Published: February 19, 2025
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Cambodia Travel Advisory and Cambodia Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh
#1, St. 96 (entrance on St. 51 between St. 96 and 102), Sangkat Wat Phnom, Kuan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh
Tel: +855-23-728-402
After-hours emergency: +855-23-728-000. Hours: Monday through Friday 0800-1700.
OSAC Country Chapters
The Phnom Penh OSAC Chapter is currently active.
Contact OSAC’s Asia team with any questions.
Cambodia Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise normal precautions in Cambodia. Exercise increased precautions in Phnom Penh due to crime; and in very remote areas of Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Pursat, Siem Reap, Pailin, and Kampong Thom provinces due to land mines and unexploded ordinance.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Phnom Penh as being a HIGH-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Cambodia, indicating that there may be widespread violent crime and/or organized crime present in the country, and/or that local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond to serious crimes.
The crime emergency line in Cambodia is 117.
Most crimes are opportunistic property crimes committed for financial gain, such as cell phone or motorbike thefts. Although criminals specifically target Westerners for crimes motivated by financial gain, perpetrators rarely seek to intentionally use violence or cause physical harm. Nevertheless, criminals will not hesitate to use violence at the first sign of resistance; it is recommended to avoid any physical confrontation.
Military weapons and explosives are readily available to criminals despite authorities’ efforts to collect and destroy such weapons. The Embassy is aware of multiple instances of Chinese organized crime entities conducting heavily armed, military-style abductions, kidnappings, and murders, usually of other organized crime figures.
The most common type of theft is “snatch and grab” robbery, and anything that can be quickly grabbed is at risk: cameras, jewelry, purses, backpacks, mobile phones, etc. Exercise caution and keep belongings out of sight if you travel via “tuk-tuk,” as passengers in these open-air vehicles have been targeted by thieves. If walking along the street, carry bags or items in your hand or on the shoulder that is furthest from the street. If someone attempts a robbery, surrender your valuables immediately, since any perceived resistance may be met with physical violence, including lethal force. The U.S. Embassy has received reports of violent robberies escalating into fatalities.
Pickpockets, some who are masquerading as beggars, are present in the markets and at the tourist sites. Sometimes they may act overly friendly, placing their hand on a shoulder or back to distract in order to pickpocket.
Foreigners travelling to Cambodia should be aware of common scams targeting tourists. The Embassy has received reports of U.S. citizens, especially at budget massage parlors, having their U.S. currency replaced with counterfeit currency, even if it is stored in an ostensibly locked area. Another common scam involves tuktuk drivers asking to use a passenger’s phone for navigation, then pretending to drop it. When the passenger gets out to recover the phone they find it is a fake or older phone and that the tuktuk driver has fled with the passenger’s phone and belongings.
Though not common, the Embassy has received reports of U.S. citizens’ drinks being drugged at bars in order to incapacitate them for theft or sexual assault. Adulterated or counterfeit alcohol is also a concern and has caused the deaths of several tourists in the region. Do not accept drinks from strangers, do not leave drinks unattended, and do not drink from containers not opened in your presence or with suspect markings.
The U.S. Embassy advises citizens to be wary of scams involving individuals claiming they are in Cambodia and need financial assistance from the United States. The Embassy has determined that many of these requests are fraudulent. There are numerous confirmed reports of large-scale scam operations in Cambodia. These operations have been reported to lure non-Cambodians with false promises of gainful employment. Victims of this false recruitment have then been made to participate in the online/phone-based financial confidence scams.
There have been numerous reports of visitors receiving fake or novelty $50 and $100 bills in Cambodia. When receiving money, count and examine the money while still in the presence of the provider. The fake money typically has a different feel than real U.S. currency, and usually has markings that indicate it is for novelty purposes. If you discover a suspicious bill, refuse it and ask for a different bill. $100 bills should be examined carefully before being accepted, and serial numbers should be recorded before using them to pay, even at restaurants.
If you are visiting Cambodia, you should practice sound personal security awareness by varying your routes and routines, maintaining a low profile, not carrying or displaying large amounts of cash, not wearing flashy or expensive jewelry, and not walking alone after dark. In addition, you should travel by automobile and not use local moto-taxis or cyclos (passenger-carrying bicycles). These vehicles are more vulnerable to armed robberies and offer no protection against injury when involved in traffic accidents.
Although gambling and casinos are legal in Cambodia, the U.S. Embassy strongly encourages all travelers to be cautious in choosing to visit casinos or related gambling centers in Cambodia. The U.S. Embassy is aware of numerous reported incidents at casinos throughout Cambodia. In the past year, these incidents such as fires at casinos resulting in multiple fatalities, violent assaults, murders, and suicides under suspicious circumstances have occurred.
Criminal activities of all types are more common in the cities, but crime can and does happen anywhere. The U.S. Embassy advises its personnel who travel to the provinces outside of Phnom Penh to exercise caution outside the provincial towns at all times. Many rural parts of the country remain without effective policing. Avoid walking alone after dusk anywhere in Sihanoukville, especially along the waterfront. Be particularly vigilant during annual festivals and at tourist sites in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville, where there have been marked increases in motorcycle “snatch and grab” thefts of bags and purses.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Cambodia.
The kidnapping threat throughout Cambodia is low. However, threat of isolation in the remote provinces is slightly higher. Travelers to these remote areas should share their planned itineraries with friends, relatives, or hotel staff, with specific instructions regarding steps to take if the traveler does not return by the expected date.
Some U.S. citizens have reported threats of personal injury, extortion, detention, or kidnapping related to personal business disputes, in particular those involving real estate. If you are planning to engage in real estate or other significant financial transactions, please proceed with caution and retain the appropriate legal counsel.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Phnom Penh as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Cambodia.
No local, regional, or international terrorist groups pose a specific threat to Cambodia or to U.S. government interests in Cambodia. However, international terrorist groups and their associates, as well as those inspired by these groups, are intent on attacking U.S. citizens wherever they may find them. Extremists may use conventional or non-conventional weapons to target U.S. government and private interests.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Cambodia as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Cambodia. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
The ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) has been in power for 45 years, and recently transition power from long time Prime Minister Hun Sen to his son, Hun Manet. The CPP routinely uses the levers of government, especially the judiciary and police, to intimidate journalists, government critics and opposition parties by charging and sentencing opposition leaders with crimes, including corruption, treason, and defamation. Provincial governments have stifled political debate by refusing to grant permits for civil society and opposition party members to demonstrate or gather. Following local elections in 2017, in which the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) came close to winning a majority of votes, the Cambodian government launched an anti-democratic crackdown, outlawing the CNRP and arresting its leader on charges of treason, banning several domestic and international NGOs while intimidating others, and shuttering or severely restricting many independent media outlets. Local elections in 2022 resulted in a landslide victory for the ruling CPP, amid widespread arrests of opposition leadership and supporters. Cambodia held national elections in 2023; the large opposition party, the Candlelight Party, was barred from running in the election. The CPP won 120 of 125 available seats. Prime Minister Hun Sen stepped down and, his son, Hun Manet, was sworn in as prime minister in August 2024.
Protests & Demonstrations
Freedom of speech, assembly and association are guaranteed in the Cambodian constitution, but the government seeks to prevent and harshly reacts to any criticism of the government or officials. Planned protests and demonstrations have led to quick and wide ranging arrests of anyone involved, to include journalists, and a large police/military presence.
Claims of offshore funding for political purposes have been a constant source of irritation for the government, which has also claimed that opposition politicians in exile, backed by foreign money, are attempting to topple the government. Note that foreigners who join anti-government protests are subject to arrest and deportation.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
While the Cambodian government frequently uses the U.S. government as its favored target in the press, the public generally views the United States favorably. There is no specific anti-U.S. or anti-Western sentiment among the general population in Cambodia. There have been no incidents of anti-U.S. protests in Phnom Penh in the last several years.
Law Enforcement
The Cambodian National Police maintains internal security. The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces are responsible for external security and have some domestic security responsibilities. The National Police reports to the Ministry of Interior, while the armed forces report to the Ministry of National Defense. Civilian authorities maintain effective control over the security forces, which at times has threatened or used force against opponents of former Prime Minister Hun Manet and were generally perceived as an armed wing of the ruling party.
Police Response
Police capabilities, responsiveness, and professionalism are substandard compared to police in the United States. Local police units are often under-funded, under-staffed, poorly equipped, and poorly trained. Police corruption remains an issue. Many crimes go unreported. Police investigations, when they do occur, are often inadequate. Few police officers speak English. If a foreigner is the victim of a robbery, it is unlikely that the police will recover the stolen property. It has also been reported that some police stations charge foreigners between $20 and $100 to file a police report, and there have been attempts by police to extort money from foreigners accused of crimes.
Enforcement of traffic regulations is often haphazard or a means to solicit bribes. Police will often signal motorists to pull over and pay a spot fine. Low pay and low morale create an environment in which even bribes of a few dollars can make allegations disappear. Do not pay bribes, and do not comply with requests to pay on-the-spot fines. If an officer persists, comply with instructions, identify yourself as a U.S. citizen, and obtain the officer’s name and badge number. Politely ask to speak with a supervisor and/or request they take you to police headquarters for further processing.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Cambodia, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Cambodia.
Corruption was endemic in society and government. There were reports that police, prosecutors, investigating judges, and presiding judges took bribes from owners of both legal and illegal businesses.
The law prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention, and limits pretrial detention to a maximum of 18 months. However, the government did not observe these requirements.
Although the law provides for the privacy of residences and correspondence and prohibits illegal searches, NGOs report that police routinely conduct searches and seizures without warrants. The government allegedly continued to leak personal correspondence and recordings of telephone calls by opposition and civil society group leaders to government-aligned media.
The law provides criminal penalties for corruption by officials, but the government did not implement the law effectively. There were numerous reports of government corruption.
Cybersecurity
Cambodia is in the process of adopting several laws to increase the government’s ability to monitor and control internet traffic as well as penalize individuals – ranging from fines to potential jail time - who may post content subjectively deemed to violate the country’s laws. Those using Cambodia’s internet should be aware that they do not have the same rights to privacy or freedom of expression as they do in their home country and should use caution when making comments about the Cambodian government, the country’s national security, national elections, local culture, or other areas that can be perceived as critical of the government or the country. The government has arrested Cambodian nationals for online posts under the loosely defined term “incitement.”
The Cambodian government and private sector each has strong working relationships with the Chinese government and Chinese technology providers such as Huawei, ZTE, and others, and has taken steps to implement 5G in the country using these providers. Cambodia’s implementation of 5G may result in security vulnerabilities that allow for increased monitoring of local citizens and foreign nationals alike. Given this risk, network security managers, and those responsible for digital and cyber security, should familiarize themselves with the digital environment in the country to ensure they have a good understanding of their physical and cybersecurity posture.
Import/Export Restrictions
Cambodian customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Cambodia of items such as medications, firearms, antiquities, or ivory.
Cambodia charges a flat 10% value added tax on all imported goods. Cambodia also charges a special additional tax on certain imported goods. Cambodia levies an export tax of up to 50% on goods leaving the country. Importers and exporters alike must first register with Cambodia’s Department of Business Registration, under the Commerce Ministry. Cambodia uses the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) created under the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). To register with ASYCUDA, importers and exports need a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). To acquire a TIN, importers and exporters must register with the General Department of Taxation, under the Economy and Finance Ministry. Finally, importers and exporters must register with the General Department of Customs and Excise.
There are no restrictions on the import of satellite phones.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
