T he Gecko hears that budget cutters should take note of a new restaurant in
Phnom Penh that offers hefty portions at rock bottom prices. Called the Asian
International Restaurant, the primarily Malaysian cuisine is located in
refurbished premises on St. 118 leading from the National Bank towards the
waterfront.
On the other side of town word is in that the Oasis
restaurant has just received a container of Aussie wines and proprietor Hans is
boldly proclaiming that "the drought is over."
Have you seen the dancing
bars in town where clients are requested to check their guns? The Gecko hears
that the one in Poipet recently entertained two customers who checked in three
hand grenades before they twirled the night away.
An expat businessman
relates that there seems to be a bit of contractor frenzy in the air over the
$24 million USAID-funded project to refurbish the Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville
highway, with several hopeful firms proudly boasting that they already have
supply contracts signed and sealed. What's interesting is that AID won't be
making any final decisions on contractors until late next month.
Do you
ever feel like you're being followed? A report just in from the Ministry of
National Security has it that the ministry maintains a staff of 800 whose sole
job is to watch foreigners day and night. The Gecko was asked to pass on this
query: Why not have this crack security force go out and do something useful
like catch bad guys?
With all the debate over the possibility of a new
press law, the Gecko heard that one official in the Ministry of Information said
that with a new law almost on the books he felt in his dealings with the press
he was now armed with a B-40 rocket launcher.
The recent visit by the
Thai Prime Minister had his hosts on their best behavior. During Chuan's visit
to see the Bayon temple in Siem Reap, one guide was about to give an explanation
of a series of carvings showing Khmers at war with the Thais, only to be told in
a whisper "No details, no details" by a foreign ministry official.
A
motorcyclist cautions others riding two-wheelers in Phnom Penh not to loose
their tempers if you get run off the road by a car. After chasing after one such
reckless motorist to complain about his driving, the offended individual in
question was met with a gun pointed at him when the car window was rolled
down.
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