By Lauren Crothers
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia
America’s First Lady Michelle Obama spent just two full days in Cambodia last month, but managed to rack up receipts worth $242,500 during her time in the Southeast Asian country promoting an education initiative aimed at young girls.
Although Obama arrived late on March 21, and departed that Sunday after making only three public appearances, a “justification and approval” document made public Friday shows that preparation for the trip meant the delegation had to book a significant number of rooms at a plush Siem Reap hotel for 14 nights.
Eighty-five single rooms, five office rooms, five sleeping suits and one conference room were booked out at the Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort. The document, however, shows that the delegation had also considered the Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, Victoria Angkor Resort and Spa, Park Hyatt and Le Meridien hotels before making a decision.
The Cambodia Daily reported Wednesday that Jay Raman, U.S. Embassy spokesperson, declined to comment with regard to the expenses listed in the document, which refers to Obama as a “unique senior level” VIP.
The document justifies the staggering cost by saying that there was an “urgent and compelling need” to secure the hotel, because Obama’s visit to promote the “Let Girls Learn” program was not announced well in advance.
During her time in Cambodia, which followed a three-day trip to Japan, Obama met with a group of female students and gave a speech to Peace Corps volunteers. She also took a private tour of the Angkor Wat temple complex.
The document relates only to the Cambodia portion of the trip, and does not say how much the Japanese leg cost.
