On Sunday afternoon, most commuters along Kampuchea Krom Boulevard were hiding from the rain under porches or umbrellas.
But one Westerner had a different idea. Removing all his clothes except his underpants, he drove his large motorcycle straight down the street at top speed.
He looked about 30, but he was acting like a boy cheering the first rain of the year, motorcycle taxi drivers said on Monday.
“He was mostly nude—even his head was nude, with no hair,” said Meas Rithy, 29, who witnessed the incident.
“He wore only sunglasses and black underwear. Those who saw him didn’t know what to say…so they just laughed at him.”
Don’t expect a repeat performance. On Monday, Phnom Penh Governor Chea Sophara announced a ban on shirtless drivers on the city’s streets, saying they marred the beauty of the city.
“I’ve seen some cyclo drivers wearing pants with one leg cut off or no shirt,” the governor said. “Drivers must wear shirts when driving along the street.”
Chev Hak, accident investigator for the Phnom Penh traffic police, said the shirtless men weren’t breaking any law and couldn’t be charged with any crime. “All we can do is arrest and educate them,” he said. “We are discussing this matter.”
Chev Hak said he had never considered the half-nude men a blight—just too poor to buy clothes.
Chea Sophara was adamant that his directive be enforced. “I must stop this. Do not allow this to go on anymore,” he said. “They can do whatever they want outside the city, but not once they get inside.”
The measure will make Phnom Penh more attractive when regional leaders gather here in November for the Asean summit, the governor said.
