Cambodia
The laws most likely to catch a visitor off guard. What is legal at home can be a serious crime here — each rule links to its official source.
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Crimes targeting tourists in Cambodia often involve drugged drinks; do not accept drinks from strangers or leave drinks unattended, and methanol poisoning from bootleg alcohol has caused deaths.
§ US State Dept — CambodiaVerified Jul 19, 2026
Cannabis
Cannabis is illegal in Cambodia and there is no small-amount exception. The Law on Drug Control treats possession as "keeping" and puts it on the same scale as trafficking, so any quantity of cannabis starts at two to five years in prison plus a fine of 4 to 10 million riel. Cannabis sits in Table I, which the law defines as substances with no medical use.
Any quantity of cannabis: 2 to 5 years' imprisonment and a fine of 4 to 10 million riel; a repeat offence is 5 to 10 years whatever the amount. The top band — 60 kg of dry cannabis, 1,600 g of resin or 800 g of oil — carries 20 to 30 years or life. For felonies under this law the Criminal Code's mitigating-circumstances provisions do not apply; the only statutory reduction is for helping identify or arrest others, which converts a life sentence to 20 years.
§ National Authority for Combating Drugs — Law on Drug Control, Royal Kram NS/RKM/0112/001 (2 Jan 2012), arts. 33, 40, 45Verified Aug 23, 2026
Customs & Cash
Import and export of Cambodian riel is prohibited; declare foreign currency over US$10,000 on entry — on exit you may take out foreign currency only up to the amount you declared on arrival.
§ US State Dept — CambodiaVerified Jul 19, 2026
Alcohol
Deaths and serious illness have been caused by alcoholic drinks containing methanol in Cambodia; methanol cannot be identified by taste or smell — buy drinks only from licensed stores, bars, restaurants, and hotels, and avoid homemade or streetside alcohol.
§ US State Dept — CambodiaVerified Jul 19, 2026
Driving
Drivers must obtain an International Driving Permit; accidents are common due to poor roads and intoxicated driving, and driving outside cities is best limited to 6:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
§ US State Dept — CambodiaVerified Jul 19, 2026
Connectivity
Drone use is strictly prohibited in Cambodia.
§ US State Dept — CambodiaVerified Jul 19, 2026
LGBTQ+ Safety
Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Cambodia with no restrictions on relations or LGBTQ events, though same-sex marriage is not legal and societal discrimination occurs, especially outside cities.
§ US State Dept — CambodiaVerified Jul 19, 2026
Public Conduct
Cambodia criminalizes defamation and lèse-majesté: criticism or insults of the King by any means — including online and on social media — can bring 1 to 5 years in prison.
1 to 5 years in prison for insulting or criticizing the King, including posts made online or via social media.
§ US State Dept — CambodiaVerified Jul 19, 2026