T he Gecko hears that budget cutters should take note of a new restaurant in

Phnom Penh that offers hefty portions at rock bottom prices. Called the Asian

International Restaurant, the primarily Malaysian cuisine is located in

refurbished premises on St. 118 leading from the National Bank towards the

waterfront.

On the other side of town word is in that the Oasis

restaurant has just received a container of Aussie wines and proprietor Hans is

boldly proclaiming that "the drought is over."

Have you seen the dancing

bars in town where clients are requested to check their guns? The Gecko hears

that the one in Poipet recently entertained two customers who checked in three

hand grenades before they twirled the night away.

An expat businessman

relates that there seems to be a bit of contractor frenzy in the air over the

$24 million USAID-funded project to refurbish the Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville

highway, with several hopeful firms proudly boasting that they already have

supply contracts signed and sealed. What's interesting is that AID won't be

making any final decisions on contractors until late next month.

Do you

ever feel like you're being followed? A report just in from the Ministry of

National Security has it that the ministry maintains a staff of 800 whose sole

job is to watch foreigners day and night. The Gecko was asked to pass on this

query: Why not have this crack security force go out and do something useful

like catch bad guys?

With all the debate over the possibility of a new

press law, the Gecko heard that one official in the Ministry of Information said

that with a new law almost on the books he felt in his dealings with the press

he was now armed with a B-40 rocket launcher.

The recent visit by the

Thai Prime Minister had his hosts on their best behavior. During Chuan's visit

to see the Bayon temple in Siem Reap, one guide was about to give an explanation

of a series of carvings showing Khmers at war with the Thais, only to be told in

a whisper "No details, no details" by a foreign ministry official.

A

motorcyclist cautions others riding two-wheelers in Phnom Penh not to loose

their tempers if you get run off the road by a car. After chasing after one such

reckless motorist to complain about his driving, the offended individual in

question was met with a gun pointed at him when the car window was rolled

down.