A Marxist Perspective on the Phnom Penh Walking Street

The much anticipated ‘Phnom Penh Walking Street’ was launched on February 1, 2025, and it is a one-of-a-kind pedestrian area in the Kingdom’s capital (Khmer Times, 2025). While almost every Cambodian applauds the government’s initiatives, I have made some observations and couldn’t help but write on this problem in detail. This is a Marxist perspective on the Phnom Penh Walking Street. 

 The Phnom Penh’s walking street, like many other urban areas, perpetuates the current social and economic inequalities. Although promoted as a space for all, in reality, the street’s function as a consumer space that highlights the wealth gaps between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat in contemporary Khmer society. The bourgeoisie, with high income and free time, come to the walking street to exercise and indulge in consumerism. Some, come to relax and enjoy the view of the Mekong, the Sap, and the Bassac Rivers as they intersect with one another, and to admire the historical Khmer architecture of the Royal Palace, the Chaktomuk Conference Hall, and other beautiful surrounding buildings. 

 The proletariat, in contrast, experiences the walking street as a space where their labour is commodified. Essentially, the walking street is just another place where they can gain extra income in the evening on the weekends after a long week of working for minimum wage. I, Kimlong Ly, asked an old uncle who is a Tuk-tuk driver, he mentioned that he only comes to the areas near the walking street to wait or look for riders. So, essentially, he is not getting the same walking street experience as others (the bourgeoisie).

 This divide, where the bourgeoisie benefits from the labour (and service) of the proletariat, mirrors the larger capitalist system of exploitation. The walking street thus serves as a clear illustration of the contradictions in Phnom Penh’s social structure, where the bourgeoisie’s leisure is enabled by the invisible labour of the working class. The proletariat’s role in the walking street is ultimately one of being in a lower position. 

 As one walks along the street, they should know that they are fortunate if they are there for exercise and relaxation rather than looking for extra income. Two people walking on the same walking street will, therefore, experience the street differently depending on their level of economic and social status. This is a Marxist perspective on the Phnom Penh Walking Street. 

 Phnom Penh, 23rd February 2025 

 Kimlong Ly

Reference: Khmer Times, (2025), Phnom Penh ‘Walking Street’ trial to launch on February 1st, Available at: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501631932/phnom-penh-walking-street-trial to-launch-on-february-1st/