Emergency numbers and procedures in Cambodia

In 3 bullets

• 117 police, 118 fire, 119 ambulance — free from any Cambodian mobile. Staff speaking little English: bring a local along if possible.
• French Embassy in PP: +855 23 430 020 (off-hours emergencies via on-call consular number posted at kh.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/en-cas-durgence).
• International emergency hospitals in PP: Royal Phnom Penh Hospital, Sunrise Japan Hospital, Khema Clinic. For serious case, Bangkok evacuation via international insurance.

Official emergency numbers

Source: Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia and Phnom Penh Capital Hall.

French Embassy in Cambodia

The French Embassy provides emergency consular assistance to French nationals in case of serious problem:

• Emergency social aid (in case of major destitution).
• Coordination in case of accident or death.
• Liaison with local authorities and family in France.
• Issuance of emergency passport or safe-conduct.
• Detention visit if you are taken into custody.

Off-hours: an on-call consular number is posted at kh.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/en-cas-durgence and on the switchboard answering machine. Save it in your contacts on arrival.

Crisis and Support Centre (CCS) — Paris: from abroad +33 1 53 59 11 00 (24/7), for emergencies when the embassy doesn’t answer.

Emergency hospitals in Phnom Penh

For serious medical emergencies, prefer international hospitals:

• Royal Phnom Penh Hospital (Bangkok Hospital Group) — international level, English, French on request, 24/7 ER. +855 23 991 000.
• Sunrise Japan Hospital — Japanese, modern ER, 24/7. +855 23 432 4001.
• Khema International Polyclinic — clinic very renowned among expats, ER but not hospital level. +855 23 425 425.
• SOS International — international emergency medicine (MEDEX, AXA Assistance, Allianz insurance).
• Calmette Hospital — main public hospital (historic French, variable quality, low price).

For serious cases requiring complex surgery (interventional cardio, advanced neurosurgery, multi-system trauma), evacuation to Bangkok (Bumrungrad, Bangkok Hospital) is the norm — covered by good expat insurance.

Procedures by type of emergency

1. Theft or loss of passport

1. Declare immediately at the nearest police station → obtain a theft/loss report (déclaration de perte ou vol).
2. Go to the French Embassy with:
   • The police report.
   • A recent ID photo.
   • Another ID proof (FR ID card, passport copy, consular attestation).
3. The embassy can issue:
   • Emergency passport (1-3 days, valid 1 year, paid) to return to France.
   • Safe-conduct (1 day, valid one direct return trip) if absolute emergency.
4. Cost: variable per service (consult the embassy passport page).

2. Wallet / money / phone theft

1. Police declaration: report required for insurance / bank.
2. Block immediately your cards (international numbers to know by heart or stored elsewhere):
   • Visa international: +1 303 967 1090.
   • Mastercard international: +1 636 722 7111.
   • French bank directly (number on the back of the card).
3. Lost phone: log into your Google / iCloud on another device to locate or wipe remotely.
4. Travel insurance claim within 5 days.

3. Road accident

See the daily driving guide for the full procedure. In summary:

1. People safety, photos, exchange details.
2. 117 police if injuries or major damage.
3. Insurer hotline (Forte Insurance, Infinity Insurance) in parallel.
4. Photo + written report signed.
5. Injury transport: 119 ambulance or directly international hospital by private car if faster.

4. Custody / arrest

1. Stay calm, do not sign anything you don’t understand.
2. Ask to call your embassy (consular right).
3. Note: officer’s name, place of detention, alleged motive.
4. The embassy can assist (visit, interpreter, lawyer connection).
5. Don’t pay an “informal bail” without documenting — the embassy can guide you.

5. Natural disaster / evacuation

Cambodia experiences:

• Monsoon floods (June-October): roads cut, sometimes entire PP neighbourhoods submerged.
• Tail tropical storms (Philippine typhoon passages): intense rain 24-72h.
• Extended power outages on storms.

Reflexes:

• Register at the consular register (service-public.gouv.fr — Inscription au registre des Français établis hors de France, R16860) to receive embassy alerts.
• Keep 3 days of USD cash + water bottles + charged phone.
• Flood / disaster number: 1294.

6. Death of a loved one

Painful but well-framed procedure:

1. Death certificate by a local doctor.
2. Declaration to local authorities (police + Cambodian civil status).
3. Embassy contact: help with transcription into French records, body repatriation or local cremation procedures.
4. Insurance coordination (body repatriation = 8,000-25,000 USD per destination).

Consular register registration

Recommended for every French citizen residing > 6 months in Cambodia:

• Online registration at service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/R16860 or directly at kh.diplomatie.gouv.fr.
• Free, valid 5 years, renewable.
• Allows you to receive alerts from the embassy (demonstration, health alert, elections, disaster).
• Eases procedures for passport renewal or AEFE school scholarships.

Documents to keep (locally and in the cloud)

• Passport scan + visa.
• Embassy contacts + possible honorary consul.
• Bank card numbers + international stop-payment numbers.
• Insurance policies travel / health / vehicle.
• France emergency contacts: family, GP, bank.
• Health record + prescriptions for current treatments.

Common pitfalls

FAQ

Does 112 (European number) work in Cambodia?

No. 112 is specific to the EU / EEA. In Cambodia, use 117 / 118 / 119 or hospitals directly.

Can I call emergencies in French?

Not guaranteed. Switchboards are not French-speaking. For French-language emergencies: call your embassy or an international hospital (Royal Phnom Penh does French on request, sometimes).

And what does travel / expat insurance cover exactly?

Variable, but a good expat policy (CFE + MSH, April International, Allianz Care, Cigna Global) covers:

• Hospitalisation, surgery, emergencies.
• Medical evacuation to Bangkok or Singapore.
• Health repatriation to France.
• Routine medical fees above a deductible.

Without insurance, an ICU stay in PP costs 500-1,500 USD/day; a Bangkok evacuation 8,000-30,000 USD.

How to locate your loved ones in case of disaster?

The French Embassy can broadcast a notice to all consular registrants. Crisis24 (Drum Cussac) and International SOS also publish bulletins. Trousse à pharmacie app of the French government for advice.

What to do if I witness a crime against another foreigner?

1. Safety first — don’t physically intervene.
2. 117 police + victim’s embassy.
3. Discreet photos / video if not dangerous.
4. Testimony at the police station if summoned.

Emergency number to report internet fraud / scam?

Cybercrime: file a complaint at the police station + report to the Anti-Cybercrime Department of the Ministry of Interior (portal evolving). For international financial fraud: also alert your bank + TRACFIN France if > 10,000 € involved.