As the deadline approaches for right-hand drive cars to get off Cambodia’s roads, it appears many owners haven’t made the switch.
Ahmad Yahya, secretary of state for the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, said even the threat of having their vehicles seized by the state if the vehicles aren’t converted by Jan 1 hasn’t sent many owners to repair shops.
The Ministry of Public Works first issued the directive on Feb 22, 1999. Taing Te Por, managing director of Lien Thong Company, which has a license from the Public Works and Transport Ministry to convert the cars, says his company has converted about 150 vehicles. The cheapest conversion is $500.
Ahmad Yahya said the price tag is slowing some motorists, while Taing Te Por says without the threat of fines, owners won’t hurry to convert.
Tor Viceth, who owns one of the 20,000 right-hand drive vehicles in the country, said he can’t afford to convert his car.
“I bought my car for $600, and the cost of conversion is more than that,” he said. “I should give it to relatives in the countryside for carrying rice rather than have it seized.”
