PP a shithole in comparison to where? Bangkok, London, Delhi? Again, it's a developing country, wtf do you expect? And security in central PP with AK's? Nah mate, only the police or army carry AK's nowadays. And yes, I've walked all over PP pissed out my nut in the early hours and guess what, I'm still alive! Only pussies shit it from walking about at night. Oh, and a large percentage of Thai are ethnically the same as Khmers, so you're talking shite about the women being uglier than Thais, they're the same fucking people! A lot of it probably comes down to Thais being richer and healthier and having more cash for trndy clothes and make up.
As to the rest of your post, the only bit of any value is your advice to get a reliable driver.
Funny that, as UNTAC left in the nineties mate. What year did you first visit? Guns in markets were long gone by 06. Like someone else said, I think you've been reading 'Off the Rails' too much.got a pic somewhere of a un truck there in 06, last time I was there was at the puncak , I think 172 , just opposite a temple, can't remember exactly, front doors were shot out second night there,
mind you when I 1st went there u could buy a gun or grenade at the Russian market. don't think that's open any more