Is Phnom Penh Safe in January 2026?

Criminals on motorbikes snatch phones, bags, and cameras from pedestrians and tuk-tuk passengers in Phnom Penh. Australian Smartraveller and the US State Department both flag this as one of the most common crimes against visitors, with incidents increasing in 2024.

How to avoid: Hold bags on the side away from the road. Keep phones in pockets when not actively using them. Sit inside a tuk-tuk rather than on the outer edge. Be particularly alert near the riverfront and Russian Market.

Tuk-tuk drivers quote low initial fares then add charges, or take tourists to shops and restaurants that pay them a commission rather than the destination requested. Common from the airport and near the riverfront.

How to avoid: Agree on the exact fare to the exact destination before boarding. Use PassApp or Grab for transparent fixed pricing. Confirm your destination is understood by showing it on Google Maps.

Unofficial money changers near the Central Market and riverside tourist areas give fake bills mixed with legitimate currency, use sleight-of-hand to reduce count, or quote falsely favorable rates then shortchange tourists at handoff.

How to avoid: Use official banks or ATMs for currency exchange. If using street changers (not recommended), count money in full view before handing over passports or valuables. Request a written receipt.

A friendly stranger initiates conversation, builds rapport over hours, and eventually invites the tourist to a private home for food or drinks. A card game follows where the tourist is cheated into losing large sums, sometimes under armed threat to visit an ATM. Multiple Western embassies have issued specific warnings.

How to avoid: Never follow a new acquaintance to a private home or accept invitations to card or gambling games from strangers. No matter how genuine the friendship seems, this setup is extremely well-rehearsed.

Operators promote visits to local orphanages as voluntourism experiences for a fee. Many 'orphanages' are not genuine — children are sometimes borrowed from families to attract donations, and the money rarely benefits them. UNICEF and Australian aid agencies have campaigned against this practice in Cambodia.

How to avoid: Do not pay to visit or volunteer at orphanages as a tourist, regardless of how the offer is framed. Legitimate child welfare work requires background checks and long-term commitment, not a day-trip fee.