and precious stones (the north-west of Cambodia is renowned for its rubies and sapphires).

Dogs

Khmers have a different relationships with dogs than we are used to in western cultures. At night time, dogs are left outside protecting the property, sometimes forming packs. They can be vicious barkers but it’s not often they bite. Walk through their territory with confidence and you should be fine. However, if bitten, do visit a hospital as there may be a rabies risk.

Traffic

Arguably the most dangerous aspect of Cambodia: traffic. While there appear to be no road rules, there most certainly are – they are different to what we are used to in the west. Overloaded vehicles, drink driving, using a phone while driving and driving on the wrong side of the road are common occurrences. Watch out!

A few to road rules:

• The larger vehicle has right of way, no matter from which direction they approach you;
• Before a left-turn, one will move over to the far left side of the road, turn a short corner and move back again to the correct side of the road;
• You do not have right of way on a roundabout (unless you are the larger vehicle)

Corruption

We prefer to call it commission; for a small fee people are happy to get things done for you.

Weddings & funerals

Big party tents placed on the road – sometimes blocking the entire width of the road – indicate that there is either a wedding or a funeral. The events start early morning with monks chanting over speakers. For funerals, the chanting continues throughout the day. Weddings have live music in the evening at interesting noise levels. It’s very much ‘live and let live’ in Cambodia, and nobody is perturbed by the noise pollution.

Politics

Politics is a subject best avoided.