OrangeDragon wrote:

PSD-Kiwi wrote:Looks like Sihanoukville are cracking down on overstayers aye, saw that Police chief you mentioned OD post pictures on FB of 2 Russians they'd arrested for overstaying (1 was almost 3 years iirc), now awaiting deportation.

Yeah, funny bit is a lot of expats are now crying about it. You wanted them to weed out crime... overstaying is a crime.

Man, a lot of expats getting REALLY incised about it now that this French guy got nabbed. They wanted rule of law... now they're getting it and terrified of what it could mean for them.

As for all for show, there's been a LOT of budget spent on it... and significantly more activity by the police overall (not the traffic cops, i mean real police) around town. It may revert to how it was, but they kicked out the cops that were running the drug game down here already (though dressed it up much differently for face) and have also nabbed several drug dealers. Some changes around town for sure... only time will see how much they impact expats skirting the rules.

General Mackevili wrote:I think this whole charade was triggered (or at the very least, made it a bigger farce than they had planned) because Sihanoukville got called out by the American Embassy for being a dangerous spot when they sent out an official warning to everyone.

So, first of September I expect everything to be back to normal. No cops along the beach at night where all the violent attacks happen, cops selling drugs, etc.

That was what triggered it, however the changes have been made pretty deep to just be quickly dismissed. Time will tell, but there is now a LOT of attention on them. Likely pressured even more by the big resort investments that have already headed this way and want the towns reputation protected/improved to make getting guests possible.