The Cambodian government officially recognizes holidays on November 9
(Independence Day) and the Water and Moon Festival (November 10 to November
13). The annual Water and Moon Festival itself
will take place in Phnom Penh on November 10-12. Several hundred thousand
people are expected to come to Phnom Penh for this event. During this period of
several holidays, employees should expect large crowds, travel delays, traffic
disruptions, and the potential for increased crime.
Traffic will be extremely heavy throughout the city, particularly in the
afternoon and evening hours, and local authorities will restrict traffic and
close some roads to control
crowds. Due to the extended holiday period, including days immediately
prior to and following official holidays, there is likely to be increased
congestion and security at Cambodian airports, leading to travel delays.
·
You should exercise caution in large crowds and leave the
area if you are concerned for your safety.
·
The ability of the local authorities to respond to
emergencies will be severely limited during the Water Festival due to traffic
and scheduled road closures.
·
The Embassy encourages you to remain alert to local
security developments by monitoring local news reports, and to be vigilant
regarding your personal security.
·
Petty crime such as pickpocketing and cell phone and
purse snatchings tend to increase during large holiday gatherings.
·
If you plan to take part in the Water Festival, limit the
amount of valuables you carry, maintain awareness of your surroundings, and
exercise caution. If challenged by
criminals, surrender your valuables immediately.
To avoid risk of theft of original documents, the Embassy advises you to
carry photocopies of your U.S. passport, driver’s license, and other important
documents, and leave the originals in a hotel safe or other secure place. Please note that the Embassy will be closed
on Monday, November 11 and Tuesday November 12, 2019. We will reopen for normal business hours on
Wednesday, November 13, 2019.
For further information about security in
Cambodia:
·
See the State Department's travel
website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Cambodia
Specific Information.
·
Enroll in the Smart
Traveler Enrollment Program
(STEP) to receive security
messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
·
Contact the U.S. Embassy
in Cambodia, located at No. 1, Street 96, Sangkat Wat Phnom, Khan Daun Penh,
Phnom Penh, at +855 (0)23 728 402 or + 855 (0)23 728 051, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm,
Monday through Friday. After-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is + 855
(0)23 728 000.
·
Call 1-888-407-4747
toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other
countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through
Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
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