Original report from Phnom Penh
15 May 2008
[Editor's note: In the weeks leading into national polls, VOA Khmer will explore a wide number of election issues. The "Election Issues 2008" series will air stories on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by a related "Hello VOA" guest on Thursday. This is the second in a two-part series examining the tourism boom.]
Cambodia’s tourism sector is running at full steam, and while that may be beneficial for those it employs, it could create problems for people who are too busy in July to vote.
“I believe that most people who are drivers, guides and small vendors around the temples will not go to vote because they think about their stomachs,” said Pat Sambo, president of the Association of Tourist Services.
The tourism industry is bringing in millions of dollars in earnings each year, but for the 250,000 people the sector employs, there is not enough money going around for days off.
“If I have client on that day, I will not go to vote,” said Sao Samy, a taxi driver in Siem Reap.
Such reluctance to vote is worrying for election observers, who saw a big drop in the numbers of voters at the polls in last year’s commune elections. About 2.5 million registered voters did not show.
Still, not everyone is convinced tourism workers will skip Election Day.
Koy Sang, director of the Ministry of Tourism’s Siem Reap department, said people were aware of the importance of general elections, and “most of them will go to the ballot station.”
His optimism was echoed by election and rights officials, perhaps even because the government could be doing more to improve the sector.
The vast majority of visitors come for Angkor Wat and sometimes skip even Phnom Penh. But critics argue the whole country can be developed, spreading tourist wealth and alleviating poverty.
“We will include this in our political platform,” said Sam Rainsy Party Secretary-General Eng Chhay Ieng. “It is very important, after agriculture.”
Cambodia’s tourism sector is running at full steam, and while that may be beneficial for those it employs, it could create problems for people who are too busy in July to vote.
“I believe that most people who are drivers, guides and small vendors around the temples will not go to vote because they think about their stomachs,” said Pat Sambo, president of the Association of Tourist Services.
The tourism industry is bringing in millions of dollars in earnings each year, but for the 250,000 people the sector employs, there is not enough money going around for days off.
“If I have client on that day, I will not go to vote,” said Sao Samy, a taxi driver in Siem Reap.
Such reluctance to vote is worrying for election observers, who saw a big drop in the numbers of voters at the polls in last year’s commune elections. About 2.5 million registered voters did not show.
Still, not everyone is convinced tourism workers will skip Election Day.
Koy Sang, director of the Ministry of Tourism’s Siem Reap department, said people were aware of the importance of general elections, and “most of them will go to the ballot station.”
His optimism was echoed by election and rights officials, perhaps even because the government could be doing more to improve the sector.
The vast majority of visitors come for Angkor Wat and sometimes skip even Phnom Penh. But critics argue the whole country can be developed, spreading tourist wealth and alleviating poverty.
“We will include this in our political platform,” said Sam Rainsy Party Secretary-General Eng Chhay Ieng. “It is very important, after agriculture.”
5 comments:
The opening and closing of Polling Stattion gives ample time for voter to cast their vote.
Since Cambodia electoral system is a none compulsory for its citizen and therefore it relies on each individual whether or not they want to exercise their rights.
No justice with suppression forces that kille people every days and cheating controling of vote what we should go to vote for? To help CPP ligit? Go to hell we live in open prison with no right any way!
Fuck to vote Thank UN for delivry us from war to young Khmere Rouge killer!!
No justice with suppression forces that kille people every days and cheating controling of vote what we should go to vote for? To help CPP ligit? Go to hell we live in open prison with no right any way!
Fuck to vote Thank UN for delivry us from war to young Khmere Rouge killer!!
4:10 AM
If you don't feel like to vote then no one could force you but you failed to exercise your rights.
If you really wnt to see the change then you have to exercise your rights.
If all people are feeling the same way as you does now, then the change you are long expecting could not be realized.
One thing for sure that CPP supporters will be at the polling station since the early hours and queuing up to cast theirs vote.
More tourists means more job, which means more vote for CPP and down Ah Sam Rainsy.
Yahhhhhhh Hoooooooooooo!!!!
Post a Comment