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Cambodia

Mar
2004-09-14 16:27:39

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Eating Cambodia

Entering Cambodia takes more time than leaving Thailand. It takes 30 minutes for the officials to write our passport and visa details in their notebook. In the meanwhile we watch the Thai day trippers crossing the border, heading directly to one of the enormous gambling resorts on either side of the road. We look back at the border crossing where the smooth (boring) Thai asphalt ends and the road with fine red gravel starts. On this side of the border tuk tuks and motors are waiting to bring the day trippers to the casino’s and to the border market 1km from here. Finally the officials are ready and hand us back our passports. "Can you give me 100 Baht ($2.5) per person, please?" the official asks. Actually we had expected this already 10 minutes ago, but I think since we have already our visa it is not the ''standard'' procedure for them. At the border crossing between Laos and Cambodia it seems that they won't even give back your passport without handing over $10,- . We both look back to the official, I have never seen a more sincere and serious begging look in anyone’s eyes. It’s just a question , not an aggressive thread at all. ''Why?" we both ask at the same time, just curious for his answer. "For the office" he says and points to three other officials and the simple room with empty walls, and to the big table with some paperwork. Their Thai colleagues 10 meters back have a nice office, air-conditioning, a nice uniform and some drink stalls around and a computer. We walk away as if we are not paying anything, of course it is nonsense to pay at the border. Because we had so much fun with them we finally donate 100Baht for their efforts with the remark to buy some nice posters for the office.

One room fits all - Kralanh

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