"I feel so happy when I hear the words Independence Day because it reminds me

of 50 years ago. In the past, near the time of Independence Day, many people would

walk around the Royal Palace. During that time, it was very safe to travel in our

country. We had trains working 24 hours per day."-Ouk Sophay, 56, cyclo-driver.

"Nowadays, I feel afraid for security because I always hear about someone who

was killed. However, I will go sightseeing along the riverbank in front of Royal

Palace. And I have the right to do anything, but my standard of living is increasingly

poor." -Hok Horn, 59, farmer.

"I will take my children to go for a walk on Independence Day. In my mind, when

I say the word 'independence' it means that all organizations, NGOs and government,

must be independent. Cambodian territory must also be independent, but today we still

have pressure from other countries. So how can we call our country an independent

country?" -Va Sek, 56, Phnom Penh resident.

"It's a time for me to take a rest from my job as a moto-taxi driver. I will

have time to stay with my family for a whole day because Independence Day is the

day that shows we all have rights. It is a holiday for people throughout the country.

But I wonder why the rich are richer and the poor become even poorer." -Srey

Seourn, 45, motor-taxi-driver

"I have no time to go anywhere. I am always busy doing my job to help people

travel safely, especially during Independence Day." -Chour Chamroeun, 47, Phnom

Penh traffic cop.

"I was so young in 1953, I cannot say it was good or bad during that time. Until

now, it has been difficult to estimate how much Cambodia has progressed since it

got independence from the French because we have seen many regimes since 1953."

-Um Sat, bodyguard of Prime Minister Hun Sen.