The Diversity of Economic Realities in Southeast Asia

I’ve traveled to four countries in Southeast Asia: Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Cambodia. Singapore was highly developed, Malaysia moderately so; Thailand was developing fast, while Cambodia was undeveloped. I’m looking forward to observing Vietnam in just a few short days and seeing how it compares to the rest of the region.

How undeveloped was Cambodia? To show you one anecdotal photo, I snapped this when our “taxi” (an unmarked, brand new Toyota Camry) stopped to refill somewhere between the Thai-Cambodia border and the ruins of Angkor Wat (a seven hour drive; cost for two passengers about US$16).

I’ve little idea about the reality of Vietnam on the ground, but I look forward to giving you first hand reports starting next week (but highly dependent on what kind of internet connections are available).