Moc Bai -Bavet: Crossing the Border

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  Bavet, Svay Riĕng, Cambodia
Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Its easy to tell when you are in a border town.  No matter where in the world, there are abundant police, scary looking guard/drug-sniffing dogs, sleazy characters that are likely up to no good, long lines, and where allowed, casinos. Each of these are present at the Bavet – Moc Bai border crossing between Cambodia and Vietnam.   There is something about these border towns that attract this type of activity.  If its not allowed in one country it will inspire an ad hoc industry conveniently on the border to capitalize on its illegality.  For example, gambling isn't allowed in Vietnam, but is in Cambodia. Subsequently, it has given rise to several large casinos just across the border.   I was on a bus continuing through to Phonm Penh, so I didn’t have a chance to explore their network of gaming tables.  I suspect that Cambodian casinos are just like those found in Reno, or Macau; no windows, and too much smoke. 

The USA Dollar is the de facto tender in Cambodia, change for anything less than $1 is given in the local currency; the Reil with a current exchange rate 4150 riel to $1.  Using the greenback makes financial matters much easier.  I no longer have to divide every purchase by 19,500 (current exchange rate for Vietnam Dong) to understand what I’m paying.  But, it does make everything comparatively more expensive.  Knowing that everybody has one dollar bills, drivers, and service providers will make their offers in full dollar increments, and . 

Like Vietnam, the primary mode of transportation is the motorbike, although there are a lot of upscale cars on the roads too.  This demonstrates the disparity of income among the Cambodian people.  In my short time here, I’ve seen more children begging for food, and more luxury Sport Utility Vehicles, than my whole two weeks in Vietnam.  Transparency International, an independent collation with the aim of ending worldwide corruption, ranked Cambodia 166 out of 180 for corruption in its 2008 "Corruption Potential Index".  This explains the disproportion of wealth that I’ve observed. Apparently, corruption leads to unjust living conditions.   

Included are some pictures of the border crossing, note the socialist design of the Vietnamese customs building and the classic Kehmer roof on the Cambodian customs building.  Next stop Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capitol city.

 
With Lasting Memories,

Brian Brady

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