Transportation in Kampong Cham

Transportation in the Provinces
7 September 2008

On our trip to Kampong Cham Province to visit one of our deaf women running her own small business, we encountered just about every form of Cambodian transportation except the prime minister's helicopter. There was a lot of mud but also surprisingly a lot of dust when a road would switch from wet to dry in the space of a few meters--and then switch back again.

National highway in Kampong Cham In the town of Kampong Cham, on National Highway 5, there is no sign of the rigors of travel in the nearby countryside. It's not a huge highway but it's paved.

Motorcyles beyond the paved roads Just a short distance out of the town, the paving disappears and motorcycles become the preferred mode of transport.

Charlie and muddy motorcycle The roads were extremely slippery from the mud and even the level sections were treacherous. On one small hill Charlie's driver started sliding backwards and the only thing to do was jump off as he tilted over into the mud.

Mekong River ferry We had to cross the Mekong River just a few miles outside of Kampong Cham town. The ferries quickly fill up with motorcycles and people on foot so the wait is not too long.

The front end of this truckload of building materials and workers went into the mud up to its axle and the rear wheels just spun in the mud even with all the weight in back. We dismounted and walked to let the moto drivers maneuver around the truck.

Homemade truck A vehicle with a better record in the mud is this homemade truck, usually an old Russian engine and chassis that has been completely rebuilt. They do get through the mud.

Ox cart Even more sure than the homemade trucks are the ox carts, especially if the load is heavy.

Horse cart For lighter loads or a few passengers, horse carts do just fine.

Two beds on a motorcycle This motorcycle was wending its way around the mud and potholes with two complete solid wood bed frames on the rear.

Bicycle on a dirt road For reliability, the good old bicycle is hard to beat. The road may be extremely muddy but usually the biker can get through, at worst with muddy feet and legs.

Walking, the surest way to travel And then the surest way to get around, although not the fastest, is just plain old walking.

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	In the town of Kampong Cham, on National Highway 5, there is no sign of the rigors of travel in the nearby countryside. It's not a huge highway but it's paved.
	Just a short distance out of the town, the paving disappears and motorcycles become the preferred mode of transport.
	The roads were extremely slippery from the mud and even the level sections were treacherous. On one small hill Charlie's driver started sliding backwards and the only thing to do was jump off as he tilted over into the mud.
	We had to cross the Mekong River just a few miles outside of Kampong Cham town. The ferries quickly fill up with motorcycles and people on foot so the wait is not too long.
	The front end of this truckload of building materials and workers went into the mud up to its axle and the rear wheels just spun in the mud even with all the weight in back. We dismounted and walked to let the moto drivers maneuver around the truck.
	A vehicle with a better record in the mud is this homemade truck, usually an old Russian engine and chassis that has been completely rebuilt. They do get through the mud.
	Even more sure than the homemade trucks are the ox carts, especially if the load is heavy.
	For lighter loads or a few passengers, horse carts do just fine.
	This motorcycle was wending its way around the mud and potholes with two complete solid wood bed frames on the rear.
	For reliability, the good old bicycle is hard to beat. The road may be extremely muddy but usually the biker can get through, at worst with muddy feet and legs.
	And then the surest way to get around, although not the fastest, is just plain old walking.