Sunday, 13 January 2008
Eight-man gang of drug dealers arrested
General News
Sunday January 13, 2008
A major leader of a drug-dealing gang in the Ratchadapisek area was arrested along with seven members of the gang yesterday. Pol Maj-Gen Worasak Noppasittiporn, commander of Metropolitan Police Area 2, said Sanya Lumsiri, the gang leader, and seven others were charged with possessing narcotic drugs for sale.
Police seized 4,450 methamphetamine pills, 77 grammes of crystal methamphetamine and 1,017 ecstasy pills as well as a 9mm pistol and a rifle during the raid.
The suspects admitted they sold the drugs, which were smuggled from Cambodia through Sa Kaeo province, to teenagers who frequented entertainment venues on Ratchadapisek road.
Sunday January 13, 2008
A major leader of a drug-dealing gang in the Ratchadapisek area was arrested along with seven members of the gang yesterday. Pol Maj-Gen Worasak Noppasittiporn, commander of Metropolitan Police Area 2, said Sanya Lumsiri, the gang leader, and seven others were charged with possessing narcotic drugs for sale.
Police seized 4,450 methamphetamine pills, 77 grammes of crystal methamphetamine and 1,017 ecstasy pills as well as a 9mm pistol and a rifle during the raid.
The suspects admitted they sold the drugs, which were smuggled from Cambodia through Sa Kaeo province, to teenagers who frequented entertainment venues on Ratchadapisek road.
Income from Angkor Wat Is More Than $60 Million, but the State Gets Less Than $10 Million
13 January 2008
The Mirror, Vol. 12, No. 542
“Parliamentarian Son Chhay wrote a letter to Prime Minister Mr. Hun Sen, asking him to reconsider the rights granted the Sokimex company to administer Angkor Wat. In a letter to Prime Minister Mr. Hun Sen on 10 January 2008, Mr. Son Chhay pointed out that the rights granted to Oknha Sok Kong’s company to administer Angkor Wat makes the state lose not less than $50 million each year.
“In 2007 alone, the income from tourists visiting Angkor Wat was approximately US$50 million, but the government gave a contract to Oknha Sok Kong’s company to manage Angkor Wat, through which the state gets every year only US$10 million from the company. As a consequence, Angkor Wat, which is the most important Khmer heritage, easily benefits Sok Kong’s company not less than $50 million each year. Therefore, Mr. Son Chhay asked the government, especially Prime Minister Mr. Hun Sen, to reconsider the contract given to the Sokimex Company to administer Angkor Wat; otherwise, the government will continue to lose benefits while the company does not do anything to protect or maintain Angkor Wat. This means that the Sokimex Company of Oknha Sok Kong can sleep and still wait to easily receive benefits from the historical heritage of all Khmers.
“Mr. Son Chhay affirmed that this is an issue the government must reconsider, relating to the granting of rights, and in future there should be bids announced appropriately, not again to be conducted quietly, giving the right to Sok Kong’s company like it happened. At present, it is affirmed that the number of tourists increased in 2007; the number of foreign tourists that visited Cambodian was more than two million. According to officials of the Ministry of Tourism, it is expected that in 2008 the number of tourists will continue to increase. Though the number of tourists increases, the government does not update the contract with the Sokimex company to increase the amount of money to be paid to the government. The amount continues to be maintained at $10 million per year.
“Mr. Son Chhay said that there is nothing to be seen which was developed and paid for by the Sokimex company; that means that the company just waits to get benefits easily. He said that even the toilets for tourists are not good, which is a shame for the nation. Nonetheless, the government seems not to think about what Mr. Son Chhay has raised. According to reports, the government still continues to grant the right to Sok Kong’s company to manage Angkor Wat and to collect money from all tourists.
“The Ministry of Tourism boasted about the increase in the number of tourists visiting Cambodia, especially coming to visit Angkor Wat, and that in 2007, the number of tourists was more than two million. However, the big amount of income from the tourists does not go into the national treasury. On the contrary, it remains in the hands of businesspeople of a private company. To give the right to Oknha Sok Kong’s company to manage Angkor Wat is like to allow this company to collect money from the tourists just on its own, while the state loses tens of millions of dollars each year. It is not known why such an easy arithmetic has been agreed upon; the government as well as the Prime Minister has many well-educated advisors - why do they not see an easy way of creating benefits from Angkor Wat; or is the money, which Sok Kong’s company earns, quietly shared with government officials and not put into the national treasury? If a simple farmer would manage Angkor Wat instead of Sok Kong’s company, and the government would each year just wait to get $50 million from the farmer, this would also be possible. But Sok Kong’s company probably provides $40 million of the $50 million earned to government leaders, keeps $10 million for itself, and hands on $10 million for the nation. Doing so can solve problems for this company so that the company maintains the right to continue to manage the temple area, and it can easily collect money from the tourists. It is believed that this is why the government does not stop Sok Kong’s company from managing Angkor Wat.
“Mr. Son Chhay thinks that it is a shame for the Khmer nation to have Angkor Wat, but the state does not have the ability to manage the temple area; instead, it gives the management to a private company to put toll gates on the ways into the Angkor Wat temple area in order to collect money from foreign tourists. Mr. Son Chhay demanded that Prime Minister Mr. Hun Sen reconsiders the contract between the government and the Sokimex company on the management of Angkor Wat soon, because while the number of tourists increases, the company does not spend anything on Angkor Wat, the company just sleeps and waits to easily collect money from the historical heritage of our Khmer ancestors.
“But will the government take Angkor Wat away from being managed by the businessman Sok Kong or not? By retaining Sok Kong’s company to manage Angkor Wat, officials get much money into their own pockets, but the government gets little. When the government has little money, it cannot spend much on various services. At the end, only high ranking officials and businesspeople live comfortably from the heritage of our Khmer ancestors who are the ancestors of all.”
Samleng Yuvachun Khmer, Vol.15, #3227, 12.1.2008
The Mirror, Vol. 12, No. 542
“Parliamentarian Son Chhay wrote a letter to Prime Minister Mr. Hun Sen, asking him to reconsider the rights granted the Sokimex company to administer Angkor Wat. In a letter to Prime Minister Mr. Hun Sen on 10 January 2008, Mr. Son Chhay pointed out that the rights granted to Oknha Sok Kong’s company to administer Angkor Wat makes the state lose not less than $50 million each year.
“In 2007 alone, the income from tourists visiting Angkor Wat was approximately US$50 million, but the government gave a contract to Oknha Sok Kong’s company to manage Angkor Wat, through which the state gets every year only US$10 million from the company. As a consequence, Angkor Wat, which is the most important Khmer heritage, easily benefits Sok Kong’s company not less than $50 million each year. Therefore, Mr. Son Chhay asked the government, especially Prime Minister Mr. Hun Sen, to reconsider the contract given to the Sokimex Company to administer Angkor Wat; otherwise, the government will continue to lose benefits while the company does not do anything to protect or maintain Angkor Wat. This means that the Sokimex Company of Oknha Sok Kong can sleep and still wait to easily receive benefits from the historical heritage of all Khmers.
“Mr. Son Chhay affirmed that this is an issue the government must reconsider, relating to the granting of rights, and in future there should be bids announced appropriately, not again to be conducted quietly, giving the right to Sok Kong’s company like it happened. At present, it is affirmed that the number of tourists increased in 2007; the number of foreign tourists that visited Cambodian was more than two million. According to officials of the Ministry of Tourism, it is expected that in 2008 the number of tourists will continue to increase. Though the number of tourists increases, the government does not update the contract with the Sokimex company to increase the amount of money to be paid to the government. The amount continues to be maintained at $10 million per year.
“Mr. Son Chhay said that there is nothing to be seen which was developed and paid for by the Sokimex company; that means that the company just waits to get benefits easily. He said that even the toilets for tourists are not good, which is a shame for the nation. Nonetheless, the government seems not to think about what Mr. Son Chhay has raised. According to reports, the government still continues to grant the right to Sok Kong’s company to manage Angkor Wat and to collect money from all tourists.
“The Ministry of Tourism boasted about the increase in the number of tourists visiting Cambodia, especially coming to visit Angkor Wat, and that in 2007, the number of tourists was more than two million. However, the big amount of income from the tourists does not go into the national treasury. On the contrary, it remains in the hands of businesspeople of a private company. To give the right to Oknha Sok Kong’s company to manage Angkor Wat is like to allow this company to collect money from the tourists just on its own, while the state loses tens of millions of dollars each year. It is not known why such an easy arithmetic has been agreed upon; the government as well as the Prime Minister has many well-educated advisors - why do they not see an easy way of creating benefits from Angkor Wat; or is the money, which Sok Kong’s company earns, quietly shared with government officials and not put into the national treasury? If a simple farmer would manage Angkor Wat instead of Sok Kong’s company, and the government would each year just wait to get $50 million from the farmer, this would also be possible. But Sok Kong’s company probably provides $40 million of the $50 million earned to government leaders, keeps $10 million for itself, and hands on $10 million for the nation. Doing so can solve problems for this company so that the company maintains the right to continue to manage the temple area, and it can easily collect money from the tourists. It is believed that this is why the government does not stop Sok Kong’s company from managing Angkor Wat.
“Mr. Son Chhay thinks that it is a shame for the Khmer nation to have Angkor Wat, but the state does not have the ability to manage the temple area; instead, it gives the management to a private company to put toll gates on the ways into the Angkor Wat temple area in order to collect money from foreign tourists. Mr. Son Chhay demanded that Prime Minister Mr. Hun Sen reconsiders the contract between the government and the Sokimex company on the management of Angkor Wat soon, because while the number of tourists increases, the company does not spend anything on Angkor Wat, the company just sleeps and waits to easily collect money from the historical heritage of our Khmer ancestors.
“But will the government take Angkor Wat away from being managed by the businessman Sok Kong or not? By retaining Sok Kong’s company to manage Angkor Wat, officials get much money into their own pockets, but the government gets little. When the government has little money, it cannot spend much on various services. At the end, only high ranking officials and businesspeople live comfortably from the heritage of our Khmer ancestors who are the ancestors of all.”
Samleng Yuvachun Khmer, Vol.15, #3227, 12.1.2008
EVA airplane forced to land in Cambodia
Sunday, January 13, 2008
AFP
PHNOM PENH -- A plane carrying 146 passengers and crews was forced to make an emergency landing in Phnom Penh shortly after take off due to technical problems, an airport official said Saturday.
The EVA Airways flight, which was en route from the Cambodian capital to Taipei, returned to Phnom Penh International Airport on Friday about 15 minutes after it left, said Kim San, chief of Cambodia Air Traffic Services.
The plane, which had technical problems related to supplying air within the cabin, left for Taipei after being grounded for one hour, he said.
AFP
PHNOM PENH -- A plane carrying 146 passengers and crews was forced to make an emergency landing in Phnom Penh shortly after take off due to technical problems, an airport official said Saturday.
The EVA Airways flight, which was en route from the Cambodian capital to Taipei, returned to Phnom Penh International Airport on Friday about 15 minutes after it left, said Kim San, chief of Cambodia Air Traffic Services.
The plane, which had technical problems related to supplying air within the cabin, left for Taipei after being grounded for one hour, he said.
Sir Edmund Hillary, first man to the top of the world, dies at 88
Sir Edmund Hillary who had conquered Mount Everest for the first time along with Tenzing Norgay in 1953, has passed away at the age of 88.
According to reports by the Associated Press, Hillary died at Auckland Hospital at 9 am Friday, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark's office said. “Though ailing in his later years, he remained active, but no cause of death was immediately given,” the report adds.
“Hillary's life was marked by grand achievements, high adventure, discovery, excitement — yet he was humble to the point that he only admitted being the first man atop Everest long after the death of climbing companion Tenzing Norgay.”
“But he was more proud of his decades-long campaign to set up schools and health clinics in Nepal, the homeland of Norgay, the mountain guide with whom he stood arm in arm on the summit of Everest on May 29, 1953.”
Hillary's pace slowed in his final years. He made his last visit to the Himalayas in April 2007 when he and Elizabeth Hawley — unofficial chronicler of expeditions in the Himalayas for 40 years — met the 2007 SuperSherpas Expedition in Kathmandu.
"Sir Ed described himself as an average New Zealander with modest abilities. In reality, he was a colossus. He was an heroic figure who not only 'knocked off' Everest but lived a life of determination, humility, and generosity," Prime Minister Clark said in announcing his death.
"The legendary mountaineer, adventurer, and philanthropist is the best-known New Zealander ever to have lived," she said.
Sir Edmund Hillary, First on Everest, Dies at 88
Sir Edmund Hillary, 83, smiles in front of a giant picture of Mount Everest at the Birendra International Convention Centre in Katmandu May 29, 2003. State funeral for Sir Ed in 10 days
Jan 12, 2008
For the first time since her husband's death, Lady Hillary publicly emerged from the couple's home on Saturday afternoon to an emotional embrace with the prime minister.
Helen Clark, who had just arrived home from overseas, said that delivering what she called "big hugs" to Sir Edmond's widow had been a top priority. The two then slipped back inside, away from the large media contingent, to share their grief privately and talk about funeral arrangements.
Clark says the State funeral will likely be held Tuesday week.
"That gives time for family members to be here and it's likely that that will be preceded by a lying in state of Sir Edmund's casket so that members of the public can pay their respects," says Clark.
The funeral is expected to take place at St Mary's Anglican Church in Parnell, Auckland, and the public will be able to view the service on big screen in the neighbouring cathedral.
Clark says that despite Sir Ed's popularity, it is important to respect his family's wishes.
"It's a lot for the people and Lady Hillary is very conscious of people of the local communities of sherpa people and Indian people who also revered Sir Ed - so she is looking for a way where we can be inclusive but also respect the family's wishes."
While Sir Ed may have considered himself an ordinary Kiwi, State funerals are a rarity - the last was for the Unknown Warrior who was brought home from France in 2004.
"Sir Ed was an extraordinary New Zealander...he has had an extraordinary status here and extraordinary status internationally, and the State funeral is in keeping with that" says Clark.
Among the dignitaries, there has also been a steady flow of mourners to Hillary's home with members of the public dropping off flowers and saying their prayers for the man they admired.
Achievements Clark says Hillary was the country's best known New Zealander, and for good reason.
Not only did Sir Ed conquer the highest peak in the world, in 1958 he led a Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic team to another adventuring first.
On Ferguson tractors Sir Ed and his team drove overland to the South Pole.
He maintained his relationship with the icy continent and was largely responsible for the creation of Scott Base.
A memorial service will be held at Scott base on Sunday, where the New Zealand flag has been flying at half mast since news of his death reached the base.
Word of Sir Ed's death is also percolating across India and Nepal, where it is expected to cause great sadness.
Sir Ed was a great humanitarian who through his Himalayan Trust helped to improve the health and educational conditions of the Nepalese people. And he was New Zealand's High Commissioner to India from 1985 until 1989.
NZ High Commissioner to India and Nepal Rupert Holborow says flags are at half mast and books of condolence have been opened.
He says there will be a considerable response over the coming days and he is talking with both governments about how they will pay tribute to Sir Ed.
Share your thoughts and feelings about the passing of this great New Zealander on our message board. ONE News will compile your comments into a book of remembrance which will be presented to his family.
Saturday, 12 January 2008
Mr. Son Chhay: The Khmer Government’s Politics Preventing the Establishment of a Taiwanese Trade Office Are Stupid
12 January 2008.
The Mirror, Vol. 12, No. 542
“Mr. Son Chhay, a Sam Rainsy Party parliamentarian and the chairperson of the Fifth Commission of the National Assembly [in charge of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, Information and Media], reacted to the blocking attitude by Khmer government leaders, preventing the establishment of a Taiwanese trade office in Cambodia.
“Mr. Son Chhay said, ‘The Khmer government’s politics preventing the establishment of a Taiwanese trade office in Cambodia is stupid, and it is even more extremist than the People’s Republic of China, because they allow such a representative office in their country.’
“The parliamentarian, who is good in criticizing the government without fear of anybody, stated clearly, “Our Cambodia has also Taiwanese investors. And if we need investments in order to increase the number of jobs for Khmer citizens and to help the economy of the country, we should not be so tough toward Taiwan when it is only to set up such a trade office.’
“Mr. Son Chhay, the chairperson of the Fifth Commission of the National Assembly of Cambodia, continued, ‘Such an office does not cause any opposition by China. Therefore, to be afraid of China, and pleasing China too much, are political positions which bring a loss to our national interests.’
“It should be remembered that Cambodia adheres to the One-China Policy since previously. Even the leader of the biggest opposition party of Cambodia - Mr. Sam Rainsy - also used to speak about his supports for the One-China Policy.
“However, Mr. Sam Rainsy also used to provide good recommendations to the Hun Sen Government for the One-China Policy: that it must consider also the relations of Cambodian international trade with other countries worldwide, so that our national economy survives and our citizens have a good livelihood.
“Nonetheless, Hun Sen Government officials stated on 9 January that three has not been any official request for opening a Taiwanese trade representative office in Cambodia.
“In the meantime, Mr. Khieu Kanharith, Minister of Information and spokesperson of the Hun Sen Government, said, ‘In general, Taiwanese trade representative offices always play a role as unofficial embassies of Taiwan. But so far, we have not received any request and we have also not made any comment. Nevertheless, we think that, because trade offices play a role as unofficial Taiwanese offices, it would be difficult to consider such a request. To work well, Taiwanese businesspeople who come to invest in Cambodia should create associations or anything which can also facilitate the work of those who want to do business in Cambodia.
“Mr. Khieu Kanharith said so after national and international newspapers had published an announcement by an official of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council, stating their plan to reopen a trade office in Cambodia.
“Different newspapers quoted the speech of the official of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council, which plans to open its branch offices in Cambodia and in some other countries in Asia, such as Burma and Pakistan etc.
“But a speech of Mr. Om Yentieng, a senior advisor to Prime Minister Hun Sen, was quoted by a local newspaper saying that the plan of Taiwan [in the original Khmer: ‘of the Island of Taiwan’] may not work.
“It should be stated that a Taiwanese trade representative office had once been created in Cambodia after 1993, but it was closed after the events of fighting between the forces loyal to the Cambodian People’s Party and the forces loyal to Prince Ranariddh, the former president of Funcinpec, in July 1997 in Phnom Penh .
“Later on, the Cambodian government had continued to prohibit very firmly and definitely to open a Taiwanese trade representative office in Cambodia, by just stating that Cambodia has to maintain a One-China policy.
“Even so, Mr. Son Chhay, the Sam Rainsy Party parliamentarian and chairperson of the Fifth Commission of the National Assembly, reminded Hun Sen Government officials, ‘The attitude of being afraid of China, and of pleasing China too much, is a political position contributing to the loss of our national interests.’
“Furthermore, Mr. Son Chhay stressed, ‘The Khmer government’s politics preventing the establishment of a Taiwanese trade office in Cambodia is stupid, and it is even more extremist than the People’s Republic of China, because they allow such a representative office in their country.’”
Khmer Machas Srok, Vol.2, #90, 11-12.1.2008
The Mirror, Vol. 12, No. 542
“Mr. Son Chhay, a Sam Rainsy Party parliamentarian and the chairperson of the Fifth Commission of the National Assembly [in charge of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, Information and Media], reacted to the blocking attitude by Khmer government leaders, preventing the establishment of a Taiwanese trade office in Cambodia.
“Mr. Son Chhay said, ‘The Khmer government’s politics preventing the establishment of a Taiwanese trade office in Cambodia is stupid, and it is even more extremist than the People’s Republic of China, because they allow such a representative office in their country.’
“The parliamentarian, who is good in criticizing the government without fear of anybody, stated clearly, “Our Cambodia has also Taiwanese investors. And if we need investments in order to increase the number of jobs for Khmer citizens and to help the economy of the country, we should not be so tough toward Taiwan when it is only to set up such a trade office.’
“Mr. Son Chhay, the chairperson of the Fifth Commission of the National Assembly of Cambodia, continued, ‘Such an office does not cause any opposition by China. Therefore, to be afraid of China, and pleasing China too much, are political positions which bring a loss to our national interests.’
“It should be remembered that Cambodia adheres to the One-China Policy since previously. Even the leader of the biggest opposition party of Cambodia - Mr. Sam Rainsy - also used to speak about his supports for the One-China Policy.
“However, Mr. Sam Rainsy also used to provide good recommendations to the Hun Sen Government for the One-China Policy: that it must consider also the relations of Cambodian international trade with other countries worldwide, so that our national economy survives and our citizens have a good livelihood.
“Nonetheless, Hun Sen Government officials stated on 9 January that three has not been any official request for opening a Taiwanese trade representative office in Cambodia.
“In the meantime, Mr. Khieu Kanharith, Minister of Information and spokesperson of the Hun Sen Government, said, ‘In general, Taiwanese trade representative offices always play a role as unofficial embassies of Taiwan. But so far, we have not received any request and we have also not made any comment. Nevertheless, we think that, because trade offices play a role as unofficial Taiwanese offices, it would be difficult to consider such a request. To work well, Taiwanese businesspeople who come to invest in Cambodia should create associations or anything which can also facilitate the work of those who want to do business in Cambodia.
“Mr. Khieu Kanharith said so after national and international newspapers had published an announcement by an official of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council, stating their plan to reopen a trade office in Cambodia.
“Different newspapers quoted the speech of the official of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council, which plans to open its branch offices in Cambodia and in some other countries in Asia, such as Burma and Pakistan etc.
“But a speech of Mr. Om Yentieng, a senior advisor to Prime Minister Hun Sen, was quoted by a local newspaper saying that the plan of Taiwan [in the original Khmer: ‘of the Island of Taiwan’] may not work.
“It should be stated that a Taiwanese trade representative office had once been created in Cambodia after 1993, but it was closed after the events of fighting between the forces loyal to the Cambodian People’s Party and the forces loyal to Prince Ranariddh, the former president of Funcinpec, in July 1997 in Phnom Penh .
“Later on, the Cambodian government had continued to prohibit very firmly and definitely to open a Taiwanese trade representative office in Cambodia, by just stating that Cambodia has to maintain a One-China policy.
“Even so, Mr. Son Chhay, the Sam Rainsy Party parliamentarian and chairperson of the Fifth Commission of the National Assembly, reminded Hun Sen Government officials, ‘The attitude of being afraid of China, and of pleasing China too much, is a political position contributing to the loss of our national interests.’
“Furthermore, Mr. Son Chhay stressed, ‘The Khmer government’s politics preventing the establishment of a Taiwanese trade office in Cambodia is stupid, and it is even more extremist than the People’s Republic of China, because they allow such a representative office in their country.’”
Khmer Machas Srok, Vol.2, #90, 11-12.1.2008
CPP holds meeting for Cambodian election in July
PHNOM PENH, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The major ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) here on Saturday convened an extraordinary general assembly to review its achievements and prepare itself for the general election on July 27.
"We will monitor a number of matters in preparation for the July general election and the general assembly also has to approve the party's policies for the 2008-2013 period in the development and protection of the country," said CPP President Chea Sim in his speech.
If we compare the voters in the 2003 general election with those of the 2002 communal councils election, we could find that the number of supporters for our party decreased, while that of the total voters of the country increased," said Chea Sim, who is also the Senate President.
"We have learned something from these experiences and debated it a lot in order to set up policies to fill the gap. I hope that we will achieve good results as we plan and approve for the upcoming general election," he said.
Our party members have joined together to solve problems in the country, including the political deadlock in 2003, the border demarcation, the strengthening of peace, political stability and social security, the economic growth, as well as successes of communal councils and general elections, he added.
Deputy party president and Prime Minister Hun Sen and honorary party president and National Assembly President Heng Samrin also attended the general assembly.
CPP has over five million members across the country, or almost one third of the country's total population. It won landslide victory in the last commune councils election in April 2007 and has chosen Hun Sen as premier candidate for the July general election.
CPP has been governing the kingdom in conjunction with the royalist Funcinpec Party for over a decade.
Editor: An Lu
"We will monitor a number of matters in preparation for the July general election and the general assembly also has to approve the party's policies for the 2008-2013 period in the development and protection of the country," said CPP President Chea Sim in his speech.
If we compare the voters in the 2003 general election with those of the 2002 communal councils election, we could find that the number of supporters for our party decreased, while that of the total voters of the country increased," said Chea Sim, who is also the Senate President.
"We have learned something from these experiences and debated it a lot in order to set up policies to fill the gap. I hope that we will achieve good results as we plan and approve for the upcoming general election," he said.
Our party members have joined together to solve problems in the country, including the political deadlock in 2003, the border demarcation, the strengthening of peace, political stability and social security, the economic growth, as well as successes of communal councils and general elections, he added.
Deputy party president and Prime Minister Hun Sen and honorary party president and National Assembly President Heng Samrin also attended the general assembly.
CPP has over five million members across the country, or almost one third of the country's total population. It won landslide victory in the last commune councils election in April 2007 and has chosen Hun Sen as premier candidate for the July general election.
CPP has been governing the kingdom in conjunction with the royalist Funcinpec Party for over a decade.
Editor: An Lu
Groups: Sentence Too Light in Drug Conviction
By Chun Sakada,
VOA Khmer Original report from Phnom Penh
11 January 2008
Listen Chun Sakada reports in Khmer
A Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentence for a man accused of running an extensive drug ring was too light, groups said. Chea Chong was sentenced to 25 years and was fined $25,000.
“I would request that the sentence be at the maximum level because the crime of circulating and producing illegal drugs is an international crime,” said Keo Remy, vice president of the Human Rights Party. “This kind of crime deserves the death penalty in some neighboring countries. So, the court should thus sentence the criminals to at least life imprisonment as our constitution does not have capital punishment.”
Chea Chong was the suspected leader of a drug production ring busted in Kampong Speu in April, when police found nearly 5 tons of drug-making materials.
“If we compare [the sentence] to neighboring countries, our court did not do the right job,” said Thun Saray, director of the human rights group Adhoc, “because in those countries for even 20 grams of drugs the criminal receives capital punishment.”
Rights groups do not want capital punishment, he said, but punishment to fit the crime.
Three accomplices were given similar prison sentences, and a fourth, who was to have received life in prison, escaped, officials said.
A prime suspect in the case reportedly jumped out a window to his death in August 2007.
“The court’s sentencing of the largest ring of drug-producing and circulating criminals in Kompong Speu seems unclear and suspicious, because the case is so big, yet the criminals are not high-ranking officials, but ordinary people, and received light punishment,” said Eng Chhay Eang, secretary-general of the Sam Rainsy Party. “The case must be investigated further, and the criminals must be punished more heavily.”
VOA Khmer Original report from Phnom Penh
11 January 2008
Listen Chun Sakada reports in Khmer
A Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentence for a man accused of running an extensive drug ring was too light, groups said. Chea Chong was sentenced to 25 years and was fined $25,000.
“I would request that the sentence be at the maximum level because the crime of circulating and producing illegal drugs is an international crime,” said Keo Remy, vice president of the Human Rights Party. “This kind of crime deserves the death penalty in some neighboring countries. So, the court should thus sentence the criminals to at least life imprisonment as our constitution does not have capital punishment.”
Chea Chong was the suspected leader of a drug production ring busted in Kampong Speu in April, when police found nearly 5 tons of drug-making materials.
“If we compare [the sentence] to neighboring countries, our court did not do the right job,” said Thun Saray, director of the human rights group Adhoc, “because in those countries for even 20 grams of drugs the criminal receives capital punishment.”
Rights groups do not want capital punishment, he said, but punishment to fit the crime.
Three accomplices were given similar prison sentences, and a fourth, who was to have received life in prison, escaped, officials said.
A prime suspect in the case reportedly jumped out a window to his death in August 2007.
“The court’s sentencing of the largest ring of drug-producing and circulating criminals in Kompong Speu seems unclear and suspicious, because the case is so big, yet the criminals are not high-ranking officials, but ordinary people, and received light punishment,” said Eng Chhay Eang, secretary-general of the Sam Rainsy Party. “The case must be investigated further, and the criminals must be punished more heavily.”
Taiwan Flight Makes Emergency Landing
By Mean Veasna,
VOA Khmer Original report from Phnom Penh
11 January 2008
Listen Mean Veasna reports in Khmer
A Taiwanese flight returned to Phnom Penh International Airport shortly after takeoff Friday, following pressurization problems and a shortage of oxygen, officials said.
Eva Air Flight BR266, bound for Taipei with 136 passengers on board, circled the airport for nearly two hours to reduce the fuel in its tanks before gaining clearance for an emergency landing.
“The pressurization system stopped working, so the plane did not have enough oxygen,” said Kim San, flight chief for Cambodia Air Traffic Services.
“The cargo door was not closed tightly, and then the pressure was not maintained,” said Say Chhunpenhsakun, director of planning and training for Cambodia Air Traffic Services.
After a quick adjustment, the plane took off again.
VOA Khmer Original report from Phnom Penh
11 January 2008
Listen Mean Veasna reports in Khmer
A Taiwanese flight returned to Phnom Penh International Airport shortly after takeoff Friday, following pressurization problems and a shortage of oxygen, officials said.
Eva Air Flight BR266, bound for Taipei with 136 passengers on board, circled the airport for nearly two hours to reduce the fuel in its tanks before gaining clearance for an emergency landing.
“The pressurization system stopped working, so the plane did not have enough oxygen,” said Kim San, flight chief for Cambodia Air Traffic Services.
“The cargo door was not closed tightly, and then the pressure was not maintained,” said Say Chhunpenhsakun, director of planning and training for Cambodia Air Traffic Services.
After a quick adjustment, the plane took off again.
City Stalling on Forum Request, Party Claims
By Heng Reaksmey,
VOA Khmer Original report from Phnom Penh
11 January 2008
Listen Heng Reaksmey reports in Khmer
Phnom Penh authorities have been indecisive on a request by the Human Rights Party to hold a large public gathering next month over the rising cost of fuel, party officials said.
City officials said the request for a forum of 5,000 people was not detailed enough.
“We just want to help the government with some recommendations on how to stop the gas price from rising,” said Chan Ven, deputy secretary-general of the Human Rights Party. “So it is a sensitive point for the government. Then it’s a bit difficult to allow.”
Party officials said city government, which is largely dominated by the Cambodian People’s Party, is stalling, as the rising cost of fuel and goods have begun to stir discontent in the capital and countryside.
“I requested the party to prepare a clear list of the participants to submit to City Hall, so that we can check whether the [forum] will be dealt with by the city or the Ministry of Interior,” said Om Sam El, director of Phnom Penh’s office for decision-making.
VOA Khmer Original report from Phnom Penh
11 January 2008
Listen Heng Reaksmey reports in Khmer
Phnom Penh authorities have been indecisive on a request by the Human Rights Party to hold a large public gathering next month over the rising cost of fuel, party officials said.
City officials said the request for a forum of 5,000 people was not detailed enough.
“We just want to help the government with some recommendations on how to stop the gas price from rising,” said Chan Ven, deputy secretary-general of the Human Rights Party. “So it is a sensitive point for the government. Then it’s a bit difficult to allow.”
Party officials said city government, which is largely dominated by the Cambodian People’s Party, is stalling, as the rising cost of fuel and goods have begun to stir discontent in the capital and countryside.
“I requested the party to prepare a clear list of the participants to submit to City Hall, so that we can check whether the [forum] will be dealt with by the city or the Ministry of Interior,” said Om Sam El, director of Phnom Penh’s office for decision-making.
Cambodia's Largest Airport Planned For Seaside Resort
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AFP)--Cambodia's seaside airport near Sihanoukville is slated to become the country's largest as a new focus is placed on bringing tourists into the area, Tourism Minister Thong Khon said Friday.
"We project that Sihanoukville will be a well-developed city with potential in three areas: trade, industrial and tourism," Thong Khon told AFP in an interview.
"The plan of the government is for this airport to be bigger" than Phnom Penh International Airport.
A year after its reopening, service at the Sihanoukville airport remains limited to chartered domestic flights.
But plans are underway to make it a regional travel hub, with the first phase of a $200 million expansion expected to be completed by March.
The airport, some 230 kilometers southwest of Phnom Penh, had been closed since the early 1980s due to financial difficulties.
Direct flights between Siem Reap, the gateway to Cambodia's famed Angkor temples, and foreign cities have prompted a rise in tourist arrivals.
Officials hope Cambodia's south - which boasts long stretches of undisturbed coast and several islands currently under development - can also benefit from this boom by providing air links either to Siem Reap or directly to other countries.
Some 100,000 people visited Sihanoukville last year, Thong Khon said, adding that the government aimed to attract one million people by 2015.
Cambodia is one of the world's poorest countries, with tourism being one of the few rapidly growing industries bringing in much-needed revenue.
Tourist arrivals to Cambodia topped two million in 2007, marking a 20% increase over the previous year, Thong Khon said.
Officials hope to attract 2.4 million people to the country this year.
"We project that Sihanoukville will be a well-developed city with potential in three areas: trade, industrial and tourism," Thong Khon told AFP in an interview.
"The plan of the government is for this airport to be bigger" than Phnom Penh International Airport.
A year after its reopening, service at the Sihanoukville airport remains limited to chartered domestic flights.
But plans are underway to make it a regional travel hub, with the first phase of a $200 million expansion expected to be completed by March.
The airport, some 230 kilometers southwest of Phnom Penh, had been closed since the early 1980s due to financial difficulties.
Direct flights between Siem Reap, the gateway to Cambodia's famed Angkor temples, and foreign cities have prompted a rise in tourist arrivals.
Officials hope Cambodia's south - which boasts long stretches of undisturbed coast and several islands currently under development - can also benefit from this boom by providing air links either to Siem Reap or directly to other countries.
Some 100,000 people visited Sihanoukville last year, Thong Khon said, adding that the government aimed to attract one million people by 2015.
Cambodia is one of the world's poorest countries, with tourism being one of the few rapidly growing industries bringing in much-needed revenue.
Tourist arrivals to Cambodia topped two million in 2007, marking a 20% increase over the previous year, Thong Khon said.
Officials hope to attract 2.4 million people to the country this year.
Cambodia revisited
Cambodian dancer Thavro Phim performs a classical monkey dance.
By Mike GordonAdvertiser Staff Writer
he temples of Angkor rise defiantly from Cambodia's dense forests, which have tried for centuries to cloak the sandstone structures in their lush, green folds.
With towers shaped like giant lotus buds and rooms covered with intricate stone reliefs, they have become monuments to an ancient culture.
For Michael Schuster, East-West Center Gallery curator, these monuments are a living symbol of resiliency, a tactile expression of an undaunted spirit thriving in a nation that survived genocide.
Cambodia is widely reported to be on an economic rebound, but Schuster — whose exhibit "Living Angkor" continues through Jan. 24 at the center — makes an impassioned case for the country's cultural revival. Schuster used extraordinary images from National Geographic photographer Paul Chesley as well as 13th- and 14th- century sculptures to share his vision of the temples in Angkor.
"We didn't want to do just an exhibit about the monuments," Schuster said. "We wanted to talk about them reconstituting an identity in Cambodia. I really wanted to give this idea of what's going on there — good things, bad things, difficult things, wonderful things — given the profound history of Cambodia."
This is a nation known for the late-1970s genocide of 2 million of its people — the aptly named era of the Killing Fields. It was equally infamous for a sea of land mines that maimed many others. Under brutal ruler Pol Pot, artists and intellectuals were either murdered or forced to work in agriculture.
And even though the regime fell in 1979, it was not until the past decade that Cambodia opened up to visitors, Schuster said. The Angkor region, with more than 1,000 temples or monuments, went from 100,000 visitors a year to 2 million, he said. Their desire to see the real Cambodia, and especially the Buddhist and Hindu temples built from the ninth to 15th centuries, inspired the Cambodian people.
"Now there is this great influx of interest, dynamism and growth," Schuster said. "There has been a great revival of the performing arts. There has been a great revival of the visual arts.
Sculpture traditions are being revived. We see all kinds of care from the international
community putting in funds for revitalization and care of the monuments."
The exhibit photographs were drawn from thousands of images that Chesley took in 1998 and 2007. The goal was to showcase the vitality of the region. There was a wealth of images, but Schuster said he reviewed so many, his eyes burned.
A child worshiping a towering statue of Shiva. A gardener on a smoke break. Three mine victims, all musicians, performing beside an artificial limb.
"They really do capture the living aspects," Schuster said. "It's not per se about the monuments, it's about the people in the monuments. The many people using the monuments, living there and coming there, and what that all means."
Chesley, who has shot for National Geographic for 25 years, had not been to the temples between his visits and said his 10 days there last July were a crowded, startling contrast to the serenity he found in 1998.
"In certain areas of the ruins, it is definitely shoulder-to-shoulder," he said.
Chesley noticed the change most at a temple called Ta Prohm. In 1998, Chesley photographed two monks amid the monstrous roots of a banyan tree growing out of the temple. They were the only people he encountered that morning.
"When I went this time, that particular area where the roots are was crowded," he said. "There were 25 people at 6 in the morning in that room where the roots are, and they were all taking pictures."
Quite poor, Cambodians have taken to tourism with a fever: Major markets between the temples sell souvenir T-shirts and paintings, children around their periphery hawk sodas, and cafes dot the landscape.
But Chesley said the people have not changed. "The people are the same — gentle," he said. "Cambodians are wonderful."
Because dance is sacred in Cambodia, and because many of the images on the temples are of dancers, "Living Angkor" will celebrate that reverence with a demonstration on Sunday by center alumnus and dancer Thavro Phim.
Phim, who now works with Southeast Asian immigrants in Philadelphia, was part of a 1996 workshop that helped revive the art, said William Feltz, the center's arts program coordinator.
Nine performers from the U.S. and Cambodia gathered at the center to share their knowledge, videotape dances and breathe life into an art left dying on the Killing Fields, he said.
"That East-West Center gathering helped serve as a catalyst for subsequent connections between the Cambodian-Americans and the Cambodian dancers, and now the tradition is flourishing and there are many tourist shows," Feltz said.
It is culture refusing to die, the present holding on to the past against tremendous odds.
"Tourism is clearly going to continue to be an important aspect of the Cambodian economy," said Feltz. "In the case of Cambodia, these great works of beauty represent the future."
Cambodian banking sector improving but not there yet: S&P
Fri, 11 Jan 2008
Author : DPA
Phnom Penh - Standard & Poor's has awarded its first credit rating to a Cambodian bank but says despite strong growth and a complete overhaul of the banking sector the country remains a risk. The rating agency praised the country's central bank, saying it had "taken steps to restore confidence and implement improvements," but still awarded Cambodia a group 10 Banking Industry Country Risk Assessment in its report, received Friday.
Lack of a track record on the effectiveness of the new legal frameworks, a lack of transparency and a relatively small banking sector at a nascent stage of development all offset the country's rapid economic growths as weaknesses, the report said.
It assigned Acleda Bank Plc, Cambodia's third-largest bank, a B+/B credit rating, making it the first Cambodian bank to achieve a rating. However B+ is still four levels below investment grade.
Cambodia's group 10 rating overall puts it on a par with countries such as Bolivia.
Author : DPA
Phnom Penh - Standard & Poor's has awarded its first credit rating to a Cambodian bank but says despite strong growth and a complete overhaul of the banking sector the country remains a risk. The rating agency praised the country's central bank, saying it had "taken steps to restore confidence and implement improvements," but still awarded Cambodia a group 10 Banking Industry Country Risk Assessment in its report, received Friday.
Lack of a track record on the effectiveness of the new legal frameworks, a lack of transparency and a relatively small banking sector at a nascent stage of development all offset the country's rapid economic growths as weaknesses, the report said.
It assigned Acleda Bank Plc, Cambodia's third-largest bank, a B+/B credit rating, making it the first Cambodian bank to achieve a rating. However B+ is still four levels below investment grade.
Cambodia's group 10 rating overall puts it on a par with countries such as Bolivia.
Celebration dance
COURTESY THAVRO PHIMThavro Phim will perform Cambodian dances at the East-West Center Gallery on Jan. 13, as part of the "Living Angkor" display at the gallery.
COURTESY THAVRO PHIMA toy bird, on loan from the Institute of Khmer Traditional Textiles, is part of the ongoing exhibit.An artistic demonstration symbolizes cultural pride
By Nancy Arcayna
During the period known as the "Killing Fields" in Cambodia (1975-1979), Thavro Phim lost his father, brother and grandfather. The communist revolution took the lives of more than a quarter of the country's population, including many cultural leaders.
Part of the recovery has been to restore the nation's cultural heritage. Phim is part of the first post-Khmer Rouge generation to study traditional dance, participating in programs to maintain a sense of continuity and history through folk dances and classical drama.
"Cambodian dance served as an aspect of cultural pride, as they recovered," said William Feltz, coordinator of the East-West Center Arts Program.
In free Cambodian dance demonstrations this weekend at the East-West Center, Phim will present his humorous classical monkey dance, which originates from the Hindu epic Ramayana.
"His specialty is the monkey dance," Feltz said. "He has mastered the traditional Cambodian dance styles."
Phim last performed in the islands about 11 years ago when he was a research intern at the East-West Center. During his stay, he also performed with the Tau Dance Theatre and Dances We Dance Company.
By Nancy Arcayna
During the period known as the "Killing Fields" in Cambodia (1975-1979), Thavro Phim lost his father, brother and grandfather. The communist revolution took the lives of more than a quarter of the country's population, including many cultural leaders.
Part of the recovery has been to restore the nation's cultural heritage. Phim is part of the first post-Khmer Rouge generation to study traditional dance, participating in programs to maintain a sense of continuity and history through folk dances and classical drama.
"Cambodian dance served as an aspect of cultural pride, as they recovered," said William Feltz, coordinator of the East-West Center Arts Program.
In free Cambodian dance demonstrations this weekend at the East-West Center, Phim will present his humorous classical monkey dance, which originates from the Hindu epic Ramayana.
"His specialty is the monkey dance," Feltz said. "He has mastered the traditional Cambodian dance styles."
Phim last performed in the islands about 11 years ago when he was a research intern at the East-West Center. During his stay, he also performed with the Tau Dance Theatre and Dances We Dance Company.
He now works with Southeast Asian immigrants in Philadelphia.
The dance demonstrations are among events connected to the "Living Angkor" cultural display on view through Jan. 17 at the East-West Center Gallery. The exhibit includes artifacts, photographs from National Geographic photographer Paul Chelsey, costumes, masks, sculpture, stone carvings, traditional textiles and musical instruments.
Lawmakers consider letting foreigners buy real estate
Phnom Penh Post, Issue 17 / 01, January 11 - 23, 2008
By Cat Barton
Foreign investors may not need to wait for the stock market in 2009 if they want a piece of Cambodia's economy.
The government is on the verge of changing the property ownership laws so that foreigners will be able to buy real estate in the country and own it outright.
Although current law prohibits foreigners from actually holding title to land in Cambodia, the National Assembly is considering an amendment to the law that could be approved soon, said Nuth Narang, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction.
"Local developers have a massive interest in seeing the law change. Cambodia is open for business now. There is huge demand, foreigners would buy property," said Matthew Rendall, a lawyer with the investment advisors Sciaroni and Associates.
Although it was not clear what restrictions Cambodia might put on foreign property investment, Rendall said there is no downside to changing the law. Cambodia has "nothing to lose," he said.
Developers contacted by the Post said a change in the law would change the marketing environment for developers in Cambodia.
Marketing director Nhem Sothea at Grand Phnom Penh International City said changing the law would make it "much easier to sell property here."
"There is a large Korean market -they want to come here and retire and we could access that market better with a change to the law."
Backed by Indonesia's Cinputra, through a local partner RCAF Gen. Ke Kim Yan, the International City is developing 260 hectares 20 minutes northwest of the city center into a gated community.
Nick Chandler, sales and marketing director for Brocon, which buys colonial buildings in Cambodia and rehabilitates the apartments for sale to foreign investors, said a change in the law would create huge demand.
"There is a real buzz regarding Cambodia," he said. "They have had three years of double digit growth-9 percent this year. A lot of people see that and those people see property as the best and most stable way to get into this market."
Narang said the ministry is discussing whether changing the law "will be beneficial to the economy." "We need to assess how best to go about this," said Narang.
He added that the ministry is seen as favoring the amendment because in August it passed a sub decree allowing foreigners to use property they own via a leasehold as collateral with the banks.
Some of Cambodia's neighbors already permit some type of foreign property ownership. Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia all allow foreign investment in "immovable property" with various restrictions.
Immovable property includes not only land but buildings and leases.In Thailand, the rules are that at least 51 percent of high end apartment block developments must be Thai-owned. In Singapore, foreign nationals can own property above the seventh floor.
"It would be a natural progression for Cambodia to introduce something similar," said Rendall.
"It will bring a massive injection of investment into the economy. There will be a huge reaction."
Other options could be prohibiting foreign ownership of ground floor units, but allowing sale of above ground apartments. Or the government might change the title deeds so that anything defined as a "building" but not as "land" could be bought.
A change in the law would clearly benefit developers such as the South Korean developers of the Camko City project, which includes many high end apartments.
Camko City officials could not be reached for comment. According to the company's marketing information, the first planned development includes 18 houses and 100 townhouses, but many more large blocks of apartments.
At the moment, property developers get around the land buying restriction by selling leaseholds to foreign investors, said Chandler at Brocon,He said foreign buyers obtain a 99-year lease with an option to renew.
The leases all include a clause saying if the land law changes, the leaseholds will be converted to "free hold." Owners would have to pay certain taxes and transfer fees to convert.
He said Brocon has sold more than 20 properties under the lease agreement. "A change of law allowing foreigners to buy would mean all leases revert to freehold and that would give us an even easier product to sell," said Chandler.
Brocon's target market is sophisticated foreign investors who already have property portfolios in the region.
"The current legal framework is not an impediment to us. We are not selling to mum and dad investors."
"Capital growth on land over the last two years has been ridiculous-something that sold for $500 two years ago is now $2,000 plus," said Chandler.
By Cat Barton
Foreign investors may not need to wait for the stock market in 2009 if they want a piece of Cambodia's economy.
The government is on the verge of changing the property ownership laws so that foreigners will be able to buy real estate in the country and own it outright.
Although current law prohibits foreigners from actually holding title to land in Cambodia, the National Assembly is considering an amendment to the law that could be approved soon, said Nuth Narang, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction.
"Local developers have a massive interest in seeing the law change. Cambodia is open for business now. There is huge demand, foreigners would buy property," said Matthew Rendall, a lawyer with the investment advisors Sciaroni and Associates.
Although it was not clear what restrictions Cambodia might put on foreign property investment, Rendall said there is no downside to changing the law. Cambodia has "nothing to lose," he said.
Developers contacted by the Post said a change in the law would change the marketing environment for developers in Cambodia.
Marketing director Nhem Sothea at Grand Phnom Penh International City said changing the law would make it "much easier to sell property here."
"There is a large Korean market -they want to come here and retire and we could access that market better with a change to the law."
Backed by Indonesia's Cinputra, through a local partner RCAF Gen. Ke Kim Yan, the International City is developing 260 hectares 20 minutes northwest of the city center into a gated community.
Nick Chandler, sales and marketing director for Brocon, which buys colonial buildings in Cambodia and rehabilitates the apartments for sale to foreign investors, said a change in the law would create huge demand.
"There is a real buzz regarding Cambodia," he said. "They have had three years of double digit growth-9 percent this year. A lot of people see that and those people see property as the best and most stable way to get into this market."
Narang said the ministry is discussing whether changing the law "will be beneficial to the economy." "We need to assess how best to go about this," said Narang.
He added that the ministry is seen as favoring the amendment because in August it passed a sub decree allowing foreigners to use property they own via a leasehold as collateral with the banks.
Some of Cambodia's neighbors already permit some type of foreign property ownership. Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia all allow foreign investment in "immovable property" with various restrictions.
Immovable property includes not only land but buildings and leases.In Thailand, the rules are that at least 51 percent of high end apartment block developments must be Thai-owned. In Singapore, foreign nationals can own property above the seventh floor.
"It would be a natural progression for Cambodia to introduce something similar," said Rendall.
"It will bring a massive injection of investment into the economy. There will be a huge reaction."
Other options could be prohibiting foreign ownership of ground floor units, but allowing sale of above ground apartments. Or the government might change the title deeds so that anything defined as a "building" but not as "land" could be bought.
A change in the law would clearly benefit developers such as the South Korean developers of the Camko City project, which includes many high end apartments.
Camko City officials could not be reached for comment. According to the company's marketing information, the first planned development includes 18 houses and 100 townhouses, but many more large blocks of apartments.
At the moment, property developers get around the land buying restriction by selling leaseholds to foreign investors, said Chandler at Brocon,He said foreign buyers obtain a 99-year lease with an option to renew.
The leases all include a clause saying if the land law changes, the leaseholds will be converted to "free hold." Owners would have to pay certain taxes and transfer fees to convert.
He said Brocon has sold more than 20 properties under the lease agreement. "A change of law allowing foreigners to buy would mean all leases revert to freehold and that would give us an even easier product to sell," said Chandler.
Brocon's target market is sophisticated foreign investors who already have property portfolios in the region.
"The current legal framework is not an impediment to us. We are not selling to mum and dad investors."
"Capital growth on land over the last two years has been ridiculous-something that sold for $500 two years ago is now $2,000 plus," said Chandler.
Poipet street kids: far worse off than expected
Phnom Penh Post, Issue 17 / 01, January 11 - 23, 2008
By Tracey Shelton
Poipet-A new survey on street kids living in this bustling, border town shocked social workers who say they didn't expect to see so many children living in deplorable conditions and so few attending school.
Yann Grandin, an advisor with the NGO Goutte d'Eau (GE) which conducted the survey of 210 children living on both the Thai and Cambodian side of the border, said the information gathered was in line with information they had about children he had worked with, but previously the results were considered to be the worst case scenario. It was the high percentages of child victims that came as a surprise, said Grandin, who has worked in Poipet for three years.
"I had not expected that almost the entire target group would have to face such hazardous living conditions," he said.
Thirty percent of the children interviewed said they regularly slept on the streets. The most common reasons they gave were fear of returning home, lack of earnings to turn over to their parents, domestic violence or simply that they preferred to stay on the street with siblings or friends.
The dusty town of Poipet, home to an estimated 70,000 people, has seen incredible growth since the opening of its first casino in 1999. Back then the population was just 5,000.
Thousands of Thais cross the border daily to gamble and the industry is thriving with nine casinos. Imports, both legal and illegal, are carted across the border by hundreds of cart pullers in an unending stream. Popular markets on both sides of the border attract shoppers from around the region.
The border crossing is also becoming more popular for tourists as roads to Siem Reap slowly improve. All this activity gives poor provincial families the impression that Poipet's bustling streets may offer them jobs.
But most of the population lives in poverty, and people often are caught up in the cycle of illegal immigration and deportation as they try for work in Thailand.
"This extremely unstable scenario makes the families concentrate all their efforts on daily survival, with no expectations or plans for the future," Grandin said. "Therefore, the children are part of the daily survival plan, having to work or beg to support the family and making it impossible to go to school."
Of those street kids who had homes, 89 percent lived in one-room plastic shacks. The sanitary conditions in the homes were inadequate, particularly in the rainy season.
The survey revealed that 75 percent of those interviewed had either dropped out or never attended school. Of those who had attended, fewer than 20 percent had progressed beyond grade 3.
Most of the children were under age 15. Half reported they worked all day everyday, most commonly scavenging and begging. Many worked as street sellers or cart pullers, transporting the flow of Thai imports across the border. Only a few children described theft or smuggling as their main form of income.
Daily wages ranged from 20 to 200 baht, or about 50 cents to $6.
Most of the girls earned a living by carrying umbrellas to shelter tourists from sun or rain while waiting at immigration. That job was of particular concern to social workers who say that kind of close contact with wealthy adults can lead to prostitution.
"Umbrella girls have admitted to our social workers that they sometimes have sexual relations for money," Grandin said.
"Two months ago we had two girls who disappeared for a few days from one of our two daycare centers. Parents believed that they were staying on the Thai side."
"Both of them came back after a few days, saying that they managed to escape from a brothel where they were forced to work as waitresses."
Grandin said he also received information that some umbrella girls were forced to work as prostitutes in the Thai market.
Only 20 percent of those interviewed were natives of Poipet. The rest were from a variety of poverty stricken families who moved there to find work. Bangkok survey
Well beyond the border the story is similar for the estimated 1,000 Khmer children begging and selling in the streets of Bangkok.
A survey of these street workers conducted in Bangkok last year by Friends International challenged previous assumptions of child trafficking rings when 80 percent of those interviewed said they were bought to Thailand by a parent or relative.In an interview at the GE center in Phnom Penh, 15- year- old Panha (not his real name) described his life as a beggar in Poipet before he was scooped up by GE, and brought to Phnom Penh to attend a special school for the handicapped.
He said he was very young when his parents took him to Thailand. Crippled by polio, he worked everyday begging and selling flowers in Bangkok until he was arrested by police and deported alone to Poipet about a year ago.
Social workers believe his mother was a child trafficker.
He described many other Khmer children being brought to Thailand by his mother to sell and beg along with him. Each night they would turn over all their earnings to his mother.
Workers from the Poipet Transit Center, a government run assistance center for women and children deported across the Thai border, said that five to ten trucks arrive at Poipet border crossing every day carrying Khmer deportees, many of them children arrested for begging alone on the street.
Glue sniffingThe Poipet survey completed last month found 26 of the 210 children interviewed admitted to taking drugs. But those who conducted the survey said that may not be an accurate portrayal of the drug use problem.
Panha said he picked up glue sniffing while he existed on money from begging around the border casinos. He joined a drug rehabilitation program at GE which later brought him to Phnom Penh.
"Many children denied consuming drugs although they have been seen by GE social workers taking drugs many times before," said Beatrice Muller, a Swiss volunteer who coordinated the survey.
However when asked if they knew of any drugs used on the streets of Poipet, most of the children admitted they were familiar particularly with glue sniffing and the meth- amphetamine known locally as yama.
More than half admitted their friends or relatives use drugs regularly.
Grandin said as a result of the survey GE will extend its drug awareness program in Poipet.He said the biggest challenge in Poipet is dealing with such a significant number of poor and extremely unstable families in one place, which makes stabilizing the children's situation very difficult. GE plans to repeat the survey each year to assist itself and other NGOs working in the area.
By Tracey Shelton
Poipet-A new survey on street kids living in this bustling, border town shocked social workers who say they didn't expect to see so many children living in deplorable conditions and so few attending school.
Yann Grandin, an advisor with the NGO Goutte d'Eau (GE) which conducted the survey of 210 children living on both the Thai and Cambodian side of the border, said the information gathered was in line with information they had about children he had worked with, but previously the results were considered to be the worst case scenario. It was the high percentages of child victims that came as a surprise, said Grandin, who has worked in Poipet for three years.
"I had not expected that almost the entire target group would have to face such hazardous living conditions," he said.
Thirty percent of the children interviewed said they regularly slept on the streets. The most common reasons they gave were fear of returning home, lack of earnings to turn over to their parents, domestic violence or simply that they preferred to stay on the street with siblings or friends.
The dusty town of Poipet, home to an estimated 70,000 people, has seen incredible growth since the opening of its first casino in 1999. Back then the population was just 5,000.
Thousands of Thais cross the border daily to gamble and the industry is thriving with nine casinos. Imports, both legal and illegal, are carted across the border by hundreds of cart pullers in an unending stream. Popular markets on both sides of the border attract shoppers from around the region.
The border crossing is also becoming more popular for tourists as roads to Siem Reap slowly improve. All this activity gives poor provincial families the impression that Poipet's bustling streets may offer them jobs.
But most of the population lives in poverty, and people often are caught up in the cycle of illegal immigration and deportation as they try for work in Thailand.
"This extremely unstable scenario makes the families concentrate all their efforts on daily survival, with no expectations or plans for the future," Grandin said. "Therefore, the children are part of the daily survival plan, having to work or beg to support the family and making it impossible to go to school."
Of those street kids who had homes, 89 percent lived in one-room plastic shacks. The sanitary conditions in the homes were inadequate, particularly in the rainy season.
The survey revealed that 75 percent of those interviewed had either dropped out or never attended school. Of those who had attended, fewer than 20 percent had progressed beyond grade 3.
Most of the children were under age 15. Half reported they worked all day everyday, most commonly scavenging and begging. Many worked as street sellers or cart pullers, transporting the flow of Thai imports across the border. Only a few children described theft or smuggling as their main form of income.
Daily wages ranged from 20 to 200 baht, or about 50 cents to $6.
Most of the girls earned a living by carrying umbrellas to shelter tourists from sun or rain while waiting at immigration. That job was of particular concern to social workers who say that kind of close contact with wealthy adults can lead to prostitution.
"Umbrella girls have admitted to our social workers that they sometimes have sexual relations for money," Grandin said.
"Two months ago we had two girls who disappeared for a few days from one of our two daycare centers. Parents believed that they were staying on the Thai side."
"Both of them came back after a few days, saying that they managed to escape from a brothel where they were forced to work as waitresses."
Grandin said he also received information that some umbrella girls were forced to work as prostitutes in the Thai market.
Only 20 percent of those interviewed were natives of Poipet. The rest were from a variety of poverty stricken families who moved there to find work. Bangkok survey
Well beyond the border the story is similar for the estimated 1,000 Khmer children begging and selling in the streets of Bangkok.
A survey of these street workers conducted in Bangkok last year by Friends International challenged previous assumptions of child trafficking rings when 80 percent of those interviewed said they were bought to Thailand by a parent or relative.In an interview at the GE center in Phnom Penh, 15- year- old Panha (not his real name) described his life as a beggar in Poipet before he was scooped up by GE, and brought to Phnom Penh to attend a special school for the handicapped.
He said he was very young when his parents took him to Thailand. Crippled by polio, he worked everyday begging and selling flowers in Bangkok until he was arrested by police and deported alone to Poipet about a year ago.
Social workers believe his mother was a child trafficker.
He described many other Khmer children being brought to Thailand by his mother to sell and beg along with him. Each night they would turn over all their earnings to his mother.
Workers from the Poipet Transit Center, a government run assistance center for women and children deported across the Thai border, said that five to ten trucks arrive at Poipet border crossing every day carrying Khmer deportees, many of them children arrested for begging alone on the street.
Glue sniffingThe Poipet survey completed last month found 26 of the 210 children interviewed admitted to taking drugs. But those who conducted the survey said that may not be an accurate portrayal of the drug use problem.
Panha said he picked up glue sniffing while he existed on money from begging around the border casinos. He joined a drug rehabilitation program at GE which later brought him to Phnom Penh.
"Many children denied consuming drugs although they have been seen by GE social workers taking drugs many times before," said Beatrice Muller, a Swiss volunteer who coordinated the survey.
However when asked if they knew of any drugs used on the streets of Poipet, most of the children admitted they were familiar particularly with glue sniffing and the meth- amphetamine known locally as yama.
More than half admitted their friends or relatives use drugs regularly.
Grandin said as a result of the survey GE will extend its drug awareness program in Poipet.He said the biggest challenge in Poipet is dealing with such a significant number of poor and extremely unstable families in one place, which makes stabilizing the children's situation very difficult. GE plans to repeat the survey each year to assist itself and other NGOs working in the area.
Notice to readers from the Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
Phnom Penh Post, Issue 17 / 01, January 11 - 23, 2008
For a number of years now-too many in fact-I have been looking for investors who could inject some capital in the Phnom Penh Post to help the newspaper become more competitive, expand staffing, upgrade equipment and keep me from having any more sleepless nights worrying about making monthly payroll or finding a computer repairman on a frantic Thursday deadline.
The larger goal has always been to increase the Post's ability to provide news and analysis on events in Cambodia.
In this regard, readers will be interested to learn that I have come to an agreement with a group of investors to do just that.
The three individuals who have agreed to jointly take a majority stake in the Post are: Ross Dunkley, currently chief executive officer of Myanmar Consolidated Media (MCM); Bill Clough, an Australian miner and oil and gas entrepreneur; and, Michel Dauguet, a French businessman with more than a decade's worth of experience involved in media and technology companies in Vietnam and Thailand.
For the immediate future I will remain as editor-in-chief of the Post and have been assured that editorial control of the paper will remain in my hands. In this regard, let me state for the record that I am fully committed to make every effort to retain the standards of journalism excellence that the Post has tried to maintain since its inception back in July, 1992.
For anybody with even the remotest understanding of the near manic process that surrounds the collection of information and subsequent production of a newspaper on a shoe-string budget (which includes managing the attendant cast of unique characters who participate directly in this process), it is all too painfully clear that there are regular hiccups along the road. But the overall intent has been, is and will remain clear: to produce one of the best, most readable and most reliable newspapers in the world. This is the goal and will remain so for as long as I continue to be responsible for the newspaper's content.
When we hit the mark, readers have been generous in their praise; when we miss it, the barbs usually fly rather quickly from numerous quarters. Either way, this is to be encouraged and I hope that those who rely on the Post will continue to share their thoughts with us on the quality of what we publish. Your input is welcomed and most readers know exactly how to find us.
Otherwise, let me extend my sincerest best wishes to all Post readers, advertisers, overseas subscribers, contributors and friends for the coming year. Your on-going support and constructive criticism over the past 16 years has made the continued existence of this paper a reality. And please rest assured that all of us here at the Post are extremely grateful for that.Michael HayesPublisher & Editor-in-Chief
For a number of years now-too many in fact-I have been looking for investors who could inject some capital in the Phnom Penh Post to help the newspaper become more competitive, expand staffing, upgrade equipment and keep me from having any more sleepless nights worrying about making monthly payroll or finding a computer repairman on a frantic Thursday deadline.
The larger goal has always been to increase the Post's ability to provide news and analysis on events in Cambodia.
In this regard, readers will be interested to learn that I have come to an agreement with a group of investors to do just that.
The three individuals who have agreed to jointly take a majority stake in the Post are: Ross Dunkley, currently chief executive officer of Myanmar Consolidated Media (MCM); Bill Clough, an Australian miner and oil and gas entrepreneur; and, Michel Dauguet, a French businessman with more than a decade's worth of experience involved in media and technology companies in Vietnam and Thailand.
For the immediate future I will remain as editor-in-chief of the Post and have been assured that editorial control of the paper will remain in my hands. In this regard, let me state for the record that I am fully committed to make every effort to retain the standards of journalism excellence that the Post has tried to maintain since its inception back in July, 1992.
For anybody with even the remotest understanding of the near manic process that surrounds the collection of information and subsequent production of a newspaper on a shoe-string budget (which includes managing the attendant cast of unique characters who participate directly in this process), it is all too painfully clear that there are regular hiccups along the road. But the overall intent has been, is and will remain clear: to produce one of the best, most readable and most reliable newspapers in the world. This is the goal and will remain so for as long as I continue to be responsible for the newspaper's content.
When we hit the mark, readers have been generous in their praise; when we miss it, the barbs usually fly rather quickly from numerous quarters. Either way, this is to be encouraged and I hope that those who rely on the Post will continue to share their thoughts with us on the quality of what we publish. Your input is welcomed and most readers know exactly how to find us.
Otherwise, let me extend my sincerest best wishes to all Post readers, advertisers, overseas subscribers, contributors and friends for the coming year. Your on-going support and constructive criticism over the past 16 years has made the continued existence of this paper a reality. And please rest assured that all of us here at the Post are extremely grateful for that.Michael HayesPublisher & Editor-in-Chief
Cambodia's Largest Airport Planned For Seaside Resort:Min-AFP
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AFP)--Cambodia's seaside airport near Sihanoukville is slated to become the country's largest as a new focus is placed on bringing tourists into the area, Tourism Minister Thong Khon said Friday.
"We project that Sihanoukville will be a well-developed city with potential in three areas: trade, industrial and tourism," Thong Khon told AFP in an interview.
"The plan of the government is for this airport to be bigger" than Phnom Penh International Airport.
A year after its reopening, service at the Sihanoukville airport remains limited to chartered domestic flights.
But plans are underway to make it a regional travel hub, with the first phase of a $200 million expansion expected to be completed by March.
The airport, some 230 kilometers southwest of Phnom Penh, had been closed since the early 1980s due to financial difficulties.
Direct flights between Siem Reap, the gateway to Cambodia's famed Angkor temples, and foreign cities have prompted a rise in tourist arrivals.
Officials hope Cambodia's south - which boasts long stretches of undisturbed coast and several islands currently under development - can also benefit from this boom by providing air links either to Siem Reap or directly to other countries.
Some 100,000 people visited Sihanoukville last year, Thong Khon said, adding that the government aimed to attract one million people by 2015.
Cambodia is one of the world's poorest countries, with tourism being one of the few rapidly growing industries bringing in much-needed revenue.
Tourist arrivals to Cambodia topped two million in 2007, marking a 20% increase over the previous year, Thong Khon said.
Officials hope to attract 2.4 million people to the country this year.
"We project that Sihanoukville will be a well-developed city with potential in three areas: trade, industrial and tourism," Thong Khon told AFP in an interview.
"The plan of the government is for this airport to be bigger" than Phnom Penh International Airport.
A year after its reopening, service at the Sihanoukville airport remains limited to chartered domestic flights.
But plans are underway to make it a regional travel hub, with the first phase of a $200 million expansion expected to be completed by March.
The airport, some 230 kilometers southwest of Phnom Penh, had been closed since the early 1980s due to financial difficulties.
Direct flights between Siem Reap, the gateway to Cambodia's famed Angkor temples, and foreign cities have prompted a rise in tourist arrivals.
Officials hope Cambodia's south - which boasts long stretches of undisturbed coast and several islands currently under development - can also benefit from this boom by providing air links either to Siem Reap or directly to other countries.
Some 100,000 people visited Sihanoukville last year, Thong Khon said, adding that the government aimed to attract one million people by 2015.
Cambodia is one of the world's poorest countries, with tourism being one of the few rapidly growing industries bringing in much-needed revenue.
Tourist arrivals to Cambodia topped two million in 2007, marking a 20% increase over the previous year, Thong Khon said.
Officials hope to attract 2.4 million people to the country this year.
Khmer Rouge Tribunal Officials Plan to Meet People and Officials in Pailin in Order to Help Them Overcome Their Trauma
Posted on 11 January 2008.
The Mirror, Vol. 12, No. 542
“Phnom Penh: Co-investigating judges of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia [ECCC] will talk with citizens and former Khmer Rouge leadership officials in Pailin, in order to alleviate their trauma which was caused by the regime of Democratic Kampuchea [that is the Khmer Rouge], and to explain to them the process of the tribunal.
“Mr. Reach Sambath, the ECCC spokesperson, told Kampuchea Thmey on the afternoon of 9 January that the ECCC will hold a meeting with citizens and former Khmer Rouge officials in Pailin next week.
“He continued that the program will be held on 15 January 2008 with the participation of the co-investigating judges of the tribunal Mr. You Bunleng and Mr. Marcel Lemonde.
“Mr. Reach Sambath went on the say that the purpose of the talk is to provide information to the authorities and the people in general who are former Khmer Rouge forces as well as citizens in Pailin, so that they can clarify their feelings and understand the purpose of the tribunal. ‘We hold a talk there in order to eliminate misunderstandings relating to different cases at the Khmer Rouge tribunal. The tribunal has power to try only the top leaders having had most responsibility for the regime of Democratic Kampuchea. Thus, folks who are former low-level Khmer Rouge officials and all citizens do not have to be worried about or afraid of anything.” They must have good feelings and must not worry. The selection of Pailin to hold such a big talk is the first case for the tribunal.
“Mr. Reach Sambath also stated that the big talk in Pailin is to be held for two days – the first day is to meet with representatives of the authorities and former Khmer Rouge officials, and the second day is to meet with citizens. The program has the purpose to motivate the former Khmer Rouge officials and all citizens to cooperate with the tribunal, because all this work is for all humanity, not only for former Khmer Rouge members or former Khmer Rouge officials in Pailin; the tribunal process cannot be successful unless it is supported by the people in Pailin.
“A source from Pailin said, concerning the holding of a big talk for two days, it is supported by the authorities in Pailin, but it is not known how many former Khmer Rouge officials or citizens will participate.
“It should be stated that recently, the tribunal process has been interesting, because five former Khmer Rouge leaders were arrested and brought to be detained in the detention center of the tribunal. Those former officials are Khang Khek Ieu known as Duch, Nuon Chea, Khiev Samphan, Ieng Sary, and Ieng Sary’s wife Ieng Thirith.
“On 7 January [a National Holiday, remembering 7 January 1979, being liberated from the Khmer Rouge regime], the Cambodian People’s Party announced its support for the tribunal for the trial of former Khmer Rouge leaders, and it also declared to go against all activities trying to prevent or disturb the process of the tribunal, because the tribunal has been awaited for so long by the citizens who are victims of the regime of Democratic Kampuchea.”
Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.7, #1541, 10.1.2008
The Mirror, Vol. 12, No. 542
“Phnom Penh: Co-investigating judges of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia [ECCC] will talk with citizens and former Khmer Rouge leadership officials in Pailin, in order to alleviate their trauma which was caused by the regime of Democratic Kampuchea [that is the Khmer Rouge], and to explain to them the process of the tribunal.
“Mr. Reach Sambath, the ECCC spokesperson, told Kampuchea Thmey on the afternoon of 9 January that the ECCC will hold a meeting with citizens and former Khmer Rouge officials in Pailin next week.
“He continued that the program will be held on 15 January 2008 with the participation of the co-investigating judges of the tribunal Mr. You Bunleng and Mr. Marcel Lemonde.
“Mr. Reach Sambath went on the say that the purpose of the talk is to provide information to the authorities and the people in general who are former Khmer Rouge forces as well as citizens in Pailin, so that they can clarify their feelings and understand the purpose of the tribunal. ‘We hold a talk there in order to eliminate misunderstandings relating to different cases at the Khmer Rouge tribunal. The tribunal has power to try only the top leaders having had most responsibility for the regime of Democratic Kampuchea. Thus, folks who are former low-level Khmer Rouge officials and all citizens do not have to be worried about or afraid of anything.” They must have good feelings and must not worry. The selection of Pailin to hold such a big talk is the first case for the tribunal.
“Mr. Reach Sambath also stated that the big talk in Pailin is to be held for two days – the first day is to meet with representatives of the authorities and former Khmer Rouge officials, and the second day is to meet with citizens. The program has the purpose to motivate the former Khmer Rouge officials and all citizens to cooperate with the tribunal, because all this work is for all humanity, not only for former Khmer Rouge members or former Khmer Rouge officials in Pailin; the tribunal process cannot be successful unless it is supported by the people in Pailin.
“A source from Pailin said, concerning the holding of a big talk for two days, it is supported by the authorities in Pailin, but it is not known how many former Khmer Rouge officials or citizens will participate.
“It should be stated that recently, the tribunal process has been interesting, because five former Khmer Rouge leaders were arrested and brought to be detained in the detention center of the tribunal. Those former officials are Khang Khek Ieu known as Duch, Nuon Chea, Khiev Samphan, Ieng Sary, and Ieng Sary’s wife Ieng Thirith.
“On 7 January [a National Holiday, remembering 7 January 1979, being liberated from the Khmer Rouge regime], the Cambodian People’s Party announced its support for the tribunal for the trial of former Khmer Rouge leaders, and it also declared to go against all activities trying to prevent or disturb the process of the tribunal, because the tribunal has been awaited for so long by the citizens who are victims of the regime of Democratic Kampuchea.”
Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.7, #1541, 10.1.2008
"Swirly-face" pedophile suspect pleads innocent
Canadian Christopher Paul Neil sits in the Bangkok Criminal Court on January 11, 2008.REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang
BANGKOK (Reuters) - "Swirly-face" Canadian pedophile suspect Christopher Neil pleaded not guilty on Friday in a pre-trial court hearing to charges of molesting under-age children in Thailand, a court official said on Friday.
The Bangkok criminal court set March 10 as the start of Neil's trial, more than four months after he was arrested in an international man-hunt triggered by the unraveling of his digitally scrambled face from images of abuse found on the Internet.
The pictures are thought to have been taken in Vietnam and Cambodia, so fall outside Thai jurisdiction.
However, after he fled to Thailand from South Korea, where he had been teaching, two Thai teenagers came forward and accused him of paying for oral sex when they were nine and 14, grounds for prosecution under Thai law.
"He denied all the charges at a pre-trial interview by an assistant judge," the court official, who declined to be identified, told Reuters.
The 32-year-old, unmasked by clever police computer work and a unique Interpol Internet appeal, faced charges of molesting under-age children, depriving children of parental care and restraint of freedom, said the official.
If found guilty, he could spend up to 20 years in jail.
Neil was caught in October in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, 250 km (160 miles) from Bangkok, thanks to a trace on the mobile phone of his 25-year-old transvestite boyfriend.
Thai police said he could be extradited once he had served his sentence. Cambodia said it also wanted to question Neil and would charge him if police there could put a case together. Vietnam might also want to question him.
(Reporting by Saovapark Pradubsang, writing by Nopporn Wong-Anan; editing by Ed Cropley and Roger Crabb)
The Bangkok criminal court set March 10 as the start of Neil's trial, more than four months after he was arrested in an international man-hunt triggered by the unraveling of his digitally scrambled face from images of abuse found on the Internet.
The pictures are thought to have been taken in Vietnam and Cambodia, so fall outside Thai jurisdiction.
However, after he fled to Thailand from South Korea, where he had been teaching, two Thai teenagers came forward and accused him of paying for oral sex when they were nine and 14, grounds for prosecution under Thai law.
"He denied all the charges at a pre-trial interview by an assistant judge," the court official, who declined to be identified, told Reuters.
The 32-year-old, unmasked by clever police computer work and a unique Interpol Internet appeal, faced charges of molesting under-age children, depriving children of parental care and restraint of freedom, said the official.
If found guilty, he could spend up to 20 years in jail.
Neil was caught in October in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, 250 km (160 miles) from Bangkok, thanks to a trace on the mobile phone of his 25-year-old transvestite boyfriend.
Thai police said he could be extradited once he had served his sentence. Cambodia said it also wanted to question Neil and would charge him if police there could put a case together. Vietnam might also want to question him.
(Reporting by Saovapark Pradubsang, writing by Nopporn Wong-Anan; editing by Ed Cropley and Roger Crabb)
Tourists see Mekong Delta in a day, by water and land
Jungle safari: Visitors take boat ride along a coconut tree-lined canal. — VNS Photo Hong Van(11-01-2008)
by Hong Van
HCM CITY — Children swam in the river. People bathed in the river. Men sat drinking on the terrace of their stilt houses near the riverbank. Women washed clothes in the river. A big stuffed bear was hanging to dry with some clothes on a fence.
When our boat passed by, children and teenagers on the riverbank jumped and waved their arms at us.
As we travelled along the Mekong River in Thailand, Cambodia and Viet Nam, the scenes of people’s lives at different spots were all quite similar.
The sinuous 4,184km Mekong River runs from Tibet, China, through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia before it merges with the East Sea on the southeastern shores of Viet Nam.
The boat ride from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to Viet Nam’s Vinh Xuyen border gate took around three hours.
The wind blew strong. We were so overwhelmed by what we saw along the river – the scenes of people’s everyday activities – that some of us flocked to the back of the boat to take photos.
Immigration procedures at the border went smoothly, except for one group member who was asked to return to Phnom Penh because his visa would not be valid until one day after our arrival. It cost US$10 for the boat ride back to Phnom Penh, but the Vietnamese boatman was kind enough to give the man a free ride.
We spent another 30 minutes on the boat travelling to Chau Doc Town in the Cuu Long (Mekong Delta) province of An Giang. On the wide river near the banks were fishing farms, petrol stations and floating water hyacinths.
Although we could have saved an hour going by boat, we decided to take a bus to Can Tho, the economic and cultural centre of Viet Nam’s Mekong Delta, 116km away from Chau Doc town.
The three-hour bus ride was a nice change from our previous perspective on the muddy river.
We passed by green rice fields, noticing the low straw-roofed houses with piles of straw nearby, the groves of bamboo, and the cows grazing in rice paddies. As the sun set, the scene became more nostalgic with smoke coming out of the houses.
Children in their school uniforms with backpacks walked hand in hand as they returned from school. Our bus driver honked as some children rode bicycles in the middle of the narrow road.
The bus quickly passed several newly painted churches and temples and village gates covered with weathered paint.
Cai Rang floating market
We arrived in Can Tho in the early evening. A boat had been arranged for us to visit the local Cai Rang floating market early the next morning.
At 6:30am, we set out the next day to see people who were already busy buying and selling at the floating market. Boats docked at the harbour were full of cabbages, sweet potatoes, watermelons, pineapples, grapefruits, mangoes, coconuts, coal, rice, and other essential goods, including detergent, cooking oil, salt and fish sauce.
The noise of people calling and yelling, of dogs barking and pigs oinking, as well as the roar of boat engines, brought the river to life. A boat with a barge containing a petrol station was pumping fuel to other boats through a pipe.
The local tour guide told us that people in small motorboats often go to the market early in the morning to buy vegetables or fruits or rice for resale. The big boats will stay until late afternoon.
We cruised around the market. People on the small boats approached to offer us fruit and locally embroidered clothes and tablecloths.
On the way back, a woman who had accompanied us from the beginning opened the big bag she had been carrying. She showed us sets of white embroidered tablecloths. She even put on the sleeping gown modeling it for us. One of us bought a gown for US$8 after bargaining down from $20.
The same morning, we left Can Tho for My Tho Town in Tien Giang Province, which is 110km away. Pham Thu Kim, a tour guide with the Tien Giang Tourism Department, greeted us in fluent English at the harbour. We later learned that she also spoke Russian, French, Chinese, English and Japanese.
About 70 km southwest of HCM City, for the past few years My Tho has become a popular tourism spot for foreigners. Families have signed contracts with the provincial tourism department to sell fruit, coconut toffees, handicrafts, and souvenirs such as small bottles of cobra wine, lacquerware, and embroidered clothes to tourists.
Making use of natural resources is how the people in the Mekong basin live. In Thailand, we visited a family about one hour from Bangkok who make palm sugar from palm flower juice. In My Tho, making coconut toffee is one of the most popular businesses.
After a short rest to sample grapefruit, pineapple, mango, watermelon, and tea for free, our tour guide, Kim, led us through a stand of water coconut trees as we arrived at a small harbour. We then boarded boats that could accommodate only six people each.
The boat owners gave each of us a conical hat to protect us from the hot sun. Weaving through the narrow canal with the tall coconut trees around us, we listened to a description of how the Vietnamese guerrillas used the criss-crossing canal system to hide from American surveillance above.
After about 15 minutes the canal led us to the Tien River, an estuary of the Mekong River. Our first boat had been waiting for us. We came back to the harbour and travelled to HCM City, ending our two-day tour in the Mekong Delta.
While we visited the delta from Phnom Penh, it is possible to travel from HCM City. Most of these tours are usually booked on De Tham, Pham Ngu Lao and Bui Vien streets in District 1.
The best time to visit the Mekong Delta is the dry season from November to January, the coolest time of the year. — VNS
by Hong Van
HCM CITY — Children swam in the river. People bathed in the river. Men sat drinking on the terrace of their stilt houses near the riverbank. Women washed clothes in the river. A big stuffed bear was hanging to dry with some clothes on a fence.
When our boat passed by, children and teenagers on the riverbank jumped and waved their arms at us.
As we travelled along the Mekong River in Thailand, Cambodia and Viet Nam, the scenes of people’s lives at different spots were all quite similar.
The sinuous 4,184km Mekong River runs from Tibet, China, through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia before it merges with the East Sea on the southeastern shores of Viet Nam.
The boat ride from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to Viet Nam’s Vinh Xuyen border gate took around three hours.
The wind blew strong. We were so overwhelmed by what we saw along the river – the scenes of people’s everyday activities – that some of us flocked to the back of the boat to take photos.
Immigration procedures at the border went smoothly, except for one group member who was asked to return to Phnom Penh because his visa would not be valid until one day after our arrival. It cost US$10 for the boat ride back to Phnom Penh, but the Vietnamese boatman was kind enough to give the man a free ride.
We spent another 30 minutes on the boat travelling to Chau Doc Town in the Cuu Long (Mekong Delta) province of An Giang. On the wide river near the banks were fishing farms, petrol stations and floating water hyacinths.
Although we could have saved an hour going by boat, we decided to take a bus to Can Tho, the economic and cultural centre of Viet Nam’s Mekong Delta, 116km away from Chau Doc town.
The three-hour bus ride was a nice change from our previous perspective on the muddy river.
We passed by green rice fields, noticing the low straw-roofed houses with piles of straw nearby, the groves of bamboo, and the cows grazing in rice paddies. As the sun set, the scene became more nostalgic with smoke coming out of the houses.
Children in their school uniforms with backpacks walked hand in hand as they returned from school. Our bus driver honked as some children rode bicycles in the middle of the narrow road.
The bus quickly passed several newly painted churches and temples and village gates covered with weathered paint.
Cai Rang floating market
We arrived in Can Tho in the early evening. A boat had been arranged for us to visit the local Cai Rang floating market early the next morning.
At 6:30am, we set out the next day to see people who were already busy buying and selling at the floating market. Boats docked at the harbour were full of cabbages, sweet potatoes, watermelons, pineapples, grapefruits, mangoes, coconuts, coal, rice, and other essential goods, including detergent, cooking oil, salt and fish sauce.
The noise of people calling and yelling, of dogs barking and pigs oinking, as well as the roar of boat engines, brought the river to life. A boat with a barge containing a petrol station was pumping fuel to other boats through a pipe.
The local tour guide told us that people in small motorboats often go to the market early in the morning to buy vegetables or fruits or rice for resale. The big boats will stay until late afternoon.
We cruised around the market. People on the small boats approached to offer us fruit and locally embroidered clothes and tablecloths.
On the way back, a woman who had accompanied us from the beginning opened the big bag she had been carrying. She showed us sets of white embroidered tablecloths. She even put on the sleeping gown modeling it for us. One of us bought a gown for US$8 after bargaining down from $20.
The same morning, we left Can Tho for My Tho Town in Tien Giang Province, which is 110km away. Pham Thu Kim, a tour guide with the Tien Giang Tourism Department, greeted us in fluent English at the harbour. We later learned that she also spoke Russian, French, Chinese, English and Japanese.
About 70 km southwest of HCM City, for the past few years My Tho has become a popular tourism spot for foreigners. Families have signed contracts with the provincial tourism department to sell fruit, coconut toffees, handicrafts, and souvenirs such as small bottles of cobra wine, lacquerware, and embroidered clothes to tourists.
Making use of natural resources is how the people in the Mekong basin live. In Thailand, we visited a family about one hour from Bangkok who make palm sugar from palm flower juice. In My Tho, making coconut toffee is one of the most popular businesses.
After a short rest to sample grapefruit, pineapple, mango, watermelon, and tea for free, our tour guide, Kim, led us through a stand of water coconut trees as we arrived at a small harbour. We then boarded boats that could accommodate only six people each.
The boat owners gave each of us a conical hat to protect us from the hot sun. Weaving through the narrow canal with the tall coconut trees around us, we listened to a description of how the Vietnamese guerrillas used the criss-crossing canal system to hide from American surveillance above.
After about 15 minutes the canal led us to the Tien River, an estuary of the Mekong River. Our first boat had been waiting for us. We came back to the harbour and travelled to HCM City, ending our two-day tour in the Mekong Delta.
While we visited the delta from Phnom Penh, it is possible to travel from HCM City. Most of these tours are usually booked on De Tham, Pham Ngu Lao and Bui Vien streets in District 1.
The best time to visit the Mekong Delta is the dry season from November to January, the coolest time of the year. — VNS
Friday, 11 January 2008
VIP Bodyguard beaten a truck driver
This is the ANIMAL bodyguard with violent savagery to the Khmer Peoples
This kind of activity has proved that Cambodia is still running by a group of mafia style people. These idiots with monies and wants to show off other people about their power by ignoring that this kind of actvities will bring into Cambodia more shames and more laughable. People from outside will consider that Cambodia is a farm of untrainable animals( behaviour of people who owned all these animal bodyguards ). -- Areak PreyPhnom Penh city – The driver of a dirt hauling truck was beaten by men dressed in bodyguard uniform on 07 January. This incident took place along National Road 5, in front of the Petrol gas station, at the entrance to the Kob Srov dike, at 8:15 AM.
On the morning of the incident, a procession of cars led by a car blaring siren sound was seen in traffic, however, it is not known whom the car procession belonged to, whether a high-ranking official or a rich businessman. The procession came across a dirt hauling truck which was turning the corner, in the direction of the Kob Srov dike, but because of the heavy traffic in that area in the morning, the truck driver could not pull back to make way for an easy passage of the VIP car procession. Even though the VIP car procession, including the car blaring the siren sound, was able to pass the truck already, the last car in the procession loaded with bodyguards, pulled back and blocked the truck, and out came three bodyguards. One of them pointed at the truck driver, but no one can tell what they were saying at each other, nevertheless, the bodyguard was seen grabbing the truck door and opened it, and he pulled out an (AK-47) rifle to point at the driver, he then pulled out the driver and dropped him down to the ground, and proceeded to beat him up. The truck driver was lucky when he dodged the beating aimed at this head, but he was beaten on the back instead. After the beating, the bodyguards took off, and the truck diver hurried to climb back into the truck and took off to the Kob Srov dike direction.
The incident took place under the plain sight of hundreds of travelers and residents living nearby. Everybody was exasperated by the action taken by these bodyguards, some of the spectators even cursed them because they pitied the truck drivers.
This event took place on 07 January, a day when all Cambodian people were freed from the blood-soaked hands of the KR regime, however, for this particular truck driver, it is a day when he was beaten up instead. The morning spectacle led some of the spectators to become speechless when they witnessed such violent savagery.
Foreigners get 120 yrs jail in Cambodia drugs bust
Jan 11, 2008
AFP
PHNOM PENH - FOUR Chinese nationals and a Thai man arrested last year in Cambodia's largest-ever drugs bust have been jailed for a combined total of 120 years, a court official said on Friday.
The five were among 21 people seized in April, during a police raid on a massive drugs laboratory located on a plantation 50 kilometres from the capital Phnom Penh.
Police discovered two tonnes of chemicals used in the production of 'yaba', a cheap and potent methamphetamine widely used throughout Southeast Asia.
Another tonne of drug-making chemicals was later found in Phnom Penh.
The Thai, along with three Chinese men, were sentenced on Thursday to 25 years each, Judge Iv Kimsry said, adding that a Chinese woman was jailed for 20 years.
A sixth suspect who has fled to Thailand was jailed in absentia for life, he said.
'The court found them guilty for involvement in illegal drug production,' the Judge said. 'It's the largest drug trial ever seen in Cambodia.'
Fourteen Cambodians also arrested at the scene were acquitted after the court determined that they had been tricked into thinking they were employed to spray chemicals on farmland, Judge Iv Kimsry said.
April's bust was the first evidence of large-scale drugs production in Cambodia, which is an increasingly popular trafficking point for narcotics after neighbouring Thailand toughened its stance on illegal drugs in 2002.
AFP
PHNOM PENH - FOUR Chinese nationals and a Thai man arrested last year in Cambodia's largest-ever drugs bust have been jailed for a combined total of 120 years, a court official said on Friday.
The five were among 21 people seized in April, during a police raid on a massive drugs laboratory located on a plantation 50 kilometres from the capital Phnom Penh.
Police discovered two tonnes of chemicals used in the production of 'yaba', a cheap and potent methamphetamine widely used throughout Southeast Asia.
Another tonne of drug-making chemicals was later found in Phnom Penh.
The Thai, along with three Chinese men, were sentenced on Thursday to 25 years each, Judge Iv Kimsry said, adding that a Chinese woman was jailed for 20 years.
A sixth suspect who has fled to Thailand was jailed in absentia for life, he said.
'The court found them guilty for involvement in illegal drug production,' the Judge said. 'It's the largest drug trial ever seen in Cambodia.'
Fourteen Cambodians also arrested at the scene were acquitted after the court determined that they had been tricked into thinking they were employed to spray chemicals on farmland, Judge Iv Kimsry said.
April's bust was the first evidence of large-scale drugs production in Cambodia, which is an increasingly popular trafficking point for narcotics after neighbouring Thailand toughened its stance on illegal drugs in 2002.
City welcomes Viet Kieu for Tet
11/01/2008VietNamNet
Bridge – The HCM City People’s Committee has assigned the HCM City Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs to design programs to welcome Viet Kieu returning to Vietnam for Tet in late January and early February 2008.
Welcoming receptions will be organized at the Tan Son Nhat Airport from January 8 to February 16. The airport’s terminal has the motif of a traditional Tet festival. Volunteers will be posted at the airport to help the overseas Vietnamese when they arrive.
On February 18-19, the HCM City Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs and Vietnamese Embassies in Cambodia, the Vietnamese Association in Cambodia and HCM City’s Youth Union will pay visits and present gifts to disadvantaged Vietnamese in Cambodia for the occasion of the lunar new year.
A meeting with overseas Vietnamese will be held on January 29 at 111 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan, District 3; participants will include HCM City’s senior officials and around 600 Viet Kieu.
The Overseas Vietnamese Liaison Association and the Overseas Vietnamese Business Association will organize a meeting with overseas Vietnamese to welcome the Tet festival on January 24 at the Phu Tho Sports Club.
(Source: Tien Phong)
Invading tourists force Cambodian school to rope off classrooms
11.01.08 07:34
DPA
A Cambodian-based not-for-profit educational charity has cooperated with students at a school near an ancient temple to stop foreign tourists wandering through their classes.
British-registered Schools for Children of Cambodia (SCC) posted the advisory on its website this week, saying it had roped off classrooms "to keep tourists from wandering on campus, photographing (the children) in class, and disrupting their education." "The school stands within 100 metres of the entrance to the 9th-century Lolei temple ruins, which attract hundreds of visitors each day," SCC general manager for Cambodia, Andrea Messmer, said in a statement.
Lolei Primary School's position at the edge of the famous Angkor Wat temple complex in the northern province of Siem Reap, about 400 kilometres from the capital, means it is prohibited by royal decree from erecting any permanent structure to control curious travelers, or potential sexual predators posing as tourists.
"While some tourists enter the school grounds to use the toilets ... others enter to get a glimpse of everyday Cambodian life," Messmer wrote.
DPA
A Cambodian-based not-for-profit educational charity has cooperated with students at a school near an ancient temple to stop foreign tourists wandering through their classes.
British-registered Schools for Children of Cambodia (SCC) posted the advisory on its website this week, saying it had roped off classrooms "to keep tourists from wandering on campus, photographing (the children) in class, and disrupting their education." "The school stands within 100 metres of the entrance to the 9th-century Lolei temple ruins, which attract hundreds of visitors each day," SCC general manager for Cambodia, Andrea Messmer, said in a statement.
Lolei Primary School's position at the edge of the famous Angkor Wat temple complex in the northern province of Siem Reap, about 400 kilometres from the capital, means it is prohibited by royal decree from erecting any permanent structure to control curious travelers, or potential sexual predators posing as tourists.
"While some tourists enter the school grounds to use the toilets ... others enter to get a glimpse of everyday Cambodian life," Messmer wrote.
Two Cambodian men vapourised by anti-tank mine
Fri, 11 Jan 2008
Author : DPA
Phnom Penh - Two Cambodian farmers were vapourised by an anti-tank mine they accidentally triggered while cutting bamboo, police said Friday. Nuth Veat, 43, and Mour Koy, 41, died instantly along with the two cattle they were using to pull their cart, Kamreang district police chief in the north-eastern province of Battambang, Cheam Kimhong said by telephone.
"There was not much left. The bodies of the people and the animals were obliterated and turned to rain. We can tell what is what from clothes alone," he said.
He said Wednesday's tragedy was followed within 24 hours by another landmine explosion nearby which left one man dead and three injured after they played with the mine and detonated it.
The Cambodian Mine Action Center said the number of deaths and injuries in Cambodia from landmines and unexploded ordinance last year fell to 339 from 450 in 2006 but provinces like Battambang, which saw heavy fighting during the 30-year civil war, still suffer a rate higher than the national average.
Author : DPA
Phnom Penh - Two Cambodian farmers were vapourised by an anti-tank mine they accidentally triggered while cutting bamboo, police said Friday. Nuth Veat, 43, and Mour Koy, 41, died instantly along with the two cattle they were using to pull their cart, Kamreang district police chief in the north-eastern province of Battambang, Cheam Kimhong said by telephone.
"There was not much left. The bodies of the people and the animals were obliterated and turned to rain. We can tell what is what from clothes alone," he said.
He said Wednesday's tragedy was followed within 24 hours by another landmine explosion nearby which left one man dead and three injured after they played with the mine and detonated it.
The Cambodian Mine Action Center said the number of deaths and injuries in Cambodia from landmines and unexploded ordinance last year fell to 339 from 450 in 2006 but provinces like Battambang, which saw heavy fighting during the 30-year civil war, still suffer a rate higher than the national average.
Hun Sen: Defectors Are Not Turncoats
By Mean Veasna, VOA Khmer Original report from Phnom Penh
10 January 2008
Listen Mean Veasna reports in Khmer
Prime Minister Hun Sen told a group of government officials Thursday that defectors from the royalist party to the ruling party should not be considered turncoats.
Addressing a group of Funcinpec officials at an agricultural development meeting, Hun Sen said members of any political party had the legal right to move to another without being branded traitorous.
"He said, firstly, don't use the word 'submission' for those who defected from Funcinpec to the CPP. It's not right," said government spokesman Khieu Kanharith. "And, secondly, don't use the word 'turncoat' either. It is neither submission nor turncoat, because it is their political right to do so."
Funcinpec is the parliamentary partner of the ruling Cambodian People's Party, though its influence has steadily declined since it was a viable rival in the late 1990s.
"Actually, some people are former politicians in the CPP, and we'd just appointed them, so the majority are now going back to their party," said Funcinpec Secretary-General Nhiek Bun Chhay. "That's why some people just said those politicians are traitors. This point is not right either, because they are going back to where they once belonged."
Some Funcinpec officials have steadily moved their allegiance to the CPP and other parties following a sound defeat of royalist representatives in local elections in April 2007.
Forced Evictions Highlights Hazards of Urban Development
By Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer Washington
10 January 2008
Listen Sok Khemara hosts 'Hello VOA' in Khmer
Recent clashes between residents of a Phnom Penh shanty neighborhood and a local construction company, along with the torching of the company's truck Tuesday, highlight some of the uncertainty Cambodia's urban poor live under.
More than 100 families are facing persecution and intimidation from city authorities and private business interests in the Red Earth neighborhood of Tonle Bassac commune, Chamkarmon district, said Am Samath, a monitor for the rights group Licadho.
The area is slated for development and the residents have been ordered to leave, leading to several clashes in recent weeks.
At least six people have been charged following a rock-throwing exchange on Tuesday, as residents worried the 7NG company from tearing down their homes, Am Samath said. At least one person was in Prey Sar prison as a result of clashes, which also led to the burning of a truck, he said, speaking as a guest Thursday on "Hello VOA."
Company officials have said they are caught between a city policy to move the people and the people's resistance to moving.
"We want only peaceful resolution and proper compensation," said Chan Vichet, a village representative who was also a guest on Thursday's show. "We do not want intimidation or problems."
He appealed to Prime Minister Hun Sen to help the residents find a "reasonable exchange."
Since the truck was lighted on fire, said Loa Seyha, another resident on the show, parents have not allowed their children to go to school.
"We fear [authorities] will remove our homes," Loa Seyha said.
In 2005, 1,200 families were similarly removed from a Dankao District development site, and have since faced daily challenges far from city services, schools or jobs. Even now, the families have only informal land certificates, leading to worries they could be moved again.
The residents of the Red Earth neighborhood say they fear the same fate.
More than 100 families are facing persecution and intimidation from city authorities and private business interests in the Red Earth neighborhood of Tonle Bassac commune, Chamkarmon district, said Am Samath, a monitor for the rights group Licadho.
The area is slated for development and the residents have been ordered to leave, leading to several clashes in recent weeks.
At least six people have been charged following a rock-throwing exchange on Tuesday, as residents worried the 7NG company from tearing down their homes, Am Samath said. At least one person was in Prey Sar prison as a result of clashes, which also led to the burning of a truck, he said, speaking as a guest Thursday on "Hello VOA."
Company officials have said they are caught between a city policy to move the people and the people's resistance to moving.
"We want only peaceful resolution and proper compensation," said Chan Vichet, a village representative who was also a guest on Thursday's show. "We do not want intimidation or problems."
He appealed to Prime Minister Hun Sen to help the residents find a "reasonable exchange."
Since the truck was lighted on fire, said Loa Seyha, another resident on the show, parents have not allowed their children to go to school.
"We fear [authorities] will remove our homes," Loa Seyha said.
In 2005, 1,200 families were similarly removed from a Dankao District development site, and have since faced daily challenges far from city services, schools or jobs. Even now, the families have only informal land certificates, leading to worries they could be moved again.
The residents of the Red Earth neighborhood say they fear the same fate.
Samlot Residents Report Widespread Illegal Logging
By Chiep Mony,
VOA Khmer Original report from Phnom Penh
10 January 2008
Listen Chiep Mony reports in Khmer
Environment Ministry and military officials in a former Khmer Rouge stronghold are stripping the forests of luxury hardwood, a local official told VOA Khmer Thursday.
Government forces are giving logging businesses free rein to strip the forests in Samlot district, Battambang province, the official, who asked not to be identified, said.
"Those involved in the luxury wood trade are high-ranking officials, those at the border, those soldiers, police and military police and their networks," said the local official. "They allow traders to do their business with no arrests. They are paid."
Cambodia has seen relentless logging of its pristine forests over the years. Much of the money goes to a small circle of politicians and business owners with close ties to Prime Minister Hun Sen, a report by the monitoring group Global Witness says.
A Samlot official Thursday denied allegations illegal loggers were operating in his area.
"If I said no, you would not believe me," said Samlot District Chief Hem Sophal. "So you don't have to believe either me or the informants, you'd better come and see for yourself with your own eyes."
VOA Khmer Original report from Phnom Penh
10 January 2008
Listen Chiep Mony reports in Khmer
Environment Ministry and military officials in a former Khmer Rouge stronghold are stripping the forests of luxury hardwood, a local official told VOA Khmer Thursday.
Government forces are giving logging businesses free rein to strip the forests in Samlot district, Battambang province, the official, who asked not to be identified, said.
"Those involved in the luxury wood trade are high-ranking officials, those at the border, those soldiers, police and military police and their networks," said the local official. "They allow traders to do their business with no arrests. They are paid."
Cambodia has seen relentless logging of its pristine forests over the years. Much of the money goes to a small circle of politicians and business owners with close ties to Prime Minister Hun Sen, a report by the monitoring group Global Witness says.
A Samlot official Thursday denied allegations illegal loggers were operating in his area.
"If I said no, you would not believe me," said Samlot District Chief Hem Sophal. "So you don't have to believe either me or the informants, you'd better come and see for yourself with your own eyes."
Interactive travel show to hit Cambodia next week
Big News Network.com
Thursday 10th January, 2008
Alex Boylan winner of the "Amazing Race" will be in Cambodia next week. Want to explore the remote wilds of Kruger National Park, South Africa and Arusha, Tanzania without having to leave the comforts of your own home? Around The World Productions provides a multiplatform interactive reality travel show, "Around The World For Free," that allows you to do just that.
The show follows the travel adventures of Boylan as he circumnavigates the globe without a cent in his pocket.
The Internet fan community and the strangers that Boylan meets along the way are able to dictate the outcome of the show. Boylan says, "It is an honor to be welcomed into a complete stranger's home and treated as a member of their family where I can experience and learn about other people's culture. It makes me want to seek out new locations, new stories and new experiences to share with the Around The World For Free community."
In three months alone, the Internet fan community at www.aroundtheworldforfree.com has seen a wide variety of countries and people. In Peru, viewers travelled alongside Boylan as he arrived at the ruins of Macchu Picchu, where they were able to marvel at this natural wonder. While in Chile, they walked alongside him as he trekked and got lost in the Atacama Desert, the driest desert on earth, bordering Bolivia and Peru. In contrast, they got entangled in the rugged Kruger National Park in South Africa where they went on a ,safari with Boylan and met rhinos, hippos, black mambas and enjoyed the passing parade of wildlife.
Other features of the portfolio have included parasailing, rafting, surfing, 4 wheeling, walking through the jungle, working at a winery, working on a banana farm, and working as a camp counsellor.
Thursday 10th January, 2008
Alex Boylan winner of the "Amazing Race" will be in Cambodia next week. Want to explore the remote wilds of Kruger National Park, South Africa and Arusha, Tanzania without having to leave the comforts of your own home? Around The World Productions provides a multiplatform interactive reality travel show, "Around The World For Free," that allows you to do just that.
The show follows the travel adventures of Boylan as he circumnavigates the globe without a cent in his pocket.
The Internet fan community and the strangers that Boylan meets along the way are able to dictate the outcome of the show. Boylan says, "It is an honor to be welcomed into a complete stranger's home and treated as a member of their family where I can experience and learn about other people's culture. It makes me want to seek out new locations, new stories and new experiences to share with the Around The World For Free community."
In three months alone, the Internet fan community at www.aroundtheworldforfree.com has seen a wide variety of countries and people. In Peru, viewers travelled alongside Boylan as he arrived at the ruins of Macchu Picchu, where they were able to marvel at this natural wonder. While in Chile, they walked alongside him as he trekked and got lost in the Atacama Desert, the driest desert on earth, bordering Bolivia and Peru. In contrast, they got entangled in the rugged Kruger National Park in South Africa where they went on a ,safari with Boylan and met rhinos, hippos, black mambas and enjoyed the passing parade of wildlife.
Other features of the portfolio have included parasailing, rafting, surfing, 4 wheeling, walking through the jungle, working at a winery, working on a banana farm, and working as a camp counsellor.
New ASEAN Secretary-General Expects to Have an ASEAN Human Rights Organization
Phnom Penh: The new ASEAN Secretary-General, who has just taken up this position, expressed optimism that the ASEAN countries will join to create an ASEAN human rights organization as an important instrument to promote human rights in the region.
“Mr. Surin Pitswuan, the former Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs, who just took up the position of ASEAN Secretary-General in early January 2008, said that he believes ASEAN will have its human rights organization in five years, while the process for its creation has already started.
“He went on to say, ‘ASEAN will have an human rights organization.’ He added, ‘ASEAN government leaders have already announced the creation of this organization in a joint statement, and this is a positive process.’
His speech was quoted by the Antara News Agency of Indonesia after he had said so at a press conference this Monday.
“Ms. Seng Theary, the President of the Center for Social Development, a non-government organization in Cambodia, told Rasmei Kampuchea that she welcomes the creation of such an organization.
The president of the Center for Social Development added that this will be an important contribution to promote human rights in the ten member countries of ASEAN.
“At a conference of ASEAN ministers in 2007 in the Philippines, the ten ASEAN countries, including Myanmar (Burma) which previously had opposed this creation, now it also expressed its support for the creation of an ASEAN human rights organization.
“It should be stated that Samdech Akak Moha Senapadei Dekchor Hun Sen, the Prime Minister of Cambodia, expressed full support for the initiative when Cambodia was in the chair of an unofficial ASEAN conference on the creation of an ASEAN human rights organization, in 2007 in Siem Reap.
Samdech Akak Moha Senapadei Dekchor Hun Sen hinted that Cambodia is also on the way to create a national organization for human rights.” Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.16, #4484, 9.1.2008
“Mr. Surin Pitswuan, the former Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs, who just took up the position of ASEAN Secretary-General in early January 2008, said that he believes ASEAN will have its human rights organization in five years, while the process for its creation has already started.
“He went on to say, ‘ASEAN will have an human rights organization.’ He added, ‘ASEAN government leaders have already announced the creation of this organization in a joint statement, and this is a positive process.’
His speech was quoted by the Antara News Agency of Indonesia after he had said so at a press conference this Monday.
“Ms. Seng Theary, the President of the Center for Social Development, a non-government organization in Cambodia, told Rasmei Kampuchea that she welcomes the creation of such an organization.
The president of the Center for Social Development added that this will be an important contribution to promote human rights in the ten member countries of ASEAN.
“At a conference of ASEAN ministers in 2007 in the Philippines, the ten ASEAN countries, including Myanmar (Burma) which previously had opposed this creation, now it also expressed its support for the creation of an ASEAN human rights organization.
“It should be stated that Samdech Akak Moha Senapadei Dekchor Hun Sen, the Prime Minister of Cambodia, expressed full support for the initiative when Cambodia was in the chair of an unofficial ASEAN conference on the creation of an ASEAN human rights organization, in 2007 in Siem Reap.
Samdech Akak Moha Senapadei Dekchor Hun Sen hinted that Cambodia is also on the way to create a national organization for human rights.” Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.16, #4484, 9.1.2008
Publisher Urges Municipal Court to Demand $20,000 from Radio Free Asia
The Mirror, Vol. 12, No. 542
Phnom Penh: Mr. Bernard Krisher, the publisher of The Cambodia Daily, said on 6 January 2008 that he explained to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on 25 December 2007 his lawsuit against Radio Free Asia [RFA] demanding approximately US$20,000 compensation, because RFA copied all pieces of information from them, The Cambodia Daily for more than ten years.
“During October 2007, Mr. Kem Sos, the President of the Khmer service of RFA, gave explanations to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court regarding the lawsuit of The Cambodia Daily.
Mr. Kem Sos made no comment when Koh Santepheap contacted him by phone, but he passed questions on to his lawyer to answer instead of him, but also the lawyer did not make any comment.
“Mr. Bernard Krisher added that for two years, RFA had copied and faxed all pieces of information from The Cambodia Daily from Phnom Penh to Bangkok, and then they sent it to the United States.
He affirmed, ‘We will not allow this, no matter how much would be paid, because it is a violation of copyright legislation of the country.
They can quote some pieces of information but not all – for example for teaching students.’ “A RFA staff member, who asked that his name should not to be mentioned, said that as far as he knows, this issue had already been settled between the leaders of the two institutions.
The same staff member said that the lawsuit might have already been finished. “However, a RFA staff member had said that some issues were to be decided by the [RFA] leaders in Washington, USA. “Mr. Bernard Krisher went on to say, ‘We want the court to demand the money from RFA to be paid into our account. Then we will use that money to help poor people, such as by constructing school buildings in Kandal etc.’
He continued to say that when he was explaining the issue to the court, the court required him to give them the name and the address of the president of RFA, and he gave this information already to the court. “
Mr. Bernard Krisher added, ‘According to law, they cannot copy all pieces of information from The Cambodia Daily; previously they had acknowledged that they were guilty and they said they would not commit the offense any longer, but later on they did the same.’
He continued that during the first two years, he wrote to Mr. Kem Sos about this issue and there was an apology at that time, but after that, they said that they were not guilty concerning this issue.
Therefore, Mr. Bernard Krisher decided to file a complaint to the court, asking for help to find justice.
“The publisher of The Cambodia Daily affirmed that previously, the Sam Rainsy Party had copied whole articles and posted them on their homepage, but he wrote to them and then they paid $2,000 and promised not to continue to do what they had done any longer.
He continued that also the United Nations Development Program used to do the same, but they paid US$5,000. ‘We do not prohibit to quote from the content for publication, but not the whole content.” Koh Santepheap, Vol.41, #6239, 8.1.2008
Phnom Penh: Mr. Bernard Krisher, the publisher of The Cambodia Daily, said on 6 January 2008 that he explained to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on 25 December 2007 his lawsuit against Radio Free Asia [RFA] demanding approximately US$20,000 compensation, because RFA copied all pieces of information from them, The Cambodia Daily for more than ten years.
“During October 2007, Mr. Kem Sos, the President of the Khmer service of RFA, gave explanations to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court regarding the lawsuit of The Cambodia Daily.
Mr. Kem Sos made no comment when Koh Santepheap contacted him by phone, but he passed questions on to his lawyer to answer instead of him, but also the lawyer did not make any comment.
“Mr. Bernard Krisher added that for two years, RFA had copied and faxed all pieces of information from The Cambodia Daily from Phnom Penh to Bangkok, and then they sent it to the United States.
He affirmed, ‘We will not allow this, no matter how much would be paid, because it is a violation of copyright legislation of the country.
They can quote some pieces of information but not all – for example for teaching students.’ “A RFA staff member, who asked that his name should not to be mentioned, said that as far as he knows, this issue had already been settled between the leaders of the two institutions.
The same staff member said that the lawsuit might have already been finished. “However, a RFA staff member had said that some issues were to be decided by the [RFA] leaders in Washington, USA. “Mr. Bernard Krisher went on to say, ‘We want the court to demand the money from RFA to be paid into our account. Then we will use that money to help poor people, such as by constructing school buildings in Kandal etc.’
He continued to say that when he was explaining the issue to the court, the court required him to give them the name and the address of the president of RFA, and he gave this information already to the court. “
Mr. Bernard Krisher added, ‘According to law, they cannot copy all pieces of information from The Cambodia Daily; previously they had acknowledged that they were guilty and they said they would not commit the offense any longer, but later on they did the same.’
He continued that during the first two years, he wrote to Mr. Kem Sos about this issue and there was an apology at that time, but after that, they said that they were not guilty concerning this issue.
Therefore, Mr. Bernard Krisher decided to file a complaint to the court, asking for help to find justice.
“The publisher of The Cambodia Daily affirmed that previously, the Sam Rainsy Party had copied whole articles and posted them on their homepage, but he wrote to them and then they paid $2,000 and promised not to continue to do what they had done any longer.
He continued that also the United Nations Development Program used to do the same, but they paid US$5,000. ‘We do not prohibit to quote from the content for publication, but not the whole content.” Koh Santepheap, Vol.41, #6239, 8.1.2008
Near Anniversary of Leader's Murder, Union Calls for Mass Rally Over Salaries
By Heng Reaksmey,
VOA Khmer Original report from Phnom Penh
10 January 2008
10 January 2008
A trade union in Cambodia is seeking government permission to hold a massive rally Jan. 25 over workers' salaries and the rising cost of living in Cambodia.
Chea Mony, brother of slain union leader Chea Vichea and president of the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia, told VOA Khmer he was seeking permission to gather 100,000 workers.
The proposed rally would come just three days after the fourth anniversary of the murder of Chea Vichea, which sparked widespread worker unrest.
Cambodia earns much of its foreign revenue from garment factories, and unions continually clash with authorities over their rights.
Chea Vichea was murdered Jan. 22, 2004.
In two separate letters, to Minister of Education Kol Pheng and Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chuktema, Chea Mony requested permission to rally 100,000 workers from 180 factories near Olympic Stadium.
"If the wage is still low while inflation keeps increasing, and the garment factory associations have shown the increase in products in both 2006 and 2007—up to 12 percent—we'd like them to use those profits to increase the salaries of the workers," Chea Mony said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Hun Sen told the Cambodian Union Federation in a letter Thursday the government's response to inflation could be to raise the minimum wage to $72 per month, while their living expenses are only $30 per month.
Rong Chhun, president of the Cambodian Union Federation, called the response "an excuse and temporary answer to avoid dealing with the problems, while inflation is worsening."
Rubber group to expand plantation in Cambodia
Mathaba News Agency
Asia Economy
2008/01/10
Phnom Penh (VNA) – Four subsidiaries of the Viet Nam Rubber Group (VRG) will plant a combined acreage of 4,100 ha of rubber in Cambodia this year.
The plan was announced at a conference of the VRG held in Phnom Penh on January 9 to discuss measures to speed up rubber cultivation in Cambodia under an agreement between the two governments.
So far, six companies under the VRG have been allocated over 22,000 ha of land in Cambodia to grow rubber trees.
Of them, Phu Rieng and Tan Binh companies have so far put 270 ha under rubber trees, generating many jobs for local people. However, the companies complained of the costly land reclamation due to poor soil, a lack of skilled workers, materials and machines and hindrances from import procedures.
Participants agreed on several measures to accelerate the planting, including looking for local supply of materials and equipment and training local labourers.
Asia Economy
2008/01/10
Phnom Penh (VNA) – Four subsidiaries of the Viet Nam Rubber Group (VRG) will plant a combined acreage of 4,100 ha of rubber in Cambodia this year.
The plan was announced at a conference of the VRG held in Phnom Penh on January 9 to discuss measures to speed up rubber cultivation in Cambodia under an agreement between the two governments.
So far, six companies under the VRG have been allocated over 22,000 ha of land in Cambodia to grow rubber trees.
Of them, Phu Rieng and Tan Binh companies have so far put 270 ha under rubber trees, generating many jobs for local people. However, the companies complained of the costly land reclamation due to poor soil, a lack of skilled workers, materials and machines and hindrances from import procedures.
Participants agreed on several measures to accelerate the planting, including looking for local supply of materials and equipment and training local labourers.
Thailand considers lending US$41 mn to Cambodia
BANGKOK, Jan 10 (TNA) – Thailand is considering giving financial assistance to the neighbouring country of Cambodia for the development of roads in that country, according to Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanond.
Gen. Surayud on Thursday presided over the first meeting in 2008 of Thailand's committee on neighbouring countries development cooperation at Government House.
He said after the meeting that the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) had earlier proposed many cooperation projects between Thailand and its neighbouring countries including construction of roads and bridges, cargo transportation and arms maintenance projects.
The committee agreed to forge ahead with a plan to lend Bt1.4 billion(US$41 million) to Cambodia to build a 100 km road from the Chongjom border pass in the Thai border province of Surin to Cambodia.
The projects will be submitted to the cabinet for approval at its next meeting, he said. (TNA)-E003
Gen. Surayud on Thursday presided over the first meeting in 2008 of Thailand's committee on neighbouring countries development cooperation at Government House.
He said after the meeting that the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) had earlier proposed many cooperation projects between Thailand and its neighbouring countries including construction of roads and bridges, cargo transportation and arms maintenance projects.
The committee agreed to forge ahead with a plan to lend Bt1.4 billion(US$41 million) to Cambodia to build a 100 km road from the Chongjom border pass in the Thai border province of Surin to Cambodia.
The projects will be submitted to the cabinet for approval at its next meeting, he said. (TNA)-E003
Trabant Team Tackles Two Continents, 320 Breakdowns
The four Trabi travellers who made it to Phnom Penh posed Tuesday with two of their vehicles. From left to right: John Drury, Daniel Murdoch, Lovejoy, and Anthony Perez. 
Trabi drives past the Palace of the Republic, the former seat of the East German parliament, in Berlin in this 2006 file photo. The Trabant, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, is much maligned for its poor construction and shoddy performance -- it is made mostly of plastic, and is capable of a top speed of around 80 kilometers (50 miles) per hour. Nevertheless, Trabis are a pop culture icon in Germany.A team of ambitious young travellers have driven a fleet of three Trabants, the infamous East German autos, from Germany to Phnom Penh as a fundraiser for Cambodian street children. The 16,100 mile journey spanned 21 countries -- and 320 breakdowns.
A team of intrepid young travellers arrived in the Cambodian capital this week to cap off a fundraising campaign that sounds as unlikely as their method of transport -- a fleet of East German-made Trabant cars.
John Lovejoy, a 27 year-old American, came up with the idea to drive Trabis from Europe to Cambodia in 2006 after buying one of the infamous Soviet-era autos in Hungary for $60 (€41). He promoted the so-called "Trabant Trek" as a fundraiser for street children in Cambodia, and set an ambitious goal to raise $300,000 (€204,000).
The four-person team that he led into Phnom Penh Monday piloted three jury-rigged Trabis all the way from Germany. The six-month journey took them 16,100 miles (26,000 kilometers) across 21 countries.
Eight people started the trip last July, but four dropped out along the way as the team struggled to coax the three Trabis -- named Dante's Inferno, Ziggy Stardust, and Fez -- across two continents.
The dauntless travellers endured more than 320 breakdowns. On some days, said Lovejoy, the finicky Trabis would need to be repaired 10 times. Only two of the vehicles made it to Phnom Penh.
Despite being much maligned for their shoddy construction -- the cars are made mostly of plastic and have a top speed of around 80 kilometers (50 miles) per hour -- Trabants are an icon of German popular culture. Trabiphiles celebrated 50 years of the cult car (more...) in 2007 -- the first Trabant rolled off the assembly line in the East German town of Zwickau on Nov. 7, 1957.
Lovejoy's Traban Trek was a fundraiser for two charities, Mith Samlanh and M'Lop Tapang, both of which work with homeless children in Cambodia.
"We're passionate about this cause and knew we'd have to take an unusual spin on traditional fundraising tactics to really get the word out," Lovejoy told the Associated Press. He said the team had raised $16,000 (€10,880) as of Wednesday -- slightly more than 5 percent of the original target.
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