Tourism industry representatives and local transport operators in Siem Reap are calling on Prime Minister Hun Manet to intervene over increased toll charges on the highway serving Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI), warning that higher transport costs could further weaken the province's tourism competitiveness and threaten drivers' livelihoods. The appeal comes as international visitor arrivals to Angkor Wat fell nearly 26% in the first 10 months of 2026, while the airport highway toll rates doubled from November 1.
Key Facts
Airport: Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI).
Toll increase effective: November 1, 2026.
Car and motorcycle toll: $4 per trip, up from $2.
Largest truck toll: $16 per trip, up from $8.
Angkor Wat international visitors: 566,714 from January to October 2026.
Visitor decline: 25.97% year-on-year.
Angkor ticket revenue: Nearly $27 million, down 24.25%.
Drivers' request: Cancel or review the increased toll charges and introduce affordable airport access and parking arrangements.
Industry proposal: Temporary suspension, preferential rates or monthly passes for licensed transport operators.
Siem Reap Governor Appeals for Government Intervention
Siem Reap Provincial Governor Prak Sophorn has appealed to Prime Minister Hun Manet to consider requests from local tourist transport providers to cancel the increased airport highway toll fees and establish standardised parking charges comparable to those at Techo International Airport in Phnom Penh.
The appeal followed a meeting on October 26 with transport service providers who gathered in front of the Siem Reap Provincial Administration to raise concerns about the new charges.
The operators submitted a letter requesting government intervention over toll rates scheduled to take effect on November 1. The charges are managed by Angkor International Airport Investment Co., Ltd. (AIAI), the airport's owner and operator.
Sophorn proposed maintaining the service charge arrangement previously announced by the government spokesperson on January 11, 2024, which allowed free entry for 15 to 30 minutes depending on vehicle type.
According to the governor, transport operators raised several challenges, including declining visitor numbers since the COVID-19 pandemic, global uncertainty, longer and more expensive transportation routes, rising fuel prices and higher commodity costs.
They said their incomes remained low despite the increasing costs of operating their businesses.
The governor reportedly held another meeting with drivers on Monday, November 2. The airport operator could not immediately be reached for comment at the time of the original report.
Airport Highway Tolls Double from November 1
The toll rates for the highway serving Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport returned to their original levels on November 1, replacing preferential rates that had been applied from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025.
According to the published toll schedule, charges doubled across vehicle categories.
| Vehicle category | Previous toll | New toll |
|---|---|---|
| Cars and motorcycles | $2 | $4 |
| Largest trucks | $8 | $16 |
The higher charges have raised concerns among local drivers who regularly transport tourists between Siem Reap city and the airport.
For operators making multiple airport journeys, the additional toll expense can accumulate, increasing daily operating costs.
Drivers argue that passing these costs on to passengers could make airport transfers more expensive, while absorbing them would further reduce already limited earnings.
Tourism Industry Warns of Higher Costs for Visitors
Thourn Sinan, Chairman of IMCT Co Ltd and the Pacific Asia Travel Association Cambodia chapter, said Cambodia should reduce unnecessary travel expenses rather than increase them while working to restore international visitor confidence.
He acknowledged that the distance between Siem Reap city and the new airport already creates additional transportation costs for tourists and service providers.
When highway tolls, parking fees, fuel expenses and other charges are combined, the total cost can become a burden, particularly for independent travellers and small transport businesses.
Sinan also highlighted the importance of airport transfers in shaping visitors' overall experience.
“We must also recognise that airport transfers are often a visitor's first and last experience of a destination,” he said. “If transportation is perceived as expensive, complicated or unfair, it can affect the overall impression of Cambodia.”
He recognised that infrastructure investors need reasonable returns to maintain and operate their facilities, but said infrastructure investment should also support the wider tourism economy.
He called for a balance between commercial sustainability, affordable transportation and Cambodia's long-term tourism competitiveness.
Local Drivers Warn of Pressure on Their Livelihoods
The toll increase has also prompted concern among taxi and tuk-tuk drivers who depend heavily on tourism-related transportation services.
In a letter submitted to the provincial governor on September 26, drivers said the existing airport highway fees were too high and were seriously affecting their livelihoods.
The letter was signed by 467 drivers using their thumbprints.
“We are forced everyday to accept losses to retain customers. If we increase transportation fees in line with the highway management company's charges, it will affect tourists,” the drivers said.
Many operators depend on airport transfers as a source of daily income. With visitor numbers declining, they say additional operating expenses could make it increasingly difficult to maintain affordable fares and support their families.
Sinan warned that the government should not overlook the economic pressure on local drivers.
“When visitor numbers decline, even a few additional dollars per journey can significantly affect their income, especially if they cannot pass those costs on to customers,” he said.
He urged authorities to prioritise tourism recovery and local livelihoods while negotiating a reasonable and sustainable arrangement with the airport investor.
Angkor Wat Visitor Arrivals Fall Nearly 26%
The concerns come amid a significant decline in international visitor arrivals to Angkor Wat.
According to an Angkor Enterprise report published on November 1, the archaeological park welcomed 566,714 international visitors between January and October 2026, representing a 25.97% decline compared with the same period in 2025.
Ticket revenue reached nearly $27 million, down 24.25% year-on-year.
The decline in visitors and revenue has increased pressure on tourism businesses across Siem Reap, including hotels, restaurants, tour operators, transport providers and other businesses dependent on international arrivals.
Separately, Ministry of Tourism figures showed that Cambodia welcomed 2.46 million international tourists in the first nine months of 2026, a 43.7% decline from 4.37 million during the same period in 2025.
These figures cover different reporting periods and visitor categories: the Angkor Enterprise data relate specifically to international visitors to Angkor Wat from January to October, while the Ministry of Tourism figures cover international arrivals to Cambodia from January to September.
Industry Proposes Temporary Toll Suspension and Preferential Rates
Sinan recommended that the government engage in constructive dialogue with the airport operator, provincial authorities, transport associations and relevant ministries to review the new charges.
He proposed temporarily suspending the toll increase while authorities assess its impact on transport operators, visitors and Siem Reap's tourism competitiveness.
Other measures suggested include:
Preferential toll rates for licensed taxis and tuk-tuks.
Reduced charges for registered tourist transport vehicles.
Affordable monthly passes for regular airport operators.
Exemptions or special arrangements for eligible local transport providers.
A review of airport parking and related service charges.
More transparent and reasonably consistent pricing standards between SAI and Techo International Airport.
Sinan said such arrangements could reduce operating expenses for local transport businesses while allowing the airport operator to maintain the infrastructure.
He also acknowledged that SAI and Techo International Airport have different investment and operating arrangements, but argued that their parking and related service charges should be reviewed to ensure fair and transparent pricing.
Angkor Times Analysis: Balancing Airport Investment with Siem Reap's Tourism Recovery
The dispute over airport toll charges highlights a wider economic challenge for Siem Reap: how to maintain the commercial sustainability of major infrastructure while ensuring that tourism-related costs remain competitive.
Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport is an important gateway for international visitors travelling to the province. However, the distance between the airport and the city creates additional transportation requirements for passengers, drivers and tour operators.
When tolls and other transfer expenses increase, the impact can extend beyond individual drivers. Higher transfer costs may affect tour packages, independent travel budgets and the overall visitor experience.
The timing is particularly important given the reported decline in Angkor Wat arrivals and ticket revenue. Local tourism businesses are already facing pressure from weaker visitor demand, making additional operating expenses more difficult to absorb.
A practical solution would require dialogue between the government, airport operator and transport associations rather than treating the issue solely as a dispute over toll pricing.
Several measures deserve consideration:
1. Targeted relief for local transport operators. Preferential rates or monthly passes could help licensed drivers who make frequent airport journeys without necessarily removing the airport operator's entire toll revenue.
2. Transparent and predictable charges. Clear information on tolls, parking and airport access fees would help transport companies calculate costs and communicate prices to customers.
3. A review based on tourism impact. Authorities could assess how the charges affect airport transfers, tour packages, visitor spending and the financial position of local operators.
4. Protection of long-term investment confidence. Any changes should also consider the airport operator's contractual and infrastructure maintenance obligations, ensuring that relief measures are commercially and legally workable.
The central issue is not simply whether tolls should be increased or cancelled. It is how to develop a pricing arrangement that supports infrastructure operations without placing unnecessary pressure on the tourism businesses and communities that depend on the airport.
For Siem Reap, maintaining affordable and reliable airport transfers is part of protecting the destination's competitiveness and supporting the livelihoods of local tourism workers.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why are Siem Reap transport operators asking the government to cancel airport toll fees?
Drivers say the increased charges raise their operating costs at a time when tourism demand and their incomes are under pressure. They fear that increasing fares could make airport transfers less attractive to visitors.
2. When did the new Siem Reap airport toll rates take effect?
The toll rates returned to their original levels on November 1, 2026.
3. How much did the toll increase for cars and motorcycles?
The toll increased from $2 to $4 per trip.
4. How much do the largest trucks now pay?
The reported toll for the largest trucks increased from $8 to $16 per trip.
5. How many international visitors travelled to Angkor Wat in the first 10 months of 2026?
Angkor Enterprise reported 566,714 international visitors between January and October 2026, a 25.97% decline year-on-year.
6. How much revenue did Angkor Wat generate during this period?
Nearly $27 million in ticket revenue, representing a 24.25% year-on-year decline.
7. What solutions have tourism industry representatives proposed?
Suggestions include temporarily suspending the toll increase, introducing preferential rates for licensed transport operators, offering affordable monthly passes and reviewing airport parking charges.
8. Has the government officially cancelled the increased toll fees?
The source report describes requests for government intervention and proposals to review the charges. It does not confirm an official cancellation or final decision.