Dear Editor,

I totally agree with Matthew Robinson (The

Phnom Penh Post, Letters to the Editor, January 22) about the removal

of the chairs and tables from the riverside - Sisowath Quay.

Whose

bright idea was this? Much of the charm has disappeared and I suspect

many people, including me, will go for an outdoor drink or bite to eat

in another area where we are not forced to sit indoors now at some of

our favorite spots.

All those beautiful palm trees in front of

the Bougainvillier Hotel gone, as well as easy access to many menus.

Now you have to go inside to look at most of them.

Have the

police been around to check on the cars parked right across one's path,

or seen the many motos that now fill the spaces left vacant by street

sellers? This morning I even saw a tuk-tuk parked on the sidewalk. Nice

change!

Michael Sharpe

Phnom Penh