From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Cambodia Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Wed, 20 Mar 1996 15:07:42 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:1005 Path: world!root Message-ID: <960320150741_76702.1202_CHN53-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: root@world.std.com (daemons) Distribution: wstd Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 128 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Cambodia ============================================================ Cambodia - Consular Information Sheet March 15, 1996 Country Description: In September 1993, a democratically elected government took office in Cambodia, following a two-year United Nations peacekeeping program. The country has enormous economic needs and faces an increasingly weakened but still active Khmer Rouge insurgency in several provinces. High levels of crime and banditry remain a persistent problem in Cambodia. Entry Requirements: Travelers may wish to contact the Royal Embassy of Cambodia, 4500 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20022, tel. (202) 726-7742, fax (202) 726-8381 for information about entry requirements. Areas of Instability: Limited military conflict, which frequently intensifies during the dry season (November through May) is possible in a number of areas, including along the border with Thailand, and especially in Battambang Province. During periods of increased military conflict, the U.S. Embassy discourages its personnel from traveling to Battambang Province, except for essential travel. The U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh may be able to provide Americans traveling outside the capital with more detailed information on areas of conflict, and encourages persons wishing to travel to the Battambang area to check with the Embassy first. Khmer Rouge Radio commentaries have threatened physical harm to American and other foreign nationals. Some Westerners, including one American citizen, have been taken hostage and several non-Americans have been killed. The safety of road travel outside urban areas varies greatly from region to region. Potential risks can be reduced if such travel is undertaken in vehicle convoy during daylight hours. Train travel is not considered safe, and the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh has advised Embassy personnel not to travel via train. Inter-city travel by water can be unsafe. Risks can be reduced by traveling on fast boats only. (The U.S. Embassy discourages its personnel from travel by boat on the Tonle Sap to Siem Reap.) Crime and banditry is a persistent problem in some areas. The town of Siem Reap and the ruins of Angkor Wat remain open to tourists, but one American was killed and another wounded by bandits on January 15, 1995 in the vicinity of Banteay Srei Temple, approximately 30 kilometers northeast of Siem Reap and Angkor Wat. The area surrounding Banteay Srei Temple continues to be unsettled and dangerous. Since January 16, 1995, the Cambodian government has prohibited travel to that temple. Medical Facilities: Medical facilities are not widely available and do not meet U.S. standards of hygiene and care. Doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage, including provision for medical evacuation, has proven helpful in some instances. Questions on health matters can be directed to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline, at (404) 332-4559. Information on Crime: Although major crime has not been a problem for most U.S. travelers, the potential for crime, especially in remote or rural areas, remains. The U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh advises its personnel to avoid traveling alone and in remote areas of the city, especially after dark. Some organizations in Phnom Penh encourage their staffs to observe a self-imposed curfew. The U.S. Embassy advises its personnel to carry photocopies and not their U.S. passport, driver's license or other important documents while sightseeing as these may be confiscated. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local police and to the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh. Useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlet, "a Safe Trip Abroad." It is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington D.C. 20402. Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Criminal penalties for possession, use and trafficking in illegal drugs are strict and convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and fines. Lifting of Sanction: Sanction against Cambodia was lifted on January 3, 1992, in conjunction with the implementation of the Comprehensive Political Settlement of the Cambodia conflict. This removes all mandatory restrictions on exports, imports, financial transactions, telecommunications, and travel. The lifting of the embargo permits U.S. travel agents to book travel to Cambodia. Exporters are still required to apply to the Department of Commerce for authorization to export certain high technology products which can be diverted for military use. Financial Transactions: Personal checks and credit cards are not widely accepted within Cambodia. Adoptions: The former government of Cambodia banned adoption of Cambodian orphans by foreign citizens. The Royal Cambodian government has confirmed this policy. Dual Nationality: The Royal Cambodian Government has not yet adopted laws on dual nationality. Specific questions on dual nationality can be directed to a Cambodian Embassy or Consulate, to the Office of Overseas Citizens Services, Department of State, Washington, D.C. 20520-4818, or to the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh. Registration/Embassy Location: Americans can register at the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh and obtain updated information on travel and security within Cambodia. The U.S. Embassy is located at 27, Street Angphanouvong Street 240, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The telephone number is (855) 23-426436 or 23-426438. The consular entrance to the U.S. Embassy is located at 16, ST 228 (between Street 51 and Street 63). No. 96-065 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet issued October 19, 1995, to provide the new phone numbers of the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- The "travel-advisories@stolaf.edu" mailing list is the official Internet and BITNET distribution point for the U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets. To unsubscribe, send a message containing the word "unsubscribe" to: travel-advisories-request@stolaf.edu Archives of past "travel-advisories" postings are available at the URL: "http://www.stolaf.edu/network/travel-advisories.html" or via Gopher: gopher.stolaf.edu, Internet Resources/US-State-Department-Travel-Advisories