Asia and Oceania

The Royal Government of Cambodia has recently put in place new procedures for marriages between foreign and Cambodian nationals in Cambodia.  An application form together with details of the supporting documentation required may be obtained from the British Embassy in Phnom Penh, via the Embassy's website or directly from the Cambodian Ministry of  Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation of the Kingdom of Cambodia. The Cambodian Government verbally advised the Embassy on 22 January 2009 of the lifting of the previous ban on marriage to foreigners, but the Embassy can give no guarantees that the local authorities will process individual applications.  Certificates of No Impediment and marriage affidavits are issued at the applicant's request and the onus is on applicants to check with the local authorities that they can get married in Cambodia.

The sexual abuse of children is a serious crime.  The UK and Cambodian authorities are committed to combating travelling child sex offenders.  Those arrested and convicted can expect to receive long sentences in a Cambodian prison where facilities are very poor.  The UK has no prisoner transfer agreement with Cambodia and those found guilty can expect to serve their full prison term in Cambodia, have their visas revoked and be deported when released.  Legislation in the UK, The Sex Offenders Act 1997, can be used to prosecute in the UK those who commit sex offences against children abroad and has been used successfully in cases of British nationals who have committed such offences in Cambodia.

Penalties for drug offences, including those involving Class C, drugs are severe.  Prison sentences can be long and served in grim conditions.  In addition to the criminal penalties, you should be aware that drugs have been the cause of a number of deaths of travellers in Cambodia.  These are suspected to be a result of the high purity, or adulteration by unknown substances, of the drugs involved.

You should not take photographs in or near airports or military bases.  You should ask permission before taking pictures of members of the public especially monks and other religious figures.  When entering religious and cultural sites it is a courtesy to dress in appropriate clothing.  You are expected to remove your shoes when entering temples and private accommodation.

 

For more general information for different types of travellers, see Your Trip.