Phnom Penh - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
High crime post, mostly petty theft and phone or purse snatching. I feel relatively safe here. Embassy houses are provided with 24/7 guards. - May 2024
Petty crime is a common occurrence so you need to always maintain vigilance with personal security - especially watching closely over your belongings - wallet, phone, bags. It's also key to make sure where you live has good security (guard, bars, etc), as thieves have been known to break into houses/buildings looking for items of value. - Jul 2021
Purse snatchings by motos. - Nov 2020
Violent crime against foreigners is uncommon unless you really go out of your way to get mixed up with the wrong sort of crowd. Most Cambodians are friendly people who will be nice to you but poverty can impel people to bad choices. Theft, such as bag-snatching, is sadly very common. Keep your bag close to you and don't carry too much cash. Being friendly, getting to know your Cambodian neighbors, and learning to speak some Khmer will go a long way towards keeping you safe in your neighborhood. - May 2017
Phnom Penh is rated "critical threat" for crime and we had 24-hour embassy guards at our house. However, though purse snatching is a common occurrence, exercising basic precautions, not walking alone later at night, not flashing money in public, etc etc will keep you pretty safe. I never felt threatened and Phnom Penh seemed to me like one of the safest places I have lived. - Oct 2016
Tons of purse-snatchings which can lead to hospital stays and death. An occassional home burglary in the expat neighborhood leading to death. Occassional casino robberies in the neighborhood where winners have been robbed/shot outside their apartment. Reports of people getting their laptop stolen either a.) as they're sitting in a coffee shop using it or b.) while carrying it across the street to get to that coffee shop/mini-mart. People getting car parts like side mirrors stolen. - May 2015
There is a lot of bag snatching - about one embassy member a month was a victim. So I was always on guard when I walked around with a bag or purse. Without a bag, I felt free and easy. I never let it hinder my activities. I would leave my purse at home when possible, only carry a small amount of cash, and never carry ATM/credit cards. - Feb 2015
Petty theft, ocassional break-ins, demonstrations. Just keep your wits about you and you should be fine. Be wary of tuk tuks after dark (pay attention during the day too though), don't carry anything with you you wouldn't be willing to lose. Don't take out anything of value in a tuk tuk, people will drive by and snatch it from you. - Aug 2013
Nothing too serious. There are plenty of reports of petty crime, physical safety is rarely an issue. We've found Phnom Penh pretty safe, and have had no security issues whatsoever. But we've been careful and don't live in BKK I (which is Phnom Penh's primary upscale expat area). We've met plenty of people who've had run-ins, though. Usually break-ins or late-night muggings coming back through BKK I or the streets off the riverside. Common sense and the adoption of preventative habits goes a long way. Make sure your house has bars. Lock up your house religiously, even if you're just popping out for a second. Don't leave anything by the windows. Be aware of your surroundings and don't lose control if you're out drinking. And so on. - Jan 2012
Crime is the same as anywhere, don't bring too much cash, jewelry or expensive items. Purse snatchings are common. The houses are very secure with very high gates and razor wires surrounding the houses. All embassy homes have 24/7 guards - Aug 2011
Purse snatching during the day, dangerous at night, not recommended to walk at night or use tuk-tuks, robberies and occasional shootings at night. - Aug 2011
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security rates Phnom Penh as a HIGH threat crime post. The police pretty much disappear after 5PM, and purse snatchings and crimes of opportunity are quite common. Generally speaking, if you handover whatever the thief is demanding, you will probably be ok. If you resist, however, things can turn ugly quite fast. I never had any problems, and I frequently went out late at night. However, I would suggest doing so with a group of friends. If you read the local newspapers, you will see that when the crime does get violent, it is REALLY VIOLENT (acid being thrown on people, people being hacked to death, shooting people for really ridiculous reasons).This is by far one of the most violent countries in Southeast Asia. - Oct 2010
There is some minor crime but life threatening crime is unusual. It is generally peaceful. - Feb 2008
