Politics

Politics are everywhere! And, unfortunately, politics are alive and well in Cambodia! Maybe even more so there. Last year, one of the things I enjoyed the most is getting to know the tuk tuk drivers. I got to know some more than others. I rode with many of them, and gave each one a gift when I left.They remember this gift still. There were politics amongst them then, but I think I got around it because I was here so long. I was able to use many of them and they seemed ok with it. The way it normally works is you come to town for a few days. The hotel sends a tuk tuk driver to fetch you from the airport. This is a free service they provide. The tuk tuk driver drives you around the rest of the time you are here and you leave. I knew this, and wanted to use my favorite tuk tuk drivers, so I got a taxi instead. I didn't worry much about a particular driver when I got here, because I took a bike to the orphanage. But, in the evening, if I wanted to go out, I would use whoever was here. This one particular guy, Mr. Thai, was always here. I was familiar with him, so he drove us a couple times. So, the weekend comes and I want to go to the temple. This is a coveted job, because it is significantly more money (up to $30 per day). I wanted to arrange with my favorite driver from last year, Mr. Thet. It was his turn, so we were in luck. But, then Mr. Thai came up and said that since we rode with him, we are now committed to him. He has to drive us the rest of our stay. We cannot get another driver. I tried to reason with him and agreed to go with him one day and Mr. Thet the other day. He refused and said he wanted to take us every day. We cannot go with anyone else. So, I said I would just go with Mr. Thet every day, but he said I could not because I committed to him. I complained to the hotel, and they said I could go with who I want. I went back out there, and Mr. Thai continued to be adamant. The hotel worker came out, and after a heated discussion, we were told it is better to go to the market and use another driver. We cannot use any of the hotel drivers if we do not use Mr. Thai. Mr. Thet just stayed out of it. He doesn't want to ruffle any feathers. He emailed me later to say he is sorry, and that Mr. Thai has always been like this. All of the drivers are afraid of him and let him have his way. It is unfortunate, because he and the other drivers lost our business. Nobody benefits. Everyone loses.