Road to Cambodia
- Part 2 -

R.K. Shivachandra *

If once we reach Arnya Pratheth at Thai border, entering into Cambodia has never been a problem. Cambodia visas were issued instantly on Thailand side through Cambodia consulate office. Whole procedure may take one hour or so in case if it is group.

We also applied for re-entry visa for Thailand from the border to avoid inconvenience as we would exit Cambodia through Koh Kong and Trat another border point between Thai and Cambodia.

Few steps from the Border check-point towards Cambodia is a small border township called Poipet, a notorious gateway for many travellers coming from Thailand. It is a miserable huddle of touts, beggars, thieves and dodgy casinos for day tripping Thais. Spending any more time in this border town is not recommended if it is not absolutely necessary.

However the scenario of the trade business between the two countries seemed to be bustling at this border town. There were long lines of goods laden vehicles entering from both sides. Poipet also host gamblers around the world especially to Thai Nationals.

For casino is legal in Cambodia (illegal in Thailand). So the border town is a safe haven for many Thais who love gambling. It is like the case of Manipuris who drive down to Moreh as a weekend holiday trip to refill themselves with the finest scotch in a cosy restaurant at Tammu hopefully to appease the thirsty soul for another week or so.

Liquor is prohibited in Manipur but openly sold in the well fortified Manipur rifles battalions. In the heart of the city of Thangal Bazaar, a non- Manipuri also sells it free and open. On the other side local volunteers confiscated the local brews from the small time businesswomen who run the business with a meagre sum.

We hired a medium size Toyota and headed for Siem Reap. The road condition from Poipet to Siem Reap was another Imphal Mao road with giant size potholes. Entering Cambodia by land route is an experience indeed. The spotless clean Thailand road in one side and a muddy stretch on the Cambodian side is something worth remembering.

It is widely rumoured that the Poipet Siem- Siem Reap road is not developed on purpose to serve the interest of a single politician in Cambodia who operates private airplane charters from Poipet to Siem Reap. Even in Manipur some portion of Sardar Hills area could not develop owing to certain unscrupulous contractors, who played their dirtiest game to get the work, the by hook or by crook style.

So to start with these are the few similarities between Cambodia and Manipur. Along this International Highways one will find boards imprinted Cambodia People's Party, hung or be pasted every post and pillar.

This political Party enjoyed an outright majority in the Cambodia National Assembly since early 1979, after Hun Sen leader of the Cambodia People Party defected from the Khmer Rouge with a view to going hand in hand with Vietnamese forces aiming at a common motive that is to oust the Maoist regime that had sealed off the country in 1975 and killed an estimated 2 million people in an attempt to create a utopian society.

This always reminds me of our regional political party 'Manipur People's Party' in Manipur because of its sharing a common banner "People's Party". Manipur People's party is in the opposition chair despite an ear bursting war cry before the election.

In the aftermath of the election it was reduced to a small family with only five MLAs in its kitty. However the seasoned politicians who had gone through their bed and good time as well commented "Never despise a snake for it has no horn one day it may become a dragon".

Let us stay in watch whether Manipur people's party could hatch itself to another Cambodia People's party in the history of Manipur. Whatever it may be certain amount of dedication and hard work seemed to be still a demanding factor on the part of the politicians in this tiny part of the world.

Siem Reap is always in Cambodian tourist map for the famous Ankor War that stood tall in its massive structure to tell the world about its epitome of high classic Khmer ancestral architecture and civilization. The temple complex was built by King Suryabaman II in the early 12th century.

Pol Pot always boasted, "Cambodians.. we are inferior to none for our ancestors have built a structure like Ankor Wat in early 12th century". Infact many Khmers in Cambodia believed that the Ankor Wat was built by none other than the Hindu God Vishnu.

On reaching Siem Reap later in the evening, a refreshing breeze touched us softly. Big star hotels and cottages alike took its most fascinating forms amidst the twinkling city light. Sprawling meadows by the roadside of the city added more charm to this ancient city.

European in groups were seen playing billiards by the road side inns. Reckless Manipur style bootleggers were seen trotting around the street caring for none. Horse pulled cart were a common means of transport. The stillness of the evening was at times disturbed by the cries of those horses that pulled the master's cart since the morning till the city crowd dispersed to their homes.

Siem Reap tend us to forget the bumpy road that we strolled a while ago. Because of the limited time we could not visit many important places in Siem Reap. Early morning we had been to Tonle Sap Lake, the biggest fresh water lake in the South East Asia.

The numerous motorboats that ferry tourists in the middle of the lake spoke louder of the tourism business in Cambodia.

To be continued....