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Here's some travel advice to keep you informed and safe when it comes to travel to Cambodia...
Terrorism
We continue to receive reports suggesting that terrorists are planning attacks against a range of targets in the region, including places frequented by foreigners.
Civil Unrest/Political Tension
We advise you to exercise caution and monitor developments that might affect your safety in Cambodia because of the risk of civil unrest and violent criminal activity. Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
The security situation in Cambodia remains volatile, particularly at times of political tensions. You should avoid public gatherings or demonstrations, particularly near political party offices, the National Assembly building and military buildings or compounds, as they may turn violent.
Crime
There is a degree of criminal lawlessness in Cambodia. Frequent incidents of property crime targeting foreigners continue in Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville and Siem Reap. Several foreigners have been injured in the course of these incidents, a number of which have included the use of weapons or pulling passengers from moving motorbike taxis. You should limit night time travel around Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville and Siem Reap to well-lit public areas and travel in groups. It is safer to travel by car rather than motorbike or cyclo (cycle-rickshaw) at night.
Foreigners have been the target of sexual assault in Cambodia.
There are high levels of firearm ownership in Cambodia and guns are sometimes used to resolve disputes. When these disputes occur in public, there is a risk that bystanders could be injured. Foreign tourists have been threatened, including with handguns, for perceived slights to local patrons in popular Phnom Penh nightclubs and elsewhere.
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.
Local Travel
Cambodia remains one of the most heavily mined countries in the world. The area inside Cambodia along the border with Thailand is especially dangerous. Large areas of rural Cambodia are still contaminated with unexploded ordnance (UXO). Visitors to the more remote temples and tourist sites in the north and north-west of Cambodia should not stray from clearly marked pathways.
Travel by roads, especially at night, is dangerous because of poor road and vehicle maintenance and the risk of crime. You should take precautions including the use of a helmet and protective clothing when travelling on a motorcycle or moto-scooter as either a driver or passenger.
Given the predominant use of motor cycles for urban public transport, you should ensure that your insurance policy provides coverage for riding motorcycles either as a driver or passenger.
Public transport, particularly trains, is poorly maintained.
Travel to outlying temples in Siem Reap and elsewhere is possible but you should enquire with the Australian Embassy in Phnom Penh about the current security situation and accessibility before travelling to these areas. Travel by air to Siem Reap to visit the Angkor Temples is generally safer than other forms of transport although road conditions to Siem Reap have improved.
Domestic air services in Cambodia are limited. Air travel to Ratanakiri, in the north-east of the country, is preferable to overland travel because of security concerns and the extremely poor road conditions in the region. Air service to Mondulkiri and Stung Treng has been discontinued indefinitely.
You should be aware of concerns about the safety and maintenance standards of aircraft owned by local airlines operating internal flights, as evidenced by a November 2005 crash of an Royal Phnom Penh Airways plane. These flights are often cancelled or rescheduled at short notice.
There may be safety risks associated with travel on Royal Cambodian Government aircraft, including those managed by the Royal Cambodia Air Force.
Travel by boat in Cambodia can involve safety risks as even modern vessels may be overcrowded, lack basic safety equipment and be susceptible to robbery by armed gangs.
Piracy occurs in the coastal areas of Cambodia. See our travel advice on shipping and ports for more information. The International Maritime Bureau issues weekly piracy reports on its web site.
Natural Disasters
There is seasonal flooding in Cambodia from late July to November. Travel to some provinces can be disrupted by flooding during this time.
Further information on natural disasters, including flooding in Cambodia, is available from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.
Local Law and Customs
Travellers are reminded that when overseas, they are subject to local laws. Local laws and legal processes can be very different from those at home. A violation of local laws may result in a jail sentence, served in a local prison. Consular assistance cannot override local law, even where local laws may appear harsh or unjust by your standards.
Penalties for drug offences, including those involving "soft drugs", are severe and include lengthy imprisonment in local jails.
Photographing members of the public without prior permission, especially monks and other religious figures, is regarded with suspicion. You should also avoid photographing near sensitive sites such as military zones, assets or personnel, transportation facilities and government buildings.
Entry and Exit Requirements
Visa conditions change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Cambodia or the Cambodia Department of Immigration on (678) 22 354 for the most up to date information.
Your passport must have at least six months validity remaining when you arrive in Cambodia. Local immigration authorities may deny entry and deport people who do not meet this requirement, even if they intend staying only for a short period.
Cambodia/Thailand border: Six legal international border crossing points are open for foreign travellers on the Cambodia/Thailand border at Cham Yeam (Koh Kong), O'Smach, Poipet, Prum, Dong and Caom. The international border crossing points at Bavet, Phnom Den and Khmorm Samnor on the Mekong River on the Cambodia/Vietnam border are also open to foreigners. Visas can be obtained at the international crossing points at Bavet in Svay Rieng Province and Khmorm Samnor on the Mekong River. Obtaining the appropriate entry/exit documentation in advance is still required for the Phnom Den crossing point in Takeo province.
Cambodia/Laos Border: The Lao side of the border crossing at Dong Krolor/Veun Kham on the Cambodia/Laos border is often closed to foreign travellers with little notice. If you are travelling to Laos from Cambodia, you must hold a valid Lao visa as they are not issued at the border. Travellers entering Cambodia from Laos must also obtain a Cambodian visa before travelling to the border. The border crossing is in an isolated location 50 km to the north of the Cambodian provincial centre of Stung Treng. It is not serviced by public transport, although rudimentary and unreliable private motor bike and truck services run to Stung Treng.
Health Issues
Avian Influenza: The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.
Since July 2005, there have been human cases of avian influenza in Cambodia. The Department of Health and Ageing advises Australians who reside in Cambodia for an extended period to consider, as a precautionary measure, having access to influenza antiviral medicine for treatment. Long term residents are at a greater risk of exposure to avian influenza over time. Medical advice should be sought before antiviral medicines are commenced.
Those intending to travel to Cambodia for shorter periods are at much lower risk of infection but should discuss the risk of avian influenza with their doctor as part of their routine pre-travel health checks.
If the avian influenza virus mutates to a form where efficient human-to-human transmission occurs, it may spread quickly and local authorities could move quickly to impose restrictions on travel. Australian travellers and long-term residents in Cambodia should be prepared to take personal responsibility for their own safety and well-being, including deciding when to leave an affected area and ensuring they have appropriate contingency plans in place. Australians in Cambodia should monitor the travel advice and bulletin for updated information and advice, and ensure that their travel documents, including passports and visas for any non-Australian family members, are up to date in case they need to depart at short notice.
In September 2005 the Australian Government decided as a precautionary measure to hold a limited supply of the antiviral medicine oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and protective face masks at its embassy in Cambodia. The antivirals would primarily be used to protect emergency staff providing consular and other essential services in the event of a widespread outbreak of avian influenza amongst humans. Australian missions will not be in a position to provide influenza antiviral medicines to Australians in affected areas and it is the responsibility of individual Australians to secure their own supply of such medicines (such as Tamiflu or Relenza) if required.
Health and medical services in Cambodia are poor and very limited. Air evacuation is likely to be required in cases of serious illness or accident. Outside the capital there are almost no medical facilities equipped to deal with medical emergencies.
HIV/AIDS, dengue fever and malaria are endemic in Cambodia.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about immunisations
and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides useful
tips for staying healthy while travelling overseas.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time youll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, if you cant afford travel insurance, you cant afford to travel.
Source: Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade
If you're gonna travel abroad, make sure you are prepared... take it from us, travel insurance is an absolute must!
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