We planning a trip to Siem Reap (Angkor Wat) for August. The idea is to be 2 days there. Is it safe to go with my two kids who are 7 and 11 years old? Will they be exposed to a high risk in terms of diseases? We would be staying at the five star hotel Sofitel.
Then we will go to Phi Phi islands in Thailand.
Thanks in advance

We were in Siem Reap a couple of years ago with our children, who were about the same ages as your children. They loved Angkor Wat, Bayon, and the more outlying areas. We all took Malarone for malaria. Eating was not an issue - we ate at all kinds of places (hotels, cafes, outdoor food vendors), but stayed away from uncooked vegetables and dairy products. We drank bottled water. Our children have had the basic immunizations and vaccines, including typhoid and hepatitis.

i do not think the children would be unusually exposed to disease....you SHOULD HOWEVER CONTACT A TRAVEL DOCTOR ABOUT MALARIA and you should contact the children's doctor about their regular shots...

needless to say you only drink bottled water and no fruit you did not peel and only well cooked food...this applies to all of thailand as well....no snacking on the streets....buy candy bars or snack foods for quick energy...they are available in thailand but i doubt you will find much in siem reap...

only eat in quality places....the sofitel is beautiful and you will love it...we had lunch there one day....great pizza...the kids will enjoy that....probably their store will have candy/snacks available for the kids...
try la noria restaurant, just across from the grand hotel (across the river)...and the red piano in town for lunch or supper or just a drink...

it will be very hot and humid in august so be prepared...you might want lite weight cotton long sleeve shirts and i wore long pants the whole time....sun-burn and general protection....bring lots of sun tan lotion and anti-mosquito with deet....

i assume that you have planned to hire a driver and a guide for you excursions...it is essential for efficient touring...$20 each per day...they usually have toyota camrys if you are wondering about car size...this will be the best money you spend on your trip and will make all the difference...

the hotel can arrange them for you...i did it on the internet in advance through my hotel...there is also a brother/sister pair often mentioned on this site...

if stopping at bangkok, the marriott resort and spa is a great place for kids

cytrav, we've done exactly that trip twice now, with a few days in Bangkok at the beginning to get over jet lag and a few days at the end for shopping.

Teach your kids the mantra now: Peel it, cook it, or don't eat it. This will serve them well in their travels for the rest of their lives.

Despite my precautions, I did get ill from eating at a buffet in a &quot;quality&quot; restaurant, and I will avoid buffets in 3rd world countries forever more. It's probably a good idea to carry some prescription antibiotics with you just in case someone does get ill. (These things <i>can</i> happen despite all precautions.) You should consult your doctor, the kids' pediatrician, and/or a travel doctor/clinic for the best advice on anti-malarials.

You are giving your children the experience of a lifetime -- they will be amazed at Angkor.

Yep once again the funny part is that the plane ride is acctually the most dangerous place for catching and transmiting diseases (airborn)..

persenoly I would make sure that everyone has there tetnis shot. you don't know what the hell you will step on or pock yourself with.

Such great advice on this post. We stayed at the Sofitel Royal Angkor and were disappointed. We arrived and the staff watched us struggle up the 3-4 stairs with our luggage-ignored us at reception-our room wasn't ready when we were told it would be. Told us poolside lunch was booked out- it was not we found our later. Then they gave us a crappy room and told us there were no others available. Completely different to the Sofitel Metropole in Hanoi which could not have done more to make our stay unforgettable. Could not believe they are the related in any way. Check out the Grand Raffles Hotel, it is spectacular and not much more expensive than Sofitel Royal Angkor. Hope you have a great time in Cambodia. We loved Angkor and 2 days is enough if you are organised and rise early and come back when it is hot during the lunch time, then go out mid afternoon for sunset. Magic place-watch out for the little green snakes though! Ask your driver or hotel. Wear trainers. Get a guide book on Angkor and Siem Reap. Visit deadfish tower. Have dinner and see live crocs. Leave kids at hotel for this.

We took our kids there in March last year. At the time they were ages 10 and 15 and they had a great time. Their favorite part was climbing the VERY steep steps on the side of one of the main structures in the center of Angkor Wat. They also absolutely loved Ta Prohm, where the big tree roots are taking over the temple itself (it's where part of the movie Tomb Raider was shot.)
We did not take the malaria tablets because we were told that the side effects of the preventive measures could be really nasty. We were careful to only drink bottled water and had no problems.

With regard to accommodation....after a disastrous first night at Angkor Village, we moved to the Sofitel, which was absolutely delightful. The pool is great for kids. We paid US$170 per room night. At that time, Raffles was asking US$350. We had a terrific dinner at Raffles one night (very elegant buffet on the terrace)and had a look at one of the rooms while we were there. While it was quite nice, I did not think it was worth more than double what we paid at the Sofitel.

BTW, we took our kids for lunch at DeadFish Tower and they thought it was a hoot.

Also, in 3.5 days there, including a trip out onto the lake at Tonle Sap, I did not see any snakes. We used insect repellent &quot;just in case&quot; but really did not encounter any mosquitos either. Must have been a dry time of year.

Last peace of advice...if you are traveling with 2 adults and 2 kids, I would spend the extra $15 per day for a van instead of a car. 4 people, plus guide and driver don't fit in a Camry. It was nice to have the extra space, especially when we got back in all hot and sweaty after each stop.
Have a great time. It's the trip of a lifetime for kids!!

Consider the Pansea Angkor at Siem Reap if u want an alternative to the Sofitel. www.pansea.com. Very nice boutique hotel, about 50 rooms - huge rooms which is always useful with kids. Good pool too but in Aug u may not use it much.

I would only add that if you want the kids to really enjoy it try and dig out some information on the Internet or see if you get get any library books that would be interesting. Let them feel they are going on an amazing adventure and let them get excitied about it so when they get there it is of interest to them. This applies anywhere, we have a map of Thailand covering half a wall in the kids room and they add photos and drawings and even pin the odd small souvenir. The age of 7 and 11 is ideal for you to get them thrilled with the anticipation, of the adventure.