Safety Tips in Siem Reap
Generally the Siem Reap area and the temples of Angkor are relatively safe. But beware of these scams when you travel around Siem Reap or Cambodia. Some of them take place at the overland border crossings, especially at Koh Kong and Poipet.
Scams
Scam 1:
Some Khao San Road based companies sell bus tickets promising transport from Bangkok to Siem Reap via Poipet. However, the bus goes through the more isolated Pailin crossing, where passengers are subjected to more scams (such as extra transport charges, overpriced visas, change to inferior transport, etc).
Scams 2:
Drivers and touts may insist that you’ll need their help to get visas. These drivers will then charge you a fee to process the visa. This is NOT true as you can process the visa yourself.
Scam 3:
Immigration police may try to ask 100-300 baht for the visa, or charge 100 baht for the normally FREE entry / exit stamp. Try asking for a receipt.
Scam 4:
While visiting the temples, beware the off-duty police officers who are still in their uniforms. They may start walking beside you and start showing you around the temples. At this point, either say you would like to see the temple yourself or agree at a price from the start. (there have been cases where the visitors were asked for a fee of US$10).
Other safety tips
- When dealing with immigration officials, there is usually “room for polite explanation and bargaining.” One possible way is to smile, say “no thank you”, smile some and perhaps act like you do not understand. Avoid flatly rejecting what they are asking for, and worse, showing anger or quarreling with them.
- Siem Reap and the Angkor temples have long since been thoroughly demined.
