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I have written before about the thousands of heavy wooden doors that are constantly being made in Cambodia. They are nice to look at before they weather and the varnish wears off, but they are often not well fitted. Click here to see some problems with Cambodian doors.
So often I have mentioned that discipline and order are not strong values in Cambodian society. It is perfectly acceptable to go both ways on either side of the street as evidenced by all these motorcycles going the wrong way in the lane. Perfectly acceptable.
Probably a fourth of vehicles on the road in Cambodia don’t have a full set of working lights. Many will have no lights at all. That is not a value for the motoring public here. Many others will have a wide spectrum of various colored lights, made even more dazzling by the advent of the bright LEDs. Click here for some photos.
Following normal (for the rest of the world) traffic rules is not a strong suit for Cambodians who are used to doing what they want and getting away with it.
One example is using rearview mirrors on motorcycles. It was after I arrived in Cambodia that mirrors were even required. When I first arrived new motorcycles didn’t even have mirrors.
Now they are still somewhat option, as seen in these photos, because their proper installation and use is not enforced. Observe how all these mirrors are useless unless the drivers are checking their makeup or combing their hair.
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The economic downturn has hit Cambodia even though the kingdom has had few COVID-19 infections. Many restaurants only serve takeaway orders and that has been a boost for the motorcycle deliver people. Click here to see some of them.
Notice where the wet track marks go in this picture…. They don’t go to the gas pumps. Instead they go THROUGH the gas station. Click here to see how Cambodian drivers shortcut through the stations.
Many countries utilize tuk-tuks (motorcycle-pulled wagons or bench seats) for local transportation and Cambodia definitely has its share of them. Click here to see how the styles have started to evolve.
About nine or ten years ago there was a new law that motorcycles have to have rearview mirrors. There’s no law that says people have to use them and there’s no enforcement so check these pictures to see the effect of the law.
One of many anomalies in the Kingdom of Wonder is why drivers do not drive in the center of a traffic lane but instead straddle the lines marking the lanes. Click here for more.
Most shops and stores are open to the elements in Phnom Penh and so shop owners need to consider how prolonged direct sunshine will affect their wares on display–and also their customers. Click here to see some ways the proprietors deal with the sun.