Jeeps a hit at Siem Reap temples

Classic military jeeps, left over from the civil war era, have been repurposed by an enterprising female entrepreneur in Siem Reap province.

Where once they carried grim-faced soldiers to the battlefield, they are now loaded with smiling tourists, who enjoy the open air vehicles as they take in the beauty of rural Siem Reap and the majestic temples of the Angkor Archaeological Park.

The iconic green vehicles not only deliver a fun and adventurous experience, but also contribute to the economies of local communities.

Lim Kanha, sales manager at adventurescambodia.com, recently took a jeep load of journalists to visit Preah Dak village in Banteay Srei district. She recalls that the business began operating in 2011, with just one jeep. 

“Thanks to the support of our customers, we have expanded the fleet, and now use 14 jeeps. We bought some of them from different provinces, and some from neighbouring countries,” she explains.

Keeping the vintage vehicles running is a labour of love, with the tour operator’s maintenance team constantly on the lookout for spare parts.

“Most of our jeeps are surplus military vehicles. Some people kept them in storage, while some were being used for agriculture or even for storing goods. We bought all of the examples we could find,” says Kanha.

She adds that aside from directly employing community members as staff, the tours help to drive sales of souvenirs, as well as traditional food and drink.

When tourists visit Preah Dak village, they are privileged to witness a place where time almost appears to have stood still. The villagers have proudly preserved their culture and slow-paced way of life.

Yol Sa, a 50-year-old national tour guide, says many of the villagers earn their living by selling handmade souvenirs and a variety of food items to their jeep-borne guests.

“They sell all kinds of special Khmer cakes, like num kruok – small round cakes made from rice flour and coconut cream,” he adds.

According to Sa, the jeep tour operator also organises cooking classes and demonstrations of how to make all kinds of unique treats.

He adds that tourists can also ride traditional ox or buffalo carts, adding the memory of a second kind of unusual transport to their experience. Community members can also earn additional income from offering the rides to visitors.

Nem Narin, almost 50, sells silk flowers in the village.

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