Cambodia Health and Safety

As memories of war grow ever more distant, Cambodia has become a much safer country in which to travel, remembering the golden rule - stick to marked paths in remote areas! Check on the latest situation before making a trip off the beaten track, particularly if travelling by motorbike.

Never, ever touch rockets, artillery shells, mortars, mines, bombs or other war material. Cambodia is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world with an estimated four to six million of these 'enemies within' littering the countryside. Do not stray from well-marked paths under any circumstances, as even stepping from the roadside in some places could have very nasty consequences. Mine-clearing organisations are working throughout the country to clear these arbitrary assassins, but even so, the most common way a landmine is discovered is when someone loses a limb.

Given the number of guns in Cambodia, there's less armed theft than one might expect. Still, hold-ups and motorcycle theft are a potential danger in Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville. There's no need to be paranoid, just cautious. Walking or riding alone late at night is not ideal, certainly not in rural areas. Pickpocketing isn't a huge problem, but it pays to be careful.

Your health is more at risk in Cambodia than most other parts of Southeast Asia, due to poor sanitation and a lack of effective medical treatment facilities. Once you venture into rural areas you should consider yourself very much on your own, as even where pharmacies and hospitals are available you may have trouble making yourself understood. If you feel particularly unwell, try to see a doctor rather than visit a hospital; hospitals are pretty primitive and diagnosis can be hit and miss.