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Anyone following the news coming out of Southeast Asia right now may be wondering whether Cambodia is a safe place to visit right . Protests against Hun Sen’s government have been ongoing since since August, with the masses voicing their frustration with the country’s ongoing corruption and nepotism. Most recently things turned violent after the military opened fire on garment factory protesters who were demanding a higher wage of $160/month. Five people were killed and dozens more wounded.
So what are the implications of this turmoil for travelers? The truth is, very little.
While it may seem like the country is coming to a boiling point, the reality on the ground is very different. Opposition protests are planned and announced in advance (they need to apply for a permit) and the recent violence in Phnom Penh was isolated in the garment district on the outskirts of the city. It didn’t directly affect those living and working in country’s capital.
It should be noted that while some of the protests have turned violent, that at no time were tourists targeted. Most Cambodians are well aware that tourism is a driving force behind the economy and are not interested in jeopardizing this source of income.
Currently, protests are concentrated in Phnom Penh, the country’s capital. Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Kep, Kampot as well as the North remain largely unaffected.
None-the-less, all visitors are being advised to avoid protest areas and any large gatherings and to keep aware of their surroundings.
Like all fledgling democracies, it remains to be seen what course the country will take over the next few weeks, months and even years. Like visiting any major city in the world, it is impossible to say that there is absolutely no risk in visiting Phnom Penh or Cambodia, but the risk of incident remains extremely low.
Our team on the ground in Cambodia are watching the situation closely (they live there after all!) and are dedicated to keeping our guests updated. As of now, there is no reason to leave the Kingdom of Wonder off your itinerary.