Happy Phnom Penh
China is prosperous and capitalist rich. Vietnam is next China. And Cambodia is next Vietnam. True?
I believe Cambodia still has some ten years to catch up with Vietnam, and Vietnam has some five years to chase after China. Just my personal perception, I may be wrong.
As far as I can see, after decades of civil war (1970-1975), genocide (1975-1979), and Vietnamese "colonialisation" (1979-1989), and a long road towards democracy (post 1989) peppered with political instability and proleterate-royalty tussle on the political front (1989-2003), Cambodia is only now making baby steps towards capitalism... and prosperity.
For a start, the functional international airports at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap/Angkor are private-run. Bigger and better things are set to come.
Nevertheless, judging from the infrastructure and public amenities that they have, the majority of people in the capital city of Phnom Peng are living a hard life. Pretty tough life.
New housing projects and villas are mushrooming but we never know how many of the common folks will get the bite of the sweet cherries.
There's one commodity, though, that most people could now enjoy to own. The mobile phones.
(Though two of my tuk-tuk drivers don't own one.)
These street shots depict how addicted mobile-phoning can be. They talk on the steering. They talk as the pillion rider. Cute!
LensaPress photo by Jeff Ooi
I rose early this morning, and I had a merry-go-round of the city in 90 minutes on a tuk-tuk. Single digital body with two lenses.
That's the happy Phnom Penh that I saw at a glance. More pictures are being uploaded on my travelogue.
(And I haven't had time to review the UAE collections!)
Comments
OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND... in a land of Happy People.
10 years ago, I wasn't using a handphone. 20 years back, I didn't even consider "enjoying such a luxurious commodity"...
How times have changed... and it's good to see the happy faces...
Posted by: beruangyogi![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.my/nav-commenters.gif)
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October 15, 2008 02:29 AM
How dependent we are now on handphones/mobilephones
For without them we are like being lost in jungle
Though we need to spend hours for our phone skills to hone
We're simply too happy with our phone habits when lines don't tangle
(C) Samuel Goh Kim Eng - 151008
http://MotivationInMotion.blogspot.com
Wed. 15th Oct. 2008.
Posted by: samgoh10![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.my/nav-commenters.gif)
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October 15, 2008 10:52 AM
I took a trip to Phnom Penh, Battambang and Ho Chi Min City by van last year..what a vast difference just crossing the border into Vietnam.. yes I agree with you Jeff...that Cambodia has about 10 years to catch up with Vietnam...but the heartening thing is that they are putting their hearts into it..and strongly recognizing at the ground level that one way out of poverty is via education.
Isn't it amazing how cellular technology can overcome the need for the traditional physical telco cabling infrastructure.. the curse and blessings of the "don't haves". My heart is with them!
Posted by: passerby![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.my/nav-commenters.gif)
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October 15, 2008 05:10 PM