Cambodia: This Day in History

29th January, 2003

The rumour that popular Thai Actress 'Kob' (real name Suvanant Kongying, seen above) had claimed Angkor Wat belonged to Thailand and that the Khmer people were 'like worms' quickly spread across Phnom Penh.

Enraged residents of the city set alight seventeen Thai-owned businesses and then set their sights on the Thai embassy.

Thai diplomatic officials fled out the back way and were spirited away by local slum-dwellers while Cambodian police stood, watched, and did nothing.

More than 700 Thais hot-footed it out of the capital and the land borders between the two countries were closed to Thai and Cambodian nationals.

Total damages came to a total of more than US$50 million. International condemnation of the Cambodian government- the US said that they were 'irresponsible," "incompetent" and guilty of "nationalistic rhetoric"- forced Cambodian Prime Minister to agree to pay the Thai government compensation for the damage to the embassy and to negotiate damages payments with the business owners.


Not a credible shred of evidence was ever offered that showed that Kob had insulted the Khmer people in any way.

'Teacher, Book No Have'

This post is a reprise from more than 2 years ago.

My Cambodian students are much more studious that the ones I taught in Thailand. They don't have the same sense of fun as the Thai-and I miss that- but I've never had the experience below, or anything like it, at my Cambodian school. And I don't miss that.

Bang Na, Bangkok, Thailand, 2009

"Please open your books to page 16," I ask my class.

No one stirs.

"Open your books, please," I say slowly.

46 students and yet not one reaches for a book.

"Where is your book?" I ask one student.

"Teacher, book no have."

"Why?" I ask.

A blank face stares back at me

"Where is your book?" I try again.

"No have, teacher."

"Is it at home?"

"Yes, teacher, book at my home," she answers, unfazed.

"How many of you have your books, raise your hands, please?" I ask, already dreading the answer.

Not one hand is raised.

"How many of you have left your books at home?" I question.

Forty-five hands enthusiastically reach skyward.

"And you?" I ask the lone girl who hasn't put her hand up. "Did you bring your book?

"Yes, teacher, book have," she replies unsure of whether she should be pleased or disappointed with herself.

"How can you study without your books," I ask.

No answer.

"How can you study?" I try again.

"Teacher, book have next week," one sixteen year-old answers brightly.

"Yes, next week," the rest of the class chorus.

"Are you sure?" I question, doubtfully.

"Sure, sure, teacher. Next week, book have," they call pleased that they have surely solved my problem.

"OK, " I answer while my mind races to think of something to teach for the next fifty minutes.

"Next week, sure."

Snoop Dog?

Cambodian Arm Arrested 4 Thais and a Dog spy                                                                                 Cambodian Arm yesterday arrested 4 Thai and a dog spy, Cambodian Express News report. There are 2 Cambodian men who transformed themselves as a beggar and went to Cambodian military bases along the dispute sides and the other 2 Thai ladies who transform themselves as a crazy but they wear ring with automatic cameras and a dog with camera as well.

~News Report (Mistakes and all)

Stupid Warfare Superstitions Continue

Cambodia 1970



'Magic' tattoos have long been considered by Thai and Cambodians
to offer battleground protection

 '...he issued a decree calling for an 'organization for cultural warfare employing traditional Mon-KhmerVethamon" (occult practices) within the army's mobilization bureau. Chief among its activities was to publish a list of practices recommended for soldiers:
 "Cutting of the skin in order to allow the Buddha to enter the body and bring strength...fabrication of clothing with inscriptions giving strength to the person wearing it...

The soldiers wore magic scarves. They sucked holy amulets before going into battle. They hung images of Buddha, horoscopes wrapped in metal, and other talismans around their necks...'

So wrote Elizabeth Becker, in her fine book, When the War Was Over, about Cambodian Prime Minister Lon Nol's attempt to save his troops from death in the battlefield.

Thailand 2011

Si Sa Ket : The Thai army believes it needs the help of talismans to protect itself from Cambodian soldiers.
The chief of the 2nd Army Friday distributed talismans to his troops to help protect them from evil curses which he believes Cambodians are likely to call upon in their fight over disputed border areas.
As a result, soldiers guarding the border with Cambodia are now equipped with arms, life-saving kits - and talismans.

Second Army chief Thawatchai Samutsakhon issued assorted talismans to soldiers stationed at the disputed border area near the Preah Vihear temple in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district to ward off Khmer curses.

"I believe in this and I have to take care of my subordinates in every possible way," Lt Gen Thawatchai said.

~Bangkok Post

Many Thai soldiers believe that amulets such as the one
 above will protect them from bombs and bullets.

Stupid superstitions which cause people to be killed just will not go away.

Such advice from the top is, unfortunately, all too often lapped up by the lower-ranks on both sides of the conflict. It is not a magic medal that will save these men and boys- but negotiations might.