Night Swirls in Sydney

Leaving Cambodia

Over Svay Rieng province in eastern Cambodia, just before the border with Vietnam.

Lakeside Kids

While on my usual pilgrimage to Boeung Kak district in Phnom Penh, I ran into these awesome kids who were very keen to have their photos taken.

The ‘ringleader’ was an older boy named Dara, who essentially took the above shots of his friends (which is to say that I held the camera and he looked through the viewfinder, aimed the camera as he wanted, he counted to three in Khmer, “mouy, pii, bey!”, and I hit the shutter release). Hence, the credits for these shots are his.

Dara’s English was excellent too, especially for a boy under ten years old. Even though I worked the camera for him, he composed the shots and knew when he wanted the capture. I was impressed with what came out.

Cambodia’s opposition party threatens more protests

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA – It’s been just over a week since Cambodians cast their vote in the national election, and a definitive result remains elusive.

Both the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) and the opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) have claimed victory, and both parties have said that they welcome an investigation into allegations of irregularities at polling stations such as people not able to find their names on the electoral roll, or being told that they had already voted.

While the CPP says it is happy for an investigation to take place, it is refusing to go along with the CNRP’s insistence that the United Nations be a part of the investigative process.

Deputy Prime Minister Sar Kheng has said that involving the UN would be a violation of Cambodian law.

Meanwhile, the CNRP held a rally in Freedom Park in Phnom Penh on Tuesday to thank its supporters and let them know the party will continue to fight for change in Cambodia. Despite rumours of a police crackdown, several thousand people gathered to hear CNRP president Sam Rainsy and party deputy leader Kem Sokha speak. Police presence was very small, and the rally remained incident-free.

A Cambodian National Rescue Party supporter showing cards printed with the party’s logo and photograph of Kem Sokha and Sam Rainsy.

One of thousands of CNRP supporters in Freedom Park.

CNRP president Sam Rainsy addressing the crowd in Freedom Park.

CNRP deputy leader Kem Sokha takes to the microphone at the Freedom Park rally.

Part of the thousands-strong crowd gathered in Freedom Park.

CNRP MP Mu Sochua greeting the crowd towards the end of the rally.

A CNRP supporter in high spirits during the rally.

 

Memento Mori

In January 2013 a memorial stele honouring journalists and war correspondents who were killed during the Cambodian civil war was unveiled in the park in front of Hotel le Royal in Phnom Penh. The hotel was home to most of the foreign journalists covering the war which lasted from 1970 until 1975.

Thirty seven journalists from twelve different countries perished during the five years of civil war which preceded the rule of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia.

Let The Battle Begin

Out and About in Phnom Penh