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The U.S. State Department has refreshed its travel guidance for Cambodia, urging Americans to exercise increased caution due to crime, unrest and unexploded ordnance, with a stronger warning for travel near the Thailand border.
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What changed in the new US advisory
Publicly available information on Travel.State.gov shows the State Department reissued its Cambodia Travel Advisory on September 15, 2026, keeping the country at Level 2, “Exercise Increased Caution,” and listing three risk indicators: crime, unrest and unexploded ordnance.
The update is notable for how specifically it breaks down risk by location. The advisory flags Phnom Penh for crime risks, highlights multiple provinces for unexploded ordnance concerns, and elevates guidance for the Cambodia-Thailand border area due to unrest and ongoing tensions.
For travelers, the practical takeaway is that Cambodia is not covered by a single, uniform risk label. The advisory’s wording encourages trip planning that treats the capital, popular tourist provinces, and the border region as distinct risk environments that may require different on-the-ground choices.
Border-area unrest: where the “do not travel” guidance applies
The updated advisory includes a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” warning for areas along the Cambodia–Thailand border. The guidance advises against travel within 50 kilometers of the border because of tensions between Cambodian and Thai military forces and the potential for collateral violence.
The same advisory language indicates reports of civilian casualties linked to armed conflict in the area, and it notes that U.S. government ability to provide emergency services in the border region may be limited because of the security environment.
Travelers who are building itineraries that involve crossing between Thailand and Cambodia should pay close attention to where overland routes run, where border provinces begin, and whether planned side trips could place them within that 50-kilometer zone. Even when the primary destination is elsewhere, detours to remote temples, rural viewpoints, or secondary crossings can change the risk picture quickly.
Crime risks in Phnom Penh and the advisory’s personal-safety emphasis
The State Department’s update calls out Phnom Penh for crime concerns, with guidance that street crime, including phone and bag snatchings, occurs frequently in areas where foreigners gather. The advisory also notes that violent crimes do occur, including sexual assault and homicide, and that foreigners can be among victims.
One of the most direct lines in the advisory is its warning not to physically resist a robbery attempt, reflecting a focus on preventing escalation during confrontations. While street-level theft is a common concern in many major cities, the advisory’s emphasis signals that travelers should treat situational awareness and de-escalation as a core part of personal safety planning.
For visitors, that can translate into simple, preventive choices: keeping phones secured and out of hand on sidewalks, using bags that are harder to snatch, choosing transportation pick-up points that reduce exposure in crowded areas, and staying alert in nightlife districts where opportunistic theft can rise.
Unexploded ordnance: provinces named and what it means for sightseeing
The advisory highlights unexploded ordnance risk in Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Pursat, Siem Reap, Pailin, Kampong Thom and Preah Vihear provinces. These areas matter for tourism because they include gateways and attractions that draw international visitors, including routes associated with Siem Reap.
The State Department’s guidance warns travelers not to touch unknown metal objects and recommends using local guides when walking in forests or dry rice paddies in affected areas. It also points to contacting the Cambodia Mine Action Center by dialing 012-800-473 or 023-995-437 if a suspicious object is encountered.
In practical terms, the advisory does not suggest travelers avoid the country’s well-visited urban centers or established tourist sites outright. Instead, it reinforces a key distinction: risk can be substantially higher off well-used roads and paths, particularly in rural areas, remote trails, and places where travelers might be tempted to explore beyond maintained routes for photography, hiking, or side trips.
How travelers can plan around the advisory without canceling a trip
The updated guidance underscores preparation steps that can be especially relevant when advisories cite both security concerns and hazards like unexploded ordnance. The State Department recommends enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and make it easier for the U.S. Embassy to contact travelers or their emergency contacts in an emergency.
The advisory also strongly recommends buying travel insurance and checking whether coverage includes evacuation assistance, medical insurance and trip cancellation coverage. For travelers weighing whether to proceed with Cambodia plans, insurance details can matter as much as flight pricing, particularly if an itinerary includes overland segments near border provinces or outdoor activities in rural areas.
For many travelers, the biggest planning adjustment may be geographic rather than logistical: building a route that avoids the border region identified for Level 4 guidance, limiting unsupervised rural exploration in provinces flagged for unexploded ordnance, and using city-safety habits in Phnom Penh that reduce exposure to snatch-and-grab crime. The advisory’s location-specific framing is a reminder that “exercise increased caution” can mean different things depending on where, how, and when a trip unfolds.