FAQ · Geography & Regions 10

Tropical cyclones only rarely cause damage in Cambodia. The country's climate is instead dominated by monsoons, which create distinct tropical wet and dry seasons. The southwest monsoon brings the rainy season from mid-May to mid-September or early October. Conversely, the northeast monsoon brings drier and cooler air from early November to March. These seasonal air-flows are caused by annual alternating high and low pressure over the Central Asian landmass.

The landscape features the Tonle Sap, which is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. This great lake is surrounded by floodplains and a belt of freshwater mangroves known as the flooded forest. Higher elevations and areas with higher quality soils contain mixed deciduous and semi-evergreen forests. The terrain also includes interlocking patches of grassland, marshland, and forest. Low hills covered with evergreen seasonal vegetation surround the floodplains.

The rainy season in Cambodia is brought by the southwest monsoon. This period typically lasts from mid-May to mid-September or until early October. During this time, moisture-laden air is drawn landward from the Indian Ocean. This seasonal pattern is part of a tropical wet and dry climate dominated by monsoons. The weather is characterized by these distinctly marked seasonal differences.

When air quality reaches unhealthy levels, schools may be ordered to close temporarily. This is especially true if the Air Pollution Index readings surpass 200. Residents with asthma or pulmonary problems are advised to stay indoors until the air quality improves. Haze can also cause reduced visibility, which impacts the aviation and maritime sectors. Such conditions have previously led to flight delays and the cancellation of major public events.

The Cambodian government has upgraded many roads, making unpaved routes a challenge to find. Major cities, the coast, and borders are well-connected, though smaller roads are often in poor condition. Road safety is impacted by unpredictable driving, overloaded vehicles, and poor car maintenance, making accidents frequent. You should only travel by road during the day to stay safe. Additionally, you must have a local Cambodian driving licence because international permits are not officially sufficient. Without a local licence, your insurance may not cover damages in the event of an accident.

Border areas have seen increased law-enforcement operations due to scam compounds operating in Cambodia. Thai and Cambodian police have conducted joint actions in these regions, such as a raid in Poipet. Thailand has also implemented border infrastructure measures to disrupt trafficking-linked scam activity. These measures include restrictions at some crossing points and cuts to cross-border electricity supplies. Such actions are described by Thai authorities as part of anti-scam efforts.

Longer journeys in Cambodia can be taken by bus, pickup truck, or shared taxi. In many towns, these options are available at the local market square, while larger cities have dedicated bus stations. Companies like Giant Ibis and Mekong Express are known for comfort, safety, and reliability, though they charge a premium. You can also take the train between Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, and Battambang. Train carriages feature fans and windows that open, but they do not have air conditioning.

A dam collapse in Mandalay caused flooding in the area. This event also resulted in damage to sections of the Mandalay-Yangon highway. In other locations like Pyinmana, roads were reported to have buckled. These infrastructure issues can impact travel and connectivity during such emergencies. Such events often lead to significant structural damage across various townships.

Ride-hailing apps have become popular in recent years due to high mobile phone penetration. Local apps like ExNet and PassApp were introduced after 2016 and use similar technology. ExNet provides a taxi-based service, while PassApp is more focused on rickshaws. International companies like Uber and Grab also joined the market in 2017. Currently, PassApp is considered a strong competitor to Grab in the Cambodian transport market.

Motorcycles are the most common way to get around the country. For different needs, travelers can use remorques or rickshaws, including the unique Cambodian cyclo where the cyclist sits behind the passenger. Ride-hailing apps like PassApp, ExNet, Grab, and Uber are also very popular for booking services. In the capital city, public transport is available through the Phnom Penh City Bus service which currently operates 13 routes. Additionally, the nation has extensive inland waterways that have historically been important for communication and trade.