Category: Topics

Society is changing in Cambodia and some of the changes are real progress. In this last of three postings about vehicles and transportation in Phnom Penh, click here to see some of “the other” modes.

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Here are more photos of transportation modes in Phnom Penh, this time focusing the slower and more pedestrian ways of getting around. Click here to see the pictures.

There are a variety of modes of transportation in Phnom Penh now, many more than when I first arrived. Click here to see the first part of a series on transport modes in the city.

Settling down

After the first coffee carts seemed successful, semi-permanent outlets started to appear on the sidewalks, staying there day and night. Click here to see some of the first of these.

The early days

Cambodia—and most of central and east Asia–are not coffee-drinking lands. Tea is the traditional drink. But in recent years Western influence has created a coffee-drinking frenzy in Cambodia. Click here to learn about the early days of the introduction of coffee.

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.

…combed my hair before I left!”

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.