Hey Local Guides,
Today, I would like to share the story of a woman who has become more than someone I met through my work. She has become a good friend, an inspiration, and one of the women I look up to.
Her name is Kim Sokleang, founder of the Ladies Tuk Tuk Association, based in Siem Reap. I first became interested in Kim’s story while I was interviewing and featuring her journey for CamboJA News. At that time, I was interested in the woman behind the tuk-tuk service, a woman who entered a profession traditionally dominated by men and created her own path in Cambodia’s tourism industry.
That story became the beginning of a friendship. Since then, Kim and I have stayed connected. Over time, I have come to know her not only as an entrepreneur and tuk-tuk driver but also as a mother, a determined woman, and someone who has inspired me personally.
Meet Kim.
In her own words: “Hi, I’m Kim. I’m a tuk-tuk driver and mother of two beautiful children. One of my children has a hearing and speech disability, and being able to support and care for my family is what motivates me every day.”
When Kim realised that she needed flexible and dependable work to support her family, she decided to create her own path. She obtained her driver’s licence, secured a loan, and bought her first tuk-tuk.
Kim’s journey was not easy, and she initially started driving in Phnom Penh, where tuk-tuk driving was largely considered a man’s profession. Some people were hesitant to trust a woman driver, and work was difficult to find.
But Kim did not give up, and she eventually moved to Siem Reap because she believed international visitors might be more open to the idea of having a woman as their driver. And she was right.
Building a life through tourism
Today, Kim has built a reputation among travellers visiting Siem Reap. She provides airport transfers, transportation around town, and customised trips to temples, local villages, and lesser-known places that are personally meaningful to her.
For Kim, being a driver is not simply about taking people from one destination to another. She takes pride in driving carefully and safely and helping visitors feel comfortable while exploring Cambodia.
As she describes it, many travellers may visit Siem Reap only once in their lifetime. Being part of that experience is something she values.
More than a tuk-tuk driver
What makes Kim’s story particularly meaningful to me is that her journey represents much more than transportation. She has challenged the idea that certain professions belong only to men. Through her work and the Ladies Tuk Tuk Association, she has helped create visibility for women working in the tourism sector.
Her story is also about resilience. She became a mother trying to provide for her family. She faced doubts and limited opportunities. She borrowed money to invest in her first tuk-tuk. She moved to another city and started again. Step by step, she built her own path.
From a journalist’s story to a friendship
From my experience, when I first featured Kim’s story, I travelled to Siem Reap to join the training, and I took my time to feature the story about and about other women, meeting someone, listening to their experiences, and telling their story.
But sometimes, journalism creates connections that continue long after an article is published. That happened with Kim and me.
We became good friends and have continued to keep in touch. Her journey has given me another perspective on women, entrepreneurship, resilience, and the importance of believing in yourself.
Kim has become one of my significant female inspirations and role models. I am grateful that my work as a journalist introduced me to her.
Why local stories matter
As local guides, we often contribute reviews, photographs, recommendations, and information about places. But behind every place are people.
A tuk-tuk ride can be more than a journey across Siem Reap. It can be a chance to meet a local person, hear their story, and understand a little more about the community.
Kim’s story reminds me that supporting local businesses can also mean supporting people’s dreams, families, independence, and future.
The next time you visit Siem Reap, look beyond the destination. Sometimes, the person taking you there has a story worth discovering.
Have you ever met a local business owner or community member during your travels who later became a friend or an inspiration? I would love to hear your story.
