Cambodia forum

Hi Potta-Boro:

We're in Siem Reap now ... arrived yesterday. The river is full and running into adjacent Khmer houses. Some water on streets in the town center, but it looks manageable. We went to Preah Khan & had to wade in through water ranging from 1 - 50cm deep. Mucky, so we took our shoes off, rather than leave them stuck in the mud. It was worth it. Almost no one else there, and very atmospheric.

Neak Pean & Ta Som have rather a lot of water in them, we were told. Angkor Wat, Bayon, Phnom Bakheng are wet but not under water. The moats around Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom are full, which is a beautiful thing to see, vs. last time we were here, which was in the dry season. We saw plenty of people at all three temples I noted above.

It seems, from the weather forecast, that the rain may begin to ease up over the next few days. I'd say, don't change your plans. The local people will be glad to see you, as business has really been off due to the rains.

Today was a beautiful day. Sunny! There's a lot of water still - Siem Reap River is over its banks in many places. Almost all of the ruins are accessible. Some streets in town are full of water, but they can be gotten around. Local forecast calls for clearing and drier weather from tomorrow.

Hi,
I read a few reports that said that travelling to Cambodia after such severe floods is likely to be pretty risky. Food contamination from flooded crops. Unsafe roads, high risk of Dengue fever etc. We were thinking of coming in December but is it better to put it off until our next holiday. Anyone know what are the risks after major floods? Thanks in advance

I left Phnom Penh two weeks ago and will return next week.When I left you could already see the homeless, penniless and hungry making their way into the city.Unlike Thailand the Cambodian govt have done very little to alleviate the suffering the loss of the rice crop has and will cause. I'd say an increase in the crime rate is certainly on the cards.
The bit about dangerous roads made me smile as Cambodian driving skills have always made the roads dangerous. I ride a motorbike and you cannot relax for one minute because of the lack of common sense and courtesy on the road.

Dengue fever-this has been getting worse every year even without the floods and the best way to avoid it is don't get bitten so DEET, burning coils and nets all get my vote.
I'd say come and enjoy yourself, sure S.E.Asia is a more risky environment than New York or London but all you got to do is stay aware.

I went to Cambodia to get away from the flooding in Philippines. I emailed my hotel in Seam Reap from PP to get an update on the situation. They informed us that Old Market and Pub street were affected also some parts of Angkor Wat. We saw the houses on each side of the road from PP were flooded with people and animals living on the roadside above the floodwater but apart from the Pub Street area in SR and some of the access parts of Angkor Wat we toured about as normal.The water seemed to be receeding around the riverside but as we left on 15th after a night of constant heavy rain, parts of town were waist high.The locals reckoned that Thailand's opening of flood gates has caused the exceptionally severe floods this year. Did not stop us seeing the sites but an umbrella and good crocs helped

Just got back from Siem Reap and saw Angkor Wat and many other out of the way temples. Water is receading, bring the DEET protection or maybe some ZPAC if you feel ill. I went to Old Market and Bar Street and a water is drying daily. Most temples do have water in them which makes them even cooler looking back at their history. I took TukTuks everyday and went out at night by myself without issue. I stayed at Shadow of Angkor 2 Guesthouse. These are both right off of the Siem Reap river.

Hope this helps. You do get alot of "sales" requests for trinkets, but that is pretty standard. I didn't witness or have any crime issues. Quite opposite in fact. Just recommend use common sense and take a TukTuk if worried about walking.