My Oh My Cambodia

Recently I have been to Cambodia for an assignment to complete a garment company audit for a week - hell of a short period of time. I stayed in Casa Hotel, where the second floor is a prostitution hub, 3rd floor a karaoke VIP lounge, a casino and a dance club on the ground floor. If any guys are going for a tour, this hotel is superb. With a USD6 massage parlour at a very nearby, this hotel does not suit for a person going there to complete an assignment in a short period of time.

Cambodia is by far an undeveloped city living on its own real flat land. By looking from a plane, this place is real good for mass development of paddy fields. Due to the flat land i guess they have no hydroelectric plants that generate power. They do not have resources for nuclear power as well, and therefore, we are living in deem lights at night. Natural resources like electricity, water and gasoline is expensive compared to the cost of living. People are poor and children begs for money and child labour is abundant. For me, I live like a "king" there with my couple of hundred US Dollars on hand for a week. I even had a driver too! Haha..


Cambodian bus

Their public transport is - motorcycle bus. Unlike Bangkok, you can hardly see a taxi on the road. Most of the transportation is motorcycle-d. In the morning and evening, due to lack of law and order, the roads are so chaotic. As I cannot even stand the traffic situation in Kuala Lumpur, I will not be able to live in Phnom Penh. Facing the transportation situation everyday, I will die of an heart attack. Cars, trucks, lorries and bunch of motorcycles are coming from all the directions, and they do not give a shit about the traffic lights and even basic roundabout laws. I thought of where were the policemen? Then I knew, most of them parked their bikes at tree-shaded areas to sleep and enjoying their lives!


Chaotic at roundabout and junctions

Not everything is bad though. Some of the sceneries in Phnom Penh are great! Discover Phnom Penh:


The infamous Mekong River - ancient trade route for the Cambodians


Phnom Penh One


Phnom Penh Two


Phnom Penh Three


Phnom Penh Four


Naga Casino

According to my client, there were no casinos built in Cambodia in the past years. The only casino available is a floating casino in a ship moving along the Mekong River. So the government then granted a gambling licence to the boat owner and they started a luxurius casino called Naga. It appeared a normal building from the outside and once entered, you can hear birds chirping with the typical chinese environment with trees, mini chinese bridges on top of a small pond and artificial chinese-flavoured buildings. Above all the gambling tables, there a ceiling painted in blue and white immitating the true blue sky, which was so real as being presented. I wished I could take pictures. Due to the support of my client and my colleague, and with the good environment, I have won some USDs from the casino too, Yeah! It is a must go for anyone in Phnom Penh.


Shavy and Grace - Colleague and client


Mr. Virak - HR and Admin Manager


"Ei.." - that's what he's being called as. Our driver


The Russian Market - local handcrafts and motorcycle spare parts market


The Central Market - Replicas for your thrift


Going up to a temple - They said to pray for the God, and you will eventually get a husband/wife


Pray here..


Yeah I'm short in front of a tall temple tower


After all the tiring walk, a massage do great effects


Chinese Massage method - a-hole-on-the-bed


Common scene - one family on a bike - Grandma behind, child(ren) squeezed in the middle and the the father drives the family


Common scene - taxi bike

Our client, a public listed company in Malaysia is the main producer for Nike and Puma garments. They have established two garment factories in Cambodia as the labour here is cheaper than Malaysia. Although I am a cheap labour in Kuala Lumpur, I know how these labourors here feel. Stock loss is not uncommon and it is easy to take few home everyday.


The old factory


The new factory in a secluded area


As the electricity cost is high, our client resolved to engage own electricity generator, powered by the rising price of resource - diesel. Is it really economic feasible to run a factory in Cambodia? Hidden costs were so disregarded


The stocks - raw materials


Stocks again - finished goods


Rat loitering around factory perimeter. I noticed that one of the Cambodian woman worker actually threw plastic materials hard towards the rat. I was shocked at the violence

Well er I'd say staying in Cambodia is fun in a short period of time. I cannot imagine living there for some years. Most of the things are cheaply sold as the standard of living is low. Handphones are cheaper by RM300 or more as compared to Kuala Lumpur, but I cannot guarantee its longitivity. Garments are produced domestically and imported from Thailand, and they are extremely cheap. There are no gogo bars and the living here is more or less boring as the entertainments are limited. Food stalls looked dirty and there are no McDonalds or KFC or Pizza Hut outlets. Lucky Burger is what they only have and it is a monopoly of fast food industry in Phnom Penh.



Phnom Penh International Airport

We departed home on 19th and I rushed back to celebrate my girlfriend's birthday.... Happy Happy Happy Happy birthday dear.


Happy birthday to you

Bangkok - A Con And Friendly City

Recent trip to Bangkok was an eye-opener one. I thought that Bangkok is all same to Kuala Lumpur with all the traffic jams and the kiasu people rushing on the roads, but not all the time is true. People there are patriotic, chaotic but careful. No rules on the roads, but no accidents! Maybe I was not aware, I don't know, I don't see one. Talk about food, it's wierd. There are 4 side additional "add-ons" recipes in most if not all of the food stalls / vendors in Bangkok, be it in the shopping malls or hawker-like stalls - Chilli Powder, sugar, sauce, cut chillis. I got to taste my long missed vermicellis in Bangkok.


Tom Yum... yum... Added chilli powder and sugar - the first sips made me cough! - Siam Paragon


A wierd dish. Taste abit overcooked, but popular among local people - Siam Paragon



I don't know what is it called. But they are tasty. Saw some newspaper cuttings for this stall -- Near Ari Station



Small crispy fried crab! Tastes sweet and sour

Girls in Bangkok, generally speaking, have an unofficial working uniform and permed straight hair. So common to see them dressed in white top, black skirt with a brown belt around their slimmy waist, also (sometimes) a hair band on the head to look tidy. An example:

No matter how your face looks, put some foundation powder on the face, just dress like this makes you look professional and tidy - Thereafter I named them as "chicks" - Picture caught in Siam Square shopping district


Trans - Is it a He or She? I'll call it as "it" then

Alot of chicks make their appearance in Siam Paragon, Siam Centre, MBK, Siam Square and their surrounding area because of, none other than shopping, shopping and shopping. The shopping brands and varieties are better than Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia has alot more to catch up. The cosmetics and pharmacy products (except drugs) are cheaper than in Malaysia! More choices of Loreal brands, Ponds, you named it.


Evolutionary teeth care and whitening centre! For more info, PC with a mouse is available


The new and prestigous shopping paradise - Siam Paragon

Sightseeing in Bangkok generally includes Buddhist temples, floating market and the great palace, croccy farm and the infamous Soi Cowboy Road at night. I've managed to made it to several of the places but not all. Travelling to floating market and croccy farm requires a whole day trip and the cost is deadly - I did not go.

Wat Po - situated near Chinatown and home to the sleeping Buddha and the birth of massage. I came here to try the original Thai massage from the massage school. The massage is more expensive than normal massage parlours here, I don't know why. It's hot inside room and there are no installed air conditioners. Unlike other massage parlours, charges are relatively cheaper and we have cool air and sentimental music to ease our minds. Worth a try though. Alot of people especially tourists came for massage.


Wat Po - The background looked so fake!


Wat Po - All of the miniatures are China-Buddism-based and spotted this a lil different - Why is he wearing a western hat?


Wat Po


Wat Po - A row of sitting Buddhas


The main hero - The Sleeping Buddha from toe to head. Heard that it's made out of gold by the former Siam Dynasty. I'm proud of it


The feet of the Sleeping Buddha denotes the journey of after life events that would take place



Wat Po - The Grand Sitting Buddha


The lil Buddhas on top of the sitting Buddha and the "Stuff" before it. Picture seen is the King Rama 9 in monk robe


Is it for real? I think she pray she can get prettier and long live his boyfriend heheheh

In Thai, the King is seen a more than a man of leadership - Charismatic and care for the people. Unlike Malaysia, the King actually does nothing but to award higher status to "certain people" and sits at the palace and also greets other Muslim Kings that pays a visit to Malaysia. We have huge, I mean really huge banners to salute their King in Thailand. While we were about to start a show in cinema, all people actually stood up from their seats to give way to the national anthem and the King. I was in shock then. However, I think Malaysia going to fail if this is implemented in the cinemas.


Ouh, gold plated King !


A quick look at their Kings - from Rama I to Rama ... IX? No really sure. The left 3 are the first Ramas and the guy in red is the latest Rama. In green is Rama VI. I think the boy behind Rama IX is not a king, a prince or something


The Grand Palace - Nearby to Wat Po


The Grand Palace - Stricly no sleeveless or short pant attires! However, if you still insists on going inside, rentals of proper clothes are available opposite the Grand Palace

Then, after the Grand Palace, we have planned to head to Wat Arun - another major temple accross the Chao Phraya river. So we went to the jetty nearby, and reluctantly accepted a hardcore pursuasion by a conwoman who offerred a trip along the Chao Phraya river. It costs us 1,000 Baht for a stupid sightseeing trip along the river. Moreover, another conwoman with a boat along the river conned a 8 Baht Singha beer. A message to all Bangkokgoers - Do Not Ever Sit On A Chao Phraya Tour Boat No Matter What Happens!!!!!!


Chinatown - Town of textiles and goldsmiths


What?! An elephant on the roads in Silom district

Bangkok is very well-known for its Thai Girl shows. We headed to red light district - Soi Cowboy, a wierd name for that particular place.


Soi Cowboy - A major male tourist attraction


Soi Cowboy


Soi Cowboy


Soi Cowboy


Soi Cowboy


Soi Cowboy


Soi Cowboy


Exotic delicacy in Soi Cowboy - Fried cockroaches and selected bugs


Fuhh. Looking at it makes my stomach full of butterflies

I did not go in to any of the Soi Cowboys. Instead I went to a "Ping Pong" show in Silom area, recommended by a tuk tuk driver. All the people are friendly to tourists and felt very welcomed in Bangkok. But, with all the friendliness, sometimes they take advantage of your financials. Girls spend money on shopping, while guys spend alot on entertainments.

For me, it's ok to go Bangkok for a second time.