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This is a picture of the clock outside the not closed railroad passenger terminal in Phnom Penh. In January 2004 I snuck in there to take some photos and see what it had once been. There appeared to be a time when riding trains in Cambodia was a grand thing...but that time is long gone in spite of what some tour books say when they tell about the trains that run from Phnom Penh. Today the only trains that are running are old freight cars with bags of Thai cement and an attempt to keep a passenger service running between Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh. |
Ground transportation outside of any city is difficult at best although far better than it was. If you travel between cites by bus or car, be prepared for breakdowns, choking dust during the dry season and deep mud holes during the monsoon season. Even new road construction breaks apart after a season or two as their techniques of construction are not by western standards. In May 2004 however, the road between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap has improved to the point where complete bridges and paved roads exist for the first 4 hours of the journey north out of Phnom Penh. After this, you will still have another 1.5-2 hours of transits around bridges and either very dusty or muddy roads. December 2003 - Beset by Delays, Route 1 Construction Races Toward Completion Security is no longer an issue however and other than a bag snatch or two off a Phnom Penh or Poi Pet motorbike, traveling throughout the country seems pretty safe nowadays. |
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This is a photo of what use to be the ticket windows in the main train station in Phnom Penh. Obviously closed long ago. |
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I think the picture says it all. |
Off the Rails - Train Lorry Travel Soon To Reach End of the Line When you travel around by moto around Phnom Penh, make sure you already know where you are going and how to get there as most moto drivers will indicate they know where you want to go and than charge off in the opposite direction. As you have already negotiated a price for the trip, this is not to increase the fare, they simply don't know what you said or where you are going. Even major roads can be a problem as most know them by their name, not their number. Examples include large streets like 215 (Nehru Blvd.) and 93 (Monivong Blvd.) Try to have a map on you when making these excursions around town. |
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On the Rails in Phnom Penh' Chas at the main train station that time forgot. |