Safety: Cambodian people are by and large, passive, non-violent characters whose behaviour is greatly influenced by their devotion to the precepts of Buddhism. This does not mean however that the country is crime-free and visitors need to maintain vigilance at all times in the cities especially if going out at night. The capital, Phnom Penh, has something of a reputation for incidents involving tourists and hence it's not wise to stray to far from your guest house or hotel or wander off the beaten track. Theft, and in particular bag snatchings, are not uncommon and visitors should pay special attention to what they carry and how they carry it so as to avoid becoming a victim. Siem Reap and Sihanoukville are also known to harbour criminal elements so observe the same degrees of care and vigilance. The country is also known to be among the world's most heavily land-mined so visitors should at all costs avoid straying off main paths and use a guide at all times if travelling to places of interest. Money: the Cambodian Riel is the official currency of the country but visitors will find US dollars are widely accepted, especially in tourist areas. Other currencies can be difficult to exchange so it's wise to enter the country with a good supply of dollars; exchanging some for small purchases such as sundry items and keeping the rest for larger purchases. It's not uncommon to pay for something in dollars and get change in riel so be wary of this when paying for a can of Coke with a ten dollar bill. If you enter the country from Thailand, you should have no problems exchanging Thai baht into riel. ATMs can only be found in Phnom Penh, while bureaux de change can be found in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. Traveller's cheques in US dollars or sterling are a sensible way of carrying your finances. Language: Khmer is the official language of Cambodia and is part of the Mon-Khmer family of languages. Khmer has origins in both the Sanskrit and Pali languages of India and has been influenced by Thai and to a small extent, French since its adoption. Unlike, Thai and the language of Laos, Khmer is not a tonal language and the written form is derived from the South-Indian alphabet. The majority of Cambodian's speak Khmer although a small number of older citizens may also speak French as a result of the days of French colonisation of the country. Ethnic minorities (hill tribes) speak their own dialects which may or may not bare some resemblance to Khmer depending on the tribe in question. Ambulance: 119 (or call hospitals mentioned below)
Police: 117
Tourist police emergency hotline:
Siem Reap 063 760 215
Phnom Penh 012 942 484 Recommended hospital:
Phnom Penh - International SOS Medical and Dental Clinic
+855 23 216911
Phnom Penh - Ly Srey Vyna International Medical Center
+855-23-982003
Siem Reap - Naga International Clinic International
+855-63-964500
Sihanoukville - International Peace Hospital
+855 16 875668 Typical business hours:
Government departments 07:30 - 16:30 (with a break at midday), Monday to Friday.
Retail: 07:00 - 18:00, Monday to Saturday (many shops open on Sunday)
Bankig: 08:00 - 15:00, Monday to Friday. | 
