Is Siem Reap Safe in May 2026?

Tuk-tuk drivers at Angkor Wat and other temples claim the main entrance is closed or that tourists need a special guide to access a particular area. They redirect tourists to shops, restaurants, or "floating villages" where they earn commission. Angkor temples close only on rare official occasions.

How to avoid: Verify temple opening hours directly with your hotel or the official Angkor Enterprise website. Walk to the main entrance yourself to confirm access. Dismiss all claims from tuk-tuk drivers about closures without independent verification.

Organised child begging networks operate around Angkor Wat's main causeway, the West Gate, and outside popular temples including Bayon and Ta Prohm. Children are coached to sell postcards, bracelets, or cold drinks then switch to aggressive begging when tourists decline. Many are kept out of school by adult handlers who collect the proceeds. Buying goods perpetuates the practice and can lead to mobbing by larger groups.

How to avoid: Do not give money or buy goods from children at temple sites. If you wish to support local children, donate to registered NGOs such as Friends International or Children of the Mekong operating in the Siem Reap area. Report organised child begging to Angkor Wat security officers at the main ticket checkpoint.

Touts near Siem Reap sell counterfeit Angkor Wat passes at a slight discount. These are detected at the temple gates and confiscated with no refund. Tourists must purchase legitimate tickets at a loss.

How to avoid: Buy Angkor passes only from the official Angkor Enterprise ticket center on the road to Angkor (about 4km from town). Never buy from anyone on the street or who approaches your guesthouse.

Tuk-tuk drivers in Siem Reap often quote low daily rates ($10–15 for Angkor) then take tourists to souvenir shops and restaurants where they earn commission, adding significant time and pressure to the day.

How to avoid: Agree on the daily rate and explicit route before departure. Politely but firmly decline all shop stops. Book tuk-tuks through your guesthouse or a reputable app like PassApp.

Tours to Tonle Sap floating villages are sold at vastly different prices, and many include mandatory boat extensions, expensive drinks on the water, and "donations" to floating schools that are not genuine educational institutions. The original agreed price rarely covers the full experience.

How to avoid: Book Tonle Sap tours through your guesthouse or a reputable operator with an itemised price list. Confirm what is and is not included before paying. The standard boat tour to Kompong Khleang is transparent about pricing. Avoid booking from Pub Street touts.