Lately, there’s been a noticeable increase in police presence on the streets of Phnom Penh. Local media reports that law enforcement has been cracking down on suspected online scams and illegal labor operations, rounding up quite a few people. Many have been sent off to await deportation. A friend who runs a small business in the city mentioned seeing several buses parked at an intersection late at night, with police cars flashing their lights as they loaded people onto the buses.
This sweep isn’t just targeting big complexes; even small guesthouses and rental apartments are feeling the heat. Officials have said they’ll continue checking foreigners’ passports and work permits. These days, if you’re riding a motorbike at night, there’s a good chance you’ll get stopped for a check. A neighbor who runs a restaurant is worried because his staff doesn’t have all their paperwork in order. He’s too scared to let them work during the day, fearing a surprise inspection.
Things are definitely tightening up here. It used to be that people thought they could just come over with a plane ticket and get by. Now, without a proper visa and legal work documents, walking around feels risky. Vendors at the night market are talking about how business has slowed down for those renting rooms, delivering food, and driving tuk-tuks since the raids started. If you’re living here, it’s clear you need to get your paperwork sorted. Trying to take shortcuts to settle down long-term is getting harder and harder.
