Phnom Penh’s Cyclo Drivers Fear War’s Shadow Returning

[geovalin]

Net Sarom, KT

 

 

As tensions with Thailand simmer along Cambodia’s western border, the capital’s cyclo drivers—many elderly, some veterans—continue their daily grind through uncertain streets, haunted by memories of past wars and fearful of what lies ahead.

 

In Phnom Penh, the distant sound of artillery is absent, but anxiety lingers. For Ong Muth, a former soldier turned cyclo driver, today’s standoff feels all too familiar. “I’ve lived through wars before,” he said, “but this one worries me deeply. The way the Thai forces act—it’s not just weapons, it’s trust they’re breaking.”

 

With 18 Cambodian soldiers reportedly still detained and two returned severely injured, the ceasefire feels fragile at best. For drivers like Kham Roeun, whose family lives near the frontline, the sense of unease grows daily. “This isn’t just military posturing anymore,” he said. “They’ve gone too far. We need unity now more than ever.”

 

The economic toll is equally apparent. Hong Cheu, who pedals his cyclo through the city centre, says fewer passengers and a tense atmosphere have made each day harder. “People are staying home. I’ve lost business. The border may be far, but its impact is right here,” he said.

 

For others, like Korm Kun, a retired soldier still working to support himself, fear takes a back seat to frustration. “I’ve seen worse on the battlefield,” he said. “But what matters now is that peace, if promised, is real—not just words.”

 

Rickshaw driver Hong Songha echoed the sentiment, blaming modern weaponry and repeated ceasefire breaches for what he sees as a dangerous escalation. “This is more than border tension now,” he warned. “It’s hurting all of us.”

 

And for Neth Sarom, the news of captured soldiers has been deeply personal. “When I heard about the injuries, my heart sank,” he said quietly. “My son wants me to stop working, to stay safe. I just want this to end.”

 

Far from the front, these men pedal on—each ride marked not just by effort, but by an unspoken hope that peace, this time, will hold.

 

-2025-08-07