117
For an immediate police emergency in Cambodia.
Travel Information · Emergencies
Ambulances & Emergency Services in Cambodia
The numbers to save, what an ambulance call may—and may not—provide, and how to prepare before an emergency happens.
National emergency numbers
Save 117, 118 and 119 before you need them.
118
For fire and rescue emergencies.
119
Ask for an ambulance and state your location clearly.
These national short codes are confirmed by Cambodia's Telecommunication Regulator and current UK government travel advice. They are not the UK numbers 999 or 112.
The honest picture
Do not assume a UK-style ambulance response.
The United States government's current Cambodia travel information says ambulances are not widely available and warns that response times and responder training may be limited. It also says ambulances may lack advanced equipment and are not necessarily free.
This does not mean you should never call 119. It means you need a second plan, particularly outside Phnom Penh and Siem Reap or when travelling in rural areas and on islands.
Your backup plan
- Save your accommodation's telephone number.
- Save a suitable hospital's direct emergency number.
- Keep your insurer's 24-hour assistance number available offline.
- Download an offline map and save your location.
- Carry a payment card and access to emergency funds.
When making the call
Location and local help can make a major difference.
Give practical details
State the town or province, road, building or hotel name, nearest landmark and a callback number. If possible, have someone wait at the road entrance to guide the vehicle.
Language support cannot be guaranteed. A Khmer-speaking friend, hotel receptionist, guide or host may be able to explain the location and situation more quickly.
Call the receiving hospital too
In a serious medical emergency, a hospital may operate its own ambulance or advise on transport. Tell the hospital what has happened and ask whether it can receive the patient and send an ambulance.
Do not move someone after a major collision, fall or suspected spinal injury unless remaining in place creates a greater immediate danger or qualified help tells you to do so.
Direct hospital contacts
Verified examples to save—not a ranking or recommendation.
These contacts were checked against hospital websites and the British Embassy's published medical-provider list. Call ahead and confirm the current service, coverage area, likely charge and whether the hospital can meet the patient's needs.
| Area | Hospital and emergency contact | Published service |
|---|---|---|
| Phnom Penh | Royal Phnom Penh Hospital +855 23 991 222 +855 99 991 222 | Hospital states that its emergency and ambulance service operates 24/7; English-speaking staff are listed by the British Embassy. |
| Phnom Penh | Calmette Hospital +855 11 426 948 hotline +855 23 426 948 | Major public hospital. Ask the operator about emergency reception or ambulance arrangements. |
| Siem Reap | Royal Angkor International Hospital +855 63 761 888 +855 12 235 888 | Hospital states that its emergency centre and ambulance team operate 24/7. |
| Kampot area | Sonja Kill Memorial Hospital +855 77 666 751 +855 78 265 782 | Hospital states that its emergency department and ambulance service operate 24/7. |
When dialling a Cambodian number shown as +855 from inside Cambodia, local presentation may use a leading 0 instead. Saving the full international format is normally the clearest option on a mobile telephone.
Costs and insurance
Treatment and evacuation may require substantial payment.
There is no reciprocal healthcare arrangement giving British visitors NHS-style free treatment in Cambodia. Hospitals and ambulances may charge, and an insurer may need to approve direct billing. Contact the insurer quickly when emergency treatment or transfer is being arranged.
For serious illness or injury, treatment or medical evacuation outside Cambodia may be required. Appropriate insurance should cover emergency care and medical evacuation, including any relevant pre-existing conditions and planned activities.
Read our complete guide to health and medical insurance for Cambodia →
Before travelling
- Check the policy's medical and evacuation limits.
- Declare relevant health conditions accurately.
- Know whether you must contact the insurer before treatment.
- Ask which Cambodian hospitals offer direct billing.
- Keep the policy number and assistance line offline.