On 1 January 2009, a new law went into effect in Phnom Penh that all motorcycle riders must wear motorcycle helmets.  No traffic laws are enforced in Cambodia so it will be interesting to observe compliance with the law. The new law certainly brought out the vendors, though. Everyone is selling helmets the last week or so.

The most common price for the helmets seems to be about $3.00 to $3.50.  You won't get much helmet for that price but the people are not buying them for safety, just to avoid being targeted by the police. The helmet vendors will make a bundle from this new law and so will the police who will pocket the extortion money they collect from helmetless riders.

"You mean we have to wear them, too?!"

Apparently she missed the part in the instructions about putting it on her head....