East Asia / Pacific - Cambodia
Safety & Security Warnings During Cambodia Water Festival
By JoAnne Green
November 3, 2008

The U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh, Cambodia issued the following alert on November 3, 2008:

Cambodians will soon start to make their annual journey to Phnom Penh to celebrate this year’s Water Festival, which is scheduled from November 10 through November 13. Phnom Penh will undergo a dramatic increase in its population as approximately 3-4 million Cambodians are expected to travel to Phnom Penh to take part in the festivities.  Additionally, the annual Independence Day parade is scheduled for November 9. This year’s parade, celebrating Cambodia’s 54^th year of independence, is expected to be much larger than in previous years. The parade begins at 8:00 am in front of the Royal Palace and will proceed past the Independence Monument before heading back towards the riverfront. Approximately 100,000 people are expected to participate in the parade.   

The U.S. Embassy’s Regional Security Office has already received reports of an increase in street crime and expatriate residential break-ins. As the Water Festival approaches, we expect this trend to continue as criminal elements will typically prey on the large crowds of Cambodians and expatriates who congregate in Phnom Penh.

 

The following areas will be extremely congested with people: the Riverfront area, Hun Sen Park, the Royal Palace, Wat Phnom, Independence Monument, as well as the neighborhoods where the majority of our residences are located. Employees and their families are reminded to remain vigilant at all times and to exercise caution if they decide to join in on the festivities.  
 

You are strongly encouraged to utilize the following common sense security tips during the Water Festival. 

Travel Advisories

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs gives the following advice Australians who are traveling, working or living in Cambodia: "Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas, organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy."

The British Foreign & Commonwealth Office gives the following advice British people who are traveling, working or living in Cambodia: "We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. This should cover medical evacuation by air ambulance. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake."

The Canadian Foreign Affairs Office gives the following advice to Canadians who are traveling, working or living in Cambodia: "Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover costs if you get sick or are injured while abroad. Out-of-country healthcare can be costly, and your health plan will cover only part of the bill at best. It is your responsibility to obtain supplementary travel insurance and understand the terms of your policy. Some credit card companies offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume that coverage is automatically included or that the card alone provides adequate coverage."

The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade gives the following advice to New Zealanders: "New Zealanders travelling or resident in Cambodia should have comprehensive medical and travel insurance policies in place that include provision for medical evacuation by air."

The U.S. Department of State gives the following advice to Americans who are traveling, working or living in Cambodia: "We strongly urge you to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation and overseas medical services. Please keep in mind that Medicare does not cover any illness or injury that occurs outside of the United States."

How We Can Help

We at Sunburst International Risk Management and Sunburst Worldwide Insurance Services are happy to provide you free consultation and free quotes for the appropriate insurance plan that meets your needs. We invite you to visit our websites at: Sunburst International Risk Management and Sunburst Worldwide Insurance Services