Collecting in Cambodia

China is building now high speed train to Capital of Laos, Vientiane.
I wonder where’s gonna be “3rd world” in few decades.
In Canada high speed trains don’t exist.
Travel between two biggest cities Toronto and Montreal still takes more than 6 hrs. by the outdated by half a century diesel locomotives. Commuting in and out of the city takes forever too. No improvements in the plans for near future whatsoever as there is no money left, bringing in and paying all for Muslim refuges is more important than improving live of Canadians 🤮

Thank you, I will keep an eye out  

I know all the good Saturniidae from the top of my head when I see them but I do not know too much about hawkmoths, butterflies and other insect groups.. so tips are welcome, I plan on taking some specimens home too. 

Thanks a lot.
I have been told that the authorities in Laos are not so happy with collectors as the ones in Cambodia.
Is it wise to bribe them in Laos if we are confronted or will that only make more trouble? We will need to keep a low profile.

If officials ask for a bribe, negotiate. Thus the small bills in one pocket "this is all I have". Never offer to go to an ATM, if you have to offer to go to the hotel and get more cash. And, ask if you are going to get a receipt. Oddly enough, sometimes you will, but in general it can reduce the cost.

Some tourists may claim a large region or country perfectly safe. Sure, if you stay in an all-inclusive in Ocho Rios, Jamaica is great! And, tourists tend to group together making less of an interesting target. And, as I said, nothing good ever happens at night, particularly after alcohol fuels the borderline law abiders- even including downtown Nuku'alofa, Suva, and Papeete. I know a guy who's young family lived in Lae for years, and "nothing happened" but they were smart enough to take precautions.

You can't lump a country with a common claim to security. Cities are where the criminals are, by and large. Crime tends with the government, and trends with the economy. In Patpong you may get your pocket picked, but that's about it; in Siam Reap you are far more likely to be injured in a robbery than in Bangkok, and certainly far more likely than in Hanoi. KL has long been very safe, but with the drop in oil prices and loss of government services and control, crime is on the rise. The problem for tourists is that you can feel safe when you're not, and then it's too late.

The fact that some world travellers have journeyed to or collected in certain areas is not indicative of the general security situation or the safety of a new traveller. When in under-developed countries it is easy to spot the seasoned visitor, and the new people (hint #1: the new people are wearing short pants). I went in and out of Solomon Islands during their civil war; though I survived, some peace keepers did not, so certainly I'd have not advised it for most travellers.

In Cambodia, like I said, there remains a very real vestige of the KR, and they (and offspring) retain the way of thinking, which often includes opportunistic criminal activity. Once in country for a while you will gain insight and the ability to generally spot trouble.

Chuck

I have heard from past discussions on this forum that collecting as such in Cambodia is not terribly restricted; however, for the "desirables" such as Teinopalpus, etc. you are still out of luck in terms of exporting, as the government will only issue CITES paperwork to qualified researchers/officials/biological enterprises. (I guess it's that way all over; I guess CITES permits aren't supposed to be issued to civilians.)

If that has changed, let me know.

I will focus on moths anyways, while there are many desirable and valuable butterflies out there, I think most of them are well researched and collecting them is not of much benefit - moths however, are largely undocumented from what it seems, especially in Cambodia most of the operations will be light trapping