The worst road I ever traveled on was in Cambodia. It was from the Thailand border to Siem Reap, the city of Angkor Wat. Words can’t describe how bad the road was. Pot holes? No. Craters? Yes. When I arrived, the city was flush with tourists. Clearly there was enough money to build a new road, especially given it’s relatively short distance - about 150km. I asked around and soon got a reasonable explanation. The government run airline has a vested interest in keeping overland travel inconvenient and uncomfortable. So long as it is such, people will forgo that option and fly directly from Bangkok. To be sure no one paves that road, the airline employs some muscle. The guys who sell mosquito repellent in China must have the same strategy, for not a single window screen can be found in any of the three apartments I have lived. Just the smallest, almost financially insignificant addition could boost the standard of living considerably. Instead, you will be forced to soak yourself in oil, burn an atrocious smelling piece of incense, and seek refuge under a net.