Saturday, March 7, 2009

Strange images of development in Phnom Penh

On Saturday 7/2/2009, I did a small promenade along the Mekong River before I went to Raksmey's house. We stopped at Samdech Chourn Nath Park and took some pictures. Near the park, there are a big building and a small Khmer style building.

The big building is Naga Casino and the small one is Buddhist Institute (something like that). For me, the big building represents Money and/or Corruption Power and the small building religion, morality and wisdom. So, it is strange that the two buildings that have nothing in commun can be built colse to each other. Well, this is Cambodia and everything is possible.


Left: Naga Casino, Right: Buddhist Institute

I continued walking toward Mekong River and looked back to the Casino. I saw again a new Khmer Style building. I asked Vansak and Savonnara what is it? It is the Cambodian Foreign Ministry. I joked: well, the Casino is there to relax employees working for the foreign ministry. This way, they will not spend much time to drive as the Casino door is on the ministry's fence :-) Or may be there is a underground tunnel between the ministry and the casino! Waoh, I have never thought that Cambodian politicians think as much toward their beloved employees :-))

Behind the foreign ministry is the new national assembly (if I remember correctly). May be the deputies want to be closed to the Casino to have an eye on it all the time:-))



Left: Foreign Ministry, Rigth: Naga Casino


Along the Mekong River, there are panels which announce the undergo constructions of "Elite Town" on the island which stands at the separation of the Mekong River into two (the Mekong River itself and Bassac River -- if I remember well my lesson!).

In the picture below, you can see the island on the left. It will be soon enlarged by sands pumping from the Mekong River itself. On the right is the map of the future island.




People come to visit their dreaming house



Below are the type of houses/flats they propose. Each house has its private swimming pool. Well, they look very nice!

I was thinking of buying a house in this Elite Town for my old days but they price frozen me. Even the price is reduced by 1 million USD, it still costs too much. I can afford only 1 buck a day :-)) Well, at least dream is free for all ordinary Cambodians.

I hope that the land is not donated for free to the beloved investors of the Cambodian government.Well, I think it doesn't change much if the governmet get paid or not for this island as the poor Cambodians have never seen anything.Or may be the money is already spent in the Casino? [I joke of course]



People come to visit their dreaming residence...

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