Wednesday, 4 March 2009

Vespas in Cambodia


Photo by: STEPHANIE MEE Monivong Vespa.
The Phnom Penh Post

Written by Stephanie Mee
Wednesday, 04 March 2009

Italy's iconic scooter remains a presence in Phnom Penh thanks to the efforts of a handful of enthusiasts and shop owners.

That famous Italian mode of transportation, the iconic Vespa scooter, has seen better days in Cambodia. Once a popular mode of transport in the Kingdom, the Vespa has now taken a back seat to the popular Honda Dream motorbike and its cousins.

But despite this fact, there are a few devotees left who are making the effort to prolong Vespas' lifespan in Phnom Penh.

Currently there are two shops in the capital that sell and restore Vespa scooters, Monivong Vespa on Monivong Boulevard, and Kim Hong Vespa on Charles de Gaulle Boulevard.

According to the elderly Bun Choun, owner of Monivong Vespa, the ‘60s and ‘70s were a heyday for Vespas in Cambodia, with Vespas coming in just behind cars as the trendiest mode of transport.

After the Pol Pot regime and ensuing civil war, many Vespas were exported out of Cambodia to Thailand and Vietnam, as well as a few European countries, and today the number of remaining Vespas has dropped significantly.

"Khmer people like newer, more modern bikes," said Bun Choun. "Vespas are mainly popular with foreigners, who more often than not, will buy the bikes here and then ship them home when they leave Cambodia."

Sam Sambath, or 'Bo', who owns the Kim Hong Vespa shop, said that today most of the Italian Vespas in Cambodia are leftover vintages from before the war, while the newer models come from the Vespa manufacturing plant in Taiwan.

"Generally, the models from Taiwan are cheaper and easier to care for as they are newer," said Bo. "The older bikes sometimes have engine problems, although they are easy to fix and we can replace any old parts with newer parts from Italy, Taiwan or Thailand."

Bo echoes Bun Choun's observations regarding the Vespa market in Cambodia.
"In general, customers are mainly foreigners or expatriates here in Phnom Penh. I think it's all about aesthetics; foreigners like the look of a Vespa, while Khmers prefer the more modern Japanese style bikes."

Despite the lack of popularity for Vespas here in Phnom Penh, there are a few enthusiasts who swear by their Vespas and hope to raise awareness and approval ratings of the bikes.

Tong Soprach, a local freelance consultant, has recently created the Phnom Penh Vespa Club with his friend Ben, and they organize biannual Vespa rallies in and around the capital.

"Anyone can join the Vespa Club and the rallies," said Tong Soprach. "The idea is to make new friends and acquaintances through Vespas and to show people that Vespas are still present and fashionable in Phnom Penh."

"People sometimes tease me about owning a Vespa," said Tong Soprach. "They say if you drive a Vespa you won't have a girlfriend because Cambodian girls don't like Vespas, but I don't care," he said laughing. "I like the design, the stability, the strength of the engine, the safety of the storage compartment, and even the sound."

Alan Haire, well-known Vespa owner and proprietor of the popular riverside bar and restaurant Green Vespa, also cited some advantages of owning a Vespa.

"Vespas are good city bikes in that they have storage compartments, which makes them easy to go shopping with, they seat two people very comfortably, and in general, people don't steal them."

Alan points out that the Vespa's lack of popularity in Cambodia may well be what keeps them exempt from theft.

"Most Cambodians see Vespas as ‘uncool' or a relic from the past, and they are therefore un-stealable," he said.

Vespa paraphernalia can be purchased at Green Vespa. Merchandise includes t-shirts, caps, beer coolers, and prints of vintage photographs of famous film stars and their Vespas, from the original Piaggio 50th anniversary calendar.

For Vespa riders and aficionados, the next Vespa rally will take place on International Women's Day on Sunday, commencing at the Post Office at 10am, and will include a tour of Sisowath Quay, Norodom Boulevard, Monivong Boulevard, ending at the Independence Monument.

Monivong Vespa is located at 703Eo on Monivong Boulevard. Kim Hong Vespa is located at 341Eo on Street 217.

Green Vespa Pub and Restaurant is located at 95 Sisowath Quay.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Me bun chun has pass away but he still keep the his last vespa that he made and build by his own hand . Don’t have anymore the old vespa that build by hand it’s maybe 2month for 1 vespa

Anonymous said...

Vespa Khmer cutler is very fantastic beacause we made by our hand step by step and take to much time. 1day I will show the vespa of mrr bun chun has keep 1 for his memeory before he pass away. It’s so amazing