Cambodia is a democracy in that they have elections every five years. However there are many areas where their democracy falls short. Cambodia’s entire population of 8 million was forced out of the cities to work in rice fields. Intellectuals of any class were murdered. Cambodia has annnounced plans to erect walls across disputed border territories, including over the territory at Preah Vihear. In effect, they´re going to prevent access to the temple from Thailand and try building cable car access from the Cambodian side. Cambodia has come a long way in the last several years. The economy is growing. Cambodian Buddhism exists side-by-side with, and to some extent intermingles with, pre-Buddhist animism and Brahman practices. Most Cambodians, whether or not they profess to be Buddhists (or Muslims), believe in a rich supernatural world. Cambodia would literally be hell on earth for Crive. If he had booked himself on the same bus we banked from Siem Reap to Bangkok. Cambodia has all the makings of an idyllic tourist destination: miles of coastline, year-round warm weather and a rich cultural heritage. Instead, it is a country with a tumultuous past, one that has been caught for decades in the middle of warring nations and civil unrest. Cambodia has one of the most hack-friendly, McGyver-friendly cultures I’ve ever seen, in which locals can make just about anything out of whatever is available. I don’t think eating rat is inherently more nasty than eating a Big Mac. Cambodia´s press is more or less free to write about corruption.

Burmas banking system is barely functional, and the government tightly controls trade. According to the Progressive Policy Institute, Burmese rice exports have dropped by 99 percent since 1950. Burma´s official sources say that between nine and 15 people died during the crackdown; local journalists say, however, that around 200 civilians died. The number of people detained during the crackdown probably exceeds 1,500. Burma, with its deep-seated institutional decay, is closer to Sudan and Ethiopia than to the successful democratic-transition cases. Burma´s refugee crisis has a regional impact and the number of refugees from the country is believed to be more than one million. Burma has had a troubled history, for which the British Empire was primarily responsible. Britain pretty much took over the economic running of the country, totally exploiting its resources, and engineering wars to crush any opposition in the 19th century. Burma policy, leading to bitterness and polarization on both sides. Although the UN Security Council now does talk openly about Burma as a threat to international peace and security, China and Russia have vetoed attempts to impose international sanctions. Burmese people are “voting with their feet” and making the long, arduous, and often dangerous journey to Thailand to seek health care. Burmese music blasts from a sidewalk merchant. Others sell betelnut, the mildly narcotic that stains the teeth of its users red, and piles of vegetables.

Bangkok has now two airports operating and it is a major hub of international air traffic. Vehicles drive on the left side of the road. Bangkok: where the three so-called seasons Hot, Wet, and why are you doing this to me? Bangkok is home of the regional headquarters of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), as well as many other international businesses and organizations. Bangkok’s educational and cultural facilities include five universities, a fine arts academy, the national theater, and the national museum, which has a large collection of Thai antiquities. Bangkok is a shopaholic´s delight. There are luxury items, handicrafts, art, antiques, silks and other textiles, and jewels. Bangkok´s deep history, unique culture and religious roots attract thousands of visitors each year. See great deals on flights to Bangkok right now. Bangkok has long been the gateway to Asia for foreign interests seeking new markets. The city is a major economic and financial center of Southeast Asia.

Ayutthaya is on an island formed by being at the junction of 2 rivers, and the boat circled the island, with scheduled stops at various places of interest. The first part of the boat trip took us past what was obviously the worst part of town with rundown slum-type housing lining the banks, and it was quite dirty and smelly. Ayutthaya is about 70 k’s north of Bangkok. We travelled 3rd class on the train, which was suprisingly very good. Ayutthaya dominated a considerable area, ranging from the Islamic states on the Malay Peninsula to states in northern Thailand. Nonetheless, the Burmese, who had control of Lanna and had also unified their kingdom under a powerful dynasty, launched several invasion attempts in the 1750s and 1760s. Ayutthaya, former capital of Thailand from 1350 to 1767, is an interesting historic spot. Unlike other tourist centres, Ayutthaya’s main attraction is not its beautiful scenery, but its calm atmosphere with the remains (ruins) resulting from the destruction by the invading Burmese army in 1767. Ayutthaya known as Ayudhya is situated in Thailand (80-90kms south of Bangkok), almost an hour journey from Bangkok by taxi. Ayutthaya was established in 1350 by Prince UThong after the demise of Sukhothai (the first Thai capital which, eventually, amalgamated with Ayutthaya). As in other parts of Asia, and Europe, Kingdoms were in a state of flux as barons, petty princes and potential conquerors fought for areas of power and influence.