Phnom Penh (Ah!) Travel Tips - Faces & Places - An Exercise In Democracy - May 2005

DJ Ken/National Radio Text Service

Elizabeth Becker was the guest April 18th at Pannasastra University of Cambodia's South Campus. She is an award winning author of the book "When The War Was Over: Cambodia and the Khmer Rouge Revolution." - Having Quality Time Is A Job In Phnom Penh

Monday May 2, 2005

AN EXERCISE IN DEMOCRACY

Travelers keep asking where to go and what is there to see in Phnom Penh? The answer remains the same… not too much.

After a visit to the Royal Palace it goes downhill from there. The Royal Palace is a must see as well as the Silver Pagoda. The National Museum is next door.

The Toul Sleng prison museum is a must but grim. The human skull ma is gone but the pictures remain of those people beaten, raped, tortured and killed.

Walking through the corridors is something you won't forget. Sad but true to many in the world this image is Cambodia's everlasting.

The Killing Fields is a trip worth taking simply because you've been there and done that. There's not much to see.

That leaves what to do in Phnom Penh after you've seen that. The answer could be attending a meeting of the Distinguished Speakers Series with a guest speaker relating to an audience of Cambodian students, NGO types and educators. The author of the Lonely Planet's Cambodia book Nick Ray was there simply for something to do in PP.

Elizabeth Becker was the guest April 18th at Pannasastra University of Cambodia's South Campus. She is an award winning author of the book "When The War Was Over: Cambodia and the Khmer Rouge Revolution."

Becker is currently a journalist with the New Your Times. She was previously with the Washington Post. Becker also served as the Senior Foreign Editor for NPR (National Public Radio) in the US. She has 25 years of experience covering Cambodia.

Becker recalled here experiences when as a journalist based in Cambodia during the early 70's. She noted that during the Lon Nol regime government troops were selling weapons to the Khmer Rouge, their enemy. The weapons were paid for with US money.

Regarding corruption Becker said that if you can get away with murder (in Cambodia) that you can get away with corruption.

After a number of years away from Cambodia Becker noticed the excessive wealth some people have driving around in big cars. It made her think to herself, "When you come to this country and see all of the wealth and all of the poverty you say was all of this suffering for this?"

Becker continued to relate stories and experiences. Her talk was an exercise in democracy to say and express yourself without reprisal.

She seemed to inspire courage to the Khmer listeners prompting them to ask questions and express their opinions. This type of reaction and a group expressing themselves is hard to find in Cambodia.

The audience responded strongly with challenges for Becker regarding the US involvement in the Vietnam/American War.

The audience seemed so inspired they opened up and expressed themselves on a number of issues. It was the strongest audience response that I've ever seen in my seven years in Cambodia.

Some of the attendees lived and experienced the Killing Fields. The loss of lives in a family is more so probably than not a given.

If you want to enrich your traveling experience to Cambodia this is a good way to go. Meet the people.

The Cambodia Daily has the ads and information.

If you're a sport fan Phnom Penh now has some choices. The newly reformed Cambodia Football League plays two games Saturday and Sunday at the Olympic Stadium.

The stadium is located in a central area where Sihanouk Boulevard crosses Monireth/Charles De Gaulle Boulevard. Game times are 2pm and 4pm. Admission is free.

BOXING

Kick boxing events are held at television stations CTN, TV 5 and TV 3. Admission is usually free.