Today is Monday and I agreed with the UNDP driver to go on another ride thought the city to catch the mood. We went first to a computer shop close to Central Market. This was to find somebody who can fix the problems with my network card.
We are heading north on 51st street. This is about 9:30 am. The brownish facility straight ahead in the middle of the road is the security fence of the US Embassy. Their compound appears to be the most intensely secured in town, not only in election time.
Still on 51st street.
Streets appear to be a bit more crowded than yesterday.
Central Market
Significantly busier than yesterday.
Monivong Boulevard
Police men behind a tree with Funcinpec advertisement.
Straight ahead is the Monument of Independence
Sihanouk Boulevard, much different from yesterday.
Norodom Boulevard
There are a number of police men behind the Land Cruiser.
Straight ahead at the junction a good number of strong police motor bikes are waiting.
People told me those bikes belong to the “Flying Tigers” unit of the Military Police. There are two helmets on each. I did not see the police men, but I am sure they are not far.
This is Sothearos Boulevard and behind the Toyota Camry upfront a number of Military Police is waiting.
This is opposite from the National Assembly, where two police trucks are parked. The wall behind them is the fence of the Royal Palace.
This is the front side of the Royal Palace.
Another police truck is parked in the shadow of the tree.
Behind this pavilion is the Mekong River. In front of it is still another police truck waiting. Police men blend with the crowd in the pavilion.
This is the northern part of the Palace compound, where yet other police trucks are waiting.
Riverside. This is where most tourists are.
We are heading further north on Sisowath Quay.
Wat Phnom in the north of the city.
Still not very busy.
Not much action at the Hotel Le Royal.
And not at the governors residence either.
This is the French Embassy.
This is the road leading up the Japanese Bridge over the Mekong in the north of the city.
Funcinpec headquarters.
The French Embassy is neighboring Funcinpec headquarters.
This is the place where people go to buy spare parts for their car. This spot looked much different yesterday.
This street neighbors France Street, on which we are heading south.
People seem to be doing what they usually do.
Wat Phnom again.
Ministry of Public Works
Railway station.
Police station close to where Monivong and Russian Boulevard meet. There is a good number of police trucks parked inside.
In the background is Central Market
Charles de Gaulle Boulevard.
Wat Sampao Meas
This is the Olympic Stadium. It is closed right now. The fact that it is closed was subject to much election campaigning. Funcinpec and CPP leaders accuse each other of being responsible for the unfavorable deal with the company that is supposed to develop the area.
Monireth Boulevard, where many demonstrations took place in the past.
Hotel Intercontinental in the south west of the city.
Mao Tse Toung Boulevard
Vietnamese Embassy
Another Sokimex petrol station ready for riots.
This road leads up to the other major bridge over the Mekong River in the south of the city.
Mostly poor people live here.
This is the Ministry of Interior. Under its authority are most of the department concerned with police. My UNDP friend told me that he was here in the morning and saw many riot police officers waiting on standby behind the ministry. We did not try to take pictures.
This is the main entrance to the Ministry, guarded by several police men. Ironically, this is where I work. Usually there is not so much police around. Sometimes the police men guarding the compound ask me for money. I found this very disturbing and talked to my colleague. He explained to me that those police man earn only about 15 to 20 $ per month and cannot make it without support. Therefore, I should feel free to contribute.
This is the Thai Embassy. There where massive riots in January destroying the entire interior of this building and the Vietnamese Embassy as well. Maybe I talk on another occasion about how those riots where caused. However, the Cambodian government made clear it would not mind paying for the damage of about 30 Mill. $.
I really wonder how this mob was able to enter a building as secure as this one.
This is the Japanese Embassy
This is where the Senate and several central government agencies are located.
Sam Rainsy headquarters. From preliminary election results it looks like Sam Rainsy will be the strongest party in Phnom Penh. However, they have no chance to become the strongest party in this election. The interesting question is rather who is second strongest party behind CPP. Most people think this will be rather Funcinpec than Sam Rainsy.
This is again where Sihanouk and Sothearos Boulevard meet and where those police motor bikes are waiting at the junction. They have gotten company from another police truck.
This is close to where Hun Sen lives.
This is Sihanouk close to the Monument of Independence, where another police truck is standing in the shadow of the tree straight ahead.
Sihanouk Boulevard
