In Cambodia, a popular cafe train to nowhere

Train travel has largely ground to a halt in Cambodia due to the coronavirus pandemic, but railway fans can still get their fix aboard a stationary carriage converted into a hipster cafe.

The train cafe - located at the Phnom Penh railway station has become a hub for Instagrammers and Facebookers looking for a selfie location and an iced coffee.

As authorities relax Covid-19 restrictions following a threeweek lockdown in the capital, people have been flocking to the cafe.

Among them is Chan Thol, a 19-year-old student, who along with her friends has made the cafe a regular haunt.

Se Sokunaphors, 27, said the train cafe concept was unique for Cambodians.

The carriage only required minor modifications including ripping out old sticky seats and replacing them with comfy chairs, said Sak Vanny, manager of passenger operations for Royal Railway Cambodia.

“We had the idea to turn a train carriage into a train cafe in order to generate some income for the company and help staff members with work during the pandemic,” she said.