Cambodia Travel News

Issued: 03 September 2001

Travelers who have transfers arranged by the travel agents or the hotels should be aware of being misled by the local taxi drivers when they arrive at the Siem Reap Airport.

Just in front of the airport terminal exit, numerous taxi drivers are waiting to catch the new arrival passengers. In an attempt to compete for the passengers,  some taxi drivers used an unethical tactic by waiving signboards with the hotels names that they are not entitled to. Several tourists have been trapped and some surcharged, since they believed that the taxi has been sent by the hotel (In Cambodia, the Taxi does not carry the sign "Taxi", so the foreigners may not be able to distinguish between the normal taxi or the hotel's limousine).

This problem arises due to the fact that the legitimate local guides and the drivers have to wait for their clients at the allocated place to the left of the exit about 50 meters away. Unfortunately, this place is at a much worse location than the taxi drivers.

One of the best ways to protect yourself from being trapped is to check with  the person who is waiting for you whether he has your name written on the signboard or on any paper. If not, this is not the right guy!

Currently, the authorities have not taken any action.

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