The economic differences in Cambodia were startling. Especially compared to our trip in 1999 when everyone seemed to be poor or lower middle-class. It was almost impossible to get a clear answer from any Cambodia on exactly what the people earn, etc., but below are a few examples with clear-cut distinctions we noticed:

- New motorbikes cost around $1,400. Used around $600. You would expect to see motorbikes, regular bicycles and old cars in Southeast Asia. What we didn’t expect to see were hundreds of brand-new Lexus SUV’s everywhere. BMW’s, Toyota Ravas, Mercedes Benz. Who can afford these expensive cars? One word – corruption. Money from skimmed off development funds, cargo, petrol, import/export (the worst offenders), and palm oil plantations. Naturally, the “have-nots” are still using bullocks, ponies, horses or an old tractor for transportation.

 Lexus’ everywhere in Cambodia

another Lexus decorated to use at a wedding in Cambodia
- The difference in housing. You could build your own crude house from palm and/or bamboo with steps made from branches and/or a ramp…

house with a ramp in Cambodia
….A middle-class home was usually made out of wood with a gorgeous “boughten” staircase up…

house with nice, new staircase in Cambodia 

this house has painted blue steps in Cambodia
…And then there were mega-mansions that would look at home in any wealthy area around the world.

very nice mansion in Cambodia
- Hotels. I must give you an idea what it would cost you to visit Cambodia. The Kompong Thom hotel was $12 for two persons with air conditioning. Without air conditioning, $6 a night. Is this cheap enough? Then read what the prices of luxury hotels were in Siem Riep a little further on in this series. Massive extremes.

Rooms for $5 in Cambodia