Many countries have a dual pricing systems for foreigners and locals at tourist attractions. India charges an exorbitant amount to tourists visiting the Taj Mahal, something I clearly oppose.
Cambodia takes this dual pricing to another level. Foreigners are expected to pay for everything in U.S. dollars. Right from "tuk tuk" rides to restaurants and hotels to entry at heritage sites and museums.
The logic behind this is that poor Cambodians need money from rich foreigners. I perfectly understand that the country is still recovering from the terror of the Khmer Rouge and Vietnamese occupation, but it's about time that it ensured that the U.S. dollar is not legal tender. Only when it starts making visitors use the local currency, will the country ever rise to the level of neighbouring Thailand.
Don't follow an official rip-off policy, my dear Khmer friends!
Cambodia takes this dual pricing to another level. Foreigners are expected to pay for everything in U.S. dollars. Right from "tuk tuk" rides to restaurants and hotels to entry at heritage sites and museums.
The logic behind this is that poor Cambodians need money from rich foreigners. I perfectly understand that the country is still recovering from the terror of the Khmer Rouge and Vietnamese occupation, but it's about time that it ensured that the U.S. dollar is not legal tender. Only when it starts making visitors use the local currency, will the country ever rise to the level of neighbouring Thailand.
Don't follow an official rip-off policy, my dear Khmer friends!
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