Cambodia’s microloan sector under scrutiny as poor drown in debt

Sam, a tut-tuk driver in Siem Reap, is unable to repay his bank after borrowing $20,000 [Courtesy of Phorn Bopha]

Siem Reap, Cambodia – When Sam’s hard-up relatives needed money to buy a plot of land and start their own business several years ago, they turned to Sathapana Bank in Siem Reap to borrow about $20,000.

Now the Siem Reap tuk-tuk driver and his wife are struggling to make monthly repayments of about $500.