Cambodia
Legal; no protections; relatively tolerant socially.
Updated
- Same-sex activity
- Legal
- Recognition
- No legal recognition
- Region
- Asia
- Cities covered
- 4
- Confidence
- Medium
- Reviewed
- September 16, 2026
Sources:UK FCDO travel adviceEqualdexLinks checked Every country in one table
Travel advice
Go with your eyes open. Keep affection private, use apps carefully, and stick to venues locals recommend.
Check the UK FCDO or US State Department advice before you book.
Where the boys go
Phnom Penh, Siem Reap.
Questions people ask
Safety and the law
Is Cambodia safe for gay travelers?
It is legal, but be discreet. Cambodia is Tier 3: no crime, but few protections and real stigma. Legal; no protections; relatively tolerant socially. Phnom Penh, Siem Reap. Go with your eyes open. Keep affection private, use apps carefully, and stick to venues locals recommend.
Is it legal to be gay in Cambodia?
Yes, with caveats. Cambodia is Tier 3 on our ranking: not criminalized, but few or no protections, real stigma, "propaganda" laws, harassment or police abuse. Discretion advised. Legal; no protections; relatively tolerant socially. Read more →
Is same-sex marriage legal in Cambodia?
No. Cambodia has no legal recognition of same-sex couples. Not a crime, but keep it private.
Can gay couples hold hands in Cambodia?
Better not. It is not a crime, but with real stigma and no protections the safe default is to keep affection private and save it for the venues locals recommend.
Are dating apps safe to use in Cambodia?
Carefully. With few or no protections, fake profiles and blackmail are a real risk: no face photo until you trust someone, no location sharing, and meet in public.
Can two men share a hotel room in Cambodia?
Yes. Hotels take the booking and most will not comment; if reception assumes twin beds, it is not personal. Keep affection private.
Why is Cambodia Tier 3?
Tier 3, legal but discreet, means not criminalized, but few or no protections, real stigma, "propaganda" laws, harassment or police abuse. Discretion advised. Cambodia sits at #19 in the tier. Where two tiers are plausible we choose the more cautious one. Read more →
The scene
Which cities in Cambodia have a gay scene?
Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. We cover 4 places in Cambodia, each with its own page, so you can look up wherever the trip puts you. Read more →
Pride, parties and beaches
When is Pride in Cambodia?
Most years: May: Phnom Penh. Exact dates land on each city page as they are announced, and the club hears first. Read more →
Planning the trip
Which countries are in the same tier as Cambodia?
Tier 3 also holds Poland, Latvia, Hungary, Lithuania, Albania, North Macedonia and 77 more. Not a crime, but keep it private. Read more →
How reliable is this rating for Cambodia?
Confidence is medium. The tier comes from ILGA World, the ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Human Dignity Trust, the Williams Institute, Pew, the Spartacus Gay Travel Index, Equaldex and court rulings, last reviewed September 2026. Spotted a change? Tell us and it moves. Read more →
Method
Tiered on the legal status and social acceptance of gay men and LGB people using ILGA World, the ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Human Dignity Trust, the Williams Institute, Pew, the Spartacus Gay Travel Index, Equaldex and court rulings. Where two tiers are plausible we choose the more cautious one. How we tier. Last reviewed September 2026.