Staying Safe After Dark in Cambodia

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Staying Safe After Dark in Cambodia

Tourism is big benefical business for the country, but take care that you’re not supporting the “dark” economy by inadvertently funding crime every time you step outside for a night on the town.While a night out in the Sisowath tourist strip in Phnom Penh (the Riverside) seems attractive, with its up market bars and waterside location, even busy places like these can be the haunts of some of Cambodia’s less salubrious customers. Travel Indochina and Cambodia

Prostitution in Cambodia

After dark, many of the tourist destinations in Cambodia come alive with a plethora of Asian beauties plying their trade on an open market.

These love-you-long-time girls are the stuff of legends, but a night with one of these lovelies may leave you with more than just a lasting memory.

Prostitution in Cambodia after dark

Prostitution in Cambodia after dark- source: internet

Cambodia has a staggingly high HIV rate, and with sex one of its best forms of income, that figure is set to rise. The practice is so common that is actually harder to find a street that doesn’t have a few call girls propping up the local buildings. And with pimps in the background waiting to force a sale, even approaching one of these girls is likely to cost you, so it’s best to stay away in general.

More often than not, a polite “no” is all it takes to get rid of them, but if that isn’t enough, just head into the nearest westernized bar where, generally speaking, locals won’t venture.

Cambodian Beggars

Cambodia with many Cambodians suffering from amputations resulting from meeting with a explosed landmine,  everywhere you look there are beggars lining the streets.

They range from incredibly young children to aging pensioners, and they’ll suddenly appear at the doorways to pubs just as the next intoxicated tourist decides to head back to his hotel.

It may be tempting to hand out some money to these poor unfortunates, but if you do, it may not be the wisest move you’ve ever made.

Beggars sometimes need food from tourists

Beggars sometimes need food from tourists- source: internet

Generally, the younger children will have someone lurking somewhere behind them, probably forcing them to beg. As soon as you whip out your wallet, it’s not the child you need to worry about anymore.8

Keep your money safe, and if you really do feel the urge, make sure that when you leave your chosen watering hole, you have a small number of low denomination coins in your pocket for that purpose. cambodia travel packages

Dealing with Traffic in Cambodia

It may seem obvious, but don’t step out in front of traffic. This is clearly good advice for any time, any place, anywhere, but when we’re talking late night Cambodian motorcyclists with a contempt for drink driving, and a lack of basic skill in the first place, it’s definitely warrants a warning for those of you heading into the built up cities for an evening out.

Overcrowded street in Cambodia

Overcrowded street in Cambodia- source: internet

Motorcyclists in Cambodia are famous for misunderstanding the concept of a road, and take to driving wherever they can see a gap, so for the unwary tourist with one beer too many and a somewhat parlous peripheral vision of their own, even the sidewalk can be hazardous.

Drink Spiking in Cambodian Bars

If you’re offered a drink in a bar, and it’s clearly a local who’s chatting to you, then you’ve got to assume the worst and say no, because there is a chance it could be spiked.

Drugs are a regular aspect on the Cambodian nightlife, with cocaine, amphetamine and cannabis among the most popular.

Tourists who take proffered drugs run the risk of being forced into pay high prices for the privilege, or threatened with being turned in to local police.

There are many scams in night party

There are many scams in night party- source: internet

More worrying, is this thankfully less frequent practice of spiking drinks – four hours later you wake up wondering where you are and why your wallet is no longer in your pocket.

To avoid this being a problem, only ever consume drinks that you’ve bought yourself or by one of your friends, and never leave it on a table or bar unattended.

See more:

Amazing Experiences For Your Cambodia Trip

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Phnom Penh dishes with less than $2

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