The National Election Day in Cambodia 2013 and Temporary Result

July 28, 2013 was the important day of the fifth national election process in Cambodia. After the unusual movement throughout Cambodia on Saturday to the election center was completed, the vote was done on Sunday from 7:00AM to 3:00PM with the cold weather and raining. One by one came to the center, but there were not many people during 7:00AM; they came to vote later until 3:00PM. Both election committee and voters cooperated very well in most of the election center. However, only some centers encountered the conflict because of the attendance of Vietnamese voters that caused Cambodian residents to get very angry, especially a center in Phnom Penh. There is no clear information yet regarding to this issue why Vietnamese voters appeared in these centers. Even though there was the bad information on the conflict in Phnom Penh, the other election centers completed their mission and got the vote from most of citizens until 3:00PM. Then the election committee in each center along with other stakeholder like COMFREL counted the vote for 8 political parties; only two parties showed the strong support are CPP (Cambodian People Party) and CNRP (Cambodian National Rescue Party). Within the Sangkat and Commune level, there is the tough competition of the vote in each province-city. At last, the temporary result from Bayon TV in the evening of July 28, 2013 showed that the winner is CPP for most of province-city while CNRP won only in 5 province-city such Phnom Penh, Kompong Cham, Kandal, Prey Veng, and Kompong Speu. It should be noticed that CNRP seems to get more support in the residential center than CPP. For instance, CNRP won the election at Sangkat Svay Por of Battambang Town. In short, there will be the real figure for who is the winner after the verification completed and internationally acknowledged as well as the right solution for the current issue occurring during the election process. Anyway, CNRP and CPP will be expected to hold hand for the next mandate since they seem to get similar seat; the political stability and strong economic growth are the things the residents wish for after this election. Personally, there is an appeal for all to use the peaceful method to solve any political conflicts for the benefits of Cambodia. “Please refer to the past experience before you take any actions!”

By: Pok Panhavuth

Special of Mr. Pek Mi and Other Singers from Town and Rock

Khmer Song from 1980s

Khmer Kingdom and Her People

Smile! Smile! Smile! (Friendliness of Khmer People)

Khmer Village Along the River near Wat Phnom in 1866

Cambodia, Kingdom of Wonder, locates in the Indochina Peninsula of the Southeast Asia Area. Nowadays, Cambodia covers the area of 181,035 km² and her border is along with Thailand in the west and north, Laos in the north, Vietnam in the east and southeast, and the Gulf of Thailand in the southwest. Cambodia used to be the most powerful kingdom, “Angkor Kingdom”, in Southeast Asia Region from 9^th to 15^th century that covered all the territory of Cambodia, most of Thailand, Laos, & the South part of Vietnam (Kampuchea Krom); the Gulf of Thailand, some part of Andaman Sea, and some part of South China Sea today. After Angkor era, this Kingdom was also known for her strong power again in Longvek Era, but it was damaged again by Siam (Thai) in 1594. 

Khmer is people for this kingdom. However, today Khmer is separated between the lost and remained territory. Majority of Khmer people are living in their own country “Cambodia”. Anyway, there are also millions of Khmer remain in the former territory of Angkor Kingdom around Cambodia. 

First, millions of Khmer, called “Khmer Sorin”, are living in Southeast territory of Thailand today such as Sorin, Nakhon ratchasima, Chanthaburi, Trat, Rayong, Nakhon Nayok, Srah Keo, Sisaket, Burirum, Yasothon, Oubun rachathani, Roiet, Chonburi, Lopburi, chaiyaphum, Mohasarakam, Amnatcharoen, Saraburi, Nonthaburi, etc. In fact, there are Khmer living in other provinces in Thailand, but they absorbed into Thai people like Sukhothai as example. Actually, Khmer temples remain in such provinces that Khmer are living and some other provinces like Sukhothai, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Sakon Nakhon, Phetchaburi, Lamphon, Kamphaengphet, Phisanulok, Phichit, Singburi, Nakhon Phanom, Ayuthyea, Nakhon Sawan, Uthaithani, Suphanburi, Lampang, Phrae, Samut Songkhram, Nongkhai, Udon thani, Nongbua Lamprio, etc. 

Second, in Laos, there are also Khmer people living in the south provinces, especially in Champasak. The main famous Khmer temple in these provinces is Wat Phu Temple, “the former Khmer capital in Chenla Era”. Obviously, Angkor Kingdom used to control all the territory of Laos today with her strong power. 

Finally, around 8 millions (Statistics in 2009 from Khmer Krom Federation’s Website) of Khmer, called “Khmer Krom”, are living in their own territory under Vietnamese Government’s control in the south of Vietnam. Khmer territory in this area include Mesor, Kuohkaung, Prey Nokor (Hochiminh City today), Peam Banteay Meas, Kromuon Sor, Teuk Khmao (Chroy of Cambodia in the French Map during French Colonial), Moat Chruk, Khleang, Long Hor, Prek Reussey, Kompong Reussey, Ou Kab, Preah Suorkea, Preah Trapeang, Pul Leav, Tuol Tamouk, Kompong Srokatrey (Changva Trapeang), Rong Damrey, Phsa Dek, Svay Taung, Peam Bareach, Chmouh Thmey, most part of Kontum & Dalat Plateau, and other islands, especially two large islands include Koh Tral (in front of Kampot Province of Cambodia today) and Koh Trolach. Furthermore, there are many Khmer Temple through out this territory, but most of them are broken down gradually. However, until now Vietnamese government has changed these entire Khmer name into Vietnamese name instead. 

Additionally, besides these areas, there are also some Khmer people living in the rest of the world after they fled from their homeland during the war such as Khmer Community in USA, Australia, France, Canada, Malaysia, etc. Even though Khmer people are living in different places, they still firmly continue their ancestors’ culture, language, tradition, religion, lifestyle, food, songs & music, etc. Unfortunately, Khmer Krom people are facing the restriction from Vietnamese government in continuing their culture, tradition, religion, language, lifestyle, and education in the pagoda. And one more problem between Vietnamese government and Khmer Krom today is the land conflict caused by the Vietnamese government and Vietnamese people confiscating the land of Khmer Krom for agriculture in some provinces that have continued since the control of Kampuchea Krom by Vietnam in 1949. 

In Short, there is a hope that in the future Khmer people who are living in different places will keep the good relationship with each other to improve the culture of Khmer towards the development of the bright future. Finally, there is just a request to appeal the Vietnamese government not to restrict too much on Khmer Krom in practice what they want because Khmer Krom people need only high living standard, development, and peace as Vietnamese people.

By: POK Panhavuth

Potentials of Battambang Province for Eco-tourism & Investment

Battambang Province is an attractive one among other potential area in Cambodia which is locally known as the famous rice producer because the good climate and fertilized soils allow for producing million tons of rice every year. There are a lot of rice mills in this province, which are putting into operations to meet both local demand and overseas exports. According to General Population Census of Cambodia 2008, Battambang Province covers areas of 11,702 square kilometer with the population of 1,024,663 people. If we compare density in 1998 with 2008, it increases the density from 68 people to 88 people per square kilometer. Specifically, Human Resource in Battambang is believed to be strong in many skills like business skill, computer skill, communication skill, interpersonal skill, foreign language, and other specialty. Certainly, it is the golden opportunity for the investors, who are interested in agricultural investment on rice in Battambang.

Furthermore, there is the huge rich alluvial for agriculture and industrialize crops, and natural resorts for ecotourism. Not only rice produce, but also other crops such as orange, grape, cotton, palm tree, coconut, cassava, corn, bean, etc. Many crops is describes at the moments can also be exported to foreign country and used in food and light industry. About the chance to develop Tourism Company in Battambang, it is sure that if you make decision to invest for tourism sector, you will succeed 100% with many natural and cultural resorts in Battambang. For example, Prek Tal resorts (The Paradise of Birds), Phnom Sampov, Phnom Banan (Banan Temple), Sek Sork River Resorts, Ek Phnom Temple, Kamping Puoy Lake, Popos Pechinda River Resort, Chamlong Kuoy River Resort and another beautiful natural resorts which is not opened yet. Especially, most of these resorts are along the national road number 57A, it is sure that travelling will be easy and comfortable for investor and tourist to visit that area which is the most eye-catching one in Battambang. By these factors, Battambang will become the most interesting destination for both investment and ecotourism.

In conclusion, it is suggested that all the investors and tourists (both national and international) should choose Battambang to be invested and visited with the potential land and beautiful scenes of this province.

By: POK Panhavuth