DATE=2/9/2000
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
TITLE=CAMBODIAN TRAIN
NUMBER=5-45414
BYLINE=KAY JOHNSTON
DATELINE=PHNOM PENH
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Cambodia might not be the first thing to come
to mind when travelers think of as a place to get away
from it all. The country's very name conjures images
of the "killing fields" of the brutal Khmer Rouge
guerrillas. But, with its long civil war finally over,
over, Cambodia is looking to tourism to help rebuild
its shattered economy. The country recently launched
its first railroad train tour in nearly 35 years. Kay
Johnson was on the maiden voyage and has this report
from Phnom Penh.
TEXT:
/// TRAIN SOUNDS, TOURIST CHAT///
The 75 tourists -- mainly from Thailand -- came for
the scenery and also for the train. Seated behind an
antique Pacific-class steam engine brought out of
retirement for the trip, they watched Cambodia's
countryside fly by.
The travelers marked a milestone for the country's
battered tourist trade.
The last time sightseers took this train route --
leaving from Phnom Penh to the southern town Kampot --
it ended in disaster. In 1994, Khmer Rouge guerrillas
ambushed the Kampot train and took three Western
backpackers hostage. Their bodies found in a ditch
months later.
Choosing the very same route for the first organized
train tour since the incident might seem like tempting
fate. But tourism official Thong Korn says the choice
was deliberate.
/// THONG KORN ACTUALITY///
The purpose is to show that Cambodia now is at
peace. Everywhere, every people can enjoy
everywhere in the country, at nighttime.
Everywhere. You see now, even in the countryside --
100 kilometers from the city - wehave no problems.
/// END ACTUALITY ///
The war with the Khmer Rouge ended last year with the
capture of the last remaining commander. Now, Cambodia
is counting on the tourist trade to help rebuild its
ravaged economy. It has a major advantage in the
world-famous Angkor temples -- ruins from the ancient
Khmer Empire that have been compared to Egypt's
pyramids in scope and beauty.
But tourism officials say they want other attractions
to offer visitors that will bring them to different
parts of the country. Kampot, for example, has lush
scenery and pristine waterfalls that make it a natural
for eco-tourism.
/// TRAIN NOISE - IN AND UNDER ///
Another potential draw for tourists are the eight
steam engines now gathering cobwebs in a Phnom Penh
warehouse. Although they have not been regularly used
for decades, most are in near-working order. Tourism
officials say they would like to run regular steam
engine trips to provincial capitals aimed at train
enthusiasts in Europe and America.
The resurrection trip of the Pacific engine was hailed
as a success by nearly everyone. Engineer Chun Samoeun
said he especially enjoyed the trip after years of
driving diesel engines.
/// KHMER ACTUALITY WITH TRANSLATION ///
He likes driving this one. (Why?) Because the
tourists, they like to go by this kind of train,
all the people welcome and enjoy this kind of
train.
/// END ACTUALITY ///
But officials admit that much needs to be done before
the steam train tours can become a regular offering.
For one thing, many of the country's railways need
repair. Money is also needed to repair the other
engines.
/// TRAIN WHISTLE, FADE IN AND OUT ///
Like so many things in Cambodia, the infrastructure
has deteriorated from years of war and neglect.
Despite the odds, the weekend trip was a success and
proved that there still is a demand for train tours.
(Signed)
NEB/KJ/GC/TVM/WD
TEXT:
NEB/WTW/
09-Feb-2000 05:10 AM EDT (09-Feb-2000 1010 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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