The New Cambodia Comes To The World's Attention: Thai Opinion

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EDITORIAL

The new Cambodia comes to the world's attention

The Nation

Thailand's neighbour has transformed from war-ravaged basket case to potential 'tiger' in two decades, but new legislation on NGOs could undo much of the good work

Cambodia has progressed rapidly since the UN-brokered peace deal twenty years ago. It has moved on from being a war-torn country to one that is being described as the next Asian "tiger", with near two-digit economic growth. Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has been in power for three decades, wants to turn his country into a hub of economic transactions in the region, bringing back the glory days for Cambodia. Today, the streets of Phnom Penh are packed with investors and expensive new cars. Skyscrapers are now beginning to dot the city. Tourists are crowding into the ancient temple complex of Angkor Wat. The country is now preparing to be the Asean chair next year. Phnom Penh already has a long list of what it wants to achieve.

Despite all the good things that are happening in Cambodia, Hun Sen is moving quickly to counter the proliferation of non-governmental organisations. Since the 1990s, Cambodian civil society groups have done jobs that the government has not paid enough attention to. They have supplemented the existing government programmes and actions regarding the alleviation of poverty, the promotion of education, and in helping the poor to fight for their land rights. Other active groups are focused on the protection of the environment and human rights - both areas of concern in Cambodia.

The most controversial issue today in Cambodia is the pending draft legislation on non-governmental organisations, which donor organisations and recipients say would limit their ability to do good work. The United Nations Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Cambodia, Surya Subedi, says the law should be carefully reviewed and, as it stands, "may hamper the legitimate work of NGOs in the country".

In addition, he has expressed concern about the lack of progress on land rights and freedom of speech in the country. In the past few years, large tracts of land have been allotted to industrial investment companies, causing trouble for poor people who have no land to live on or farm. The government has provided new land for them, but this is either not sufficient or of poor quality.

Just a few days ago, the Cambodian Ministry of Information shut down 16 newspapers, 15 magazines and six bulletins. It was the biggest media gag operation in the history of Cambodia. However, one positive thing is that Cambodia is highly tolerant of the foreign-language newspapers - English, Chinese and French. The Phnom Penh Post, which is 100 per cent foreign-owned, has so far reported straightforward news without any government intervention. Increasingly, local Chinese newspapers are making their voices heard.

After Cambodia's chairmanship of Asean next year, the country will seek to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Asean countries have already backed its bid. There will be more activities both from the government and civil society groups, which want to see more programmes to help the poor and promote human rights. At the moment, Hun Sen is focusing more on the home front because he wants to make sure that he leaves a good legacy for Cambodia. Next year, Cambodia will hold an election, which his Cambodia Party is expected to win. His continued leadership is virtually secured.

-- The Nation 2011-10-05

[Buchholz]

Hun Sen is focusing more on the home front because he wants to make sure that he leaves a good legacy for Cambodia.

Which entails having his rapidly-promoted Army General son, Hun Men, take over and run it as a personal conquest and like his father, do so for 30 years.

http://khdoc.blogspot.com/2011/01/pms-son-hun-manet-faces-reform.html

[ikis]

khmer people are friendly and the country is nice. it hasn't been spoilt with tourism like thailand and not everybody sees you as a walking atm like in thailand.

it seems that many people who want to live in thailand, but thailand refuses to give 'em visas, will move to cambodia. oh, and their money goes there also. miracle.

[nikster]

However, as long as the dictator remains in power, and there is no democracy, they'll not evolve. Hun Sen has already proven he isn't a good enough dictator to pull a China. The corrupt system of cronyism in Cambo is going to be its downfall.

Read the Khmer Riche article for insight into how things really work there. Thailand can rightfully point at them and say "look, it's much worse over there", and be right about it.

Edited October 7, 2011 by Lite Beer

[RedNIvar]

Yet, they have 3G and most Cambodians speak more than 1 language. Huh!

[geriatrickid]

Is cambodia becoming a Chinese proxy state?

[Awohalitsiktoli]

The rate of economic growth in Cambodia over the past 12 years has been amazing and actually exceeded China's at one point. The people are, in general, friendly. Parts of PP and SNVL are now very clean and modern-looking. A big plus is that foreigners can own 100% of businesses and the govt. does not pester foreigners with endless visa rule changes. Cambodia has a "we want you" feel to it. I see nothing but good things ahead for the country. One positive would be to get rid of way too many corrupt NGOs. Some are going good thing; most are in it for the money.

[MaxYakov]

Yet, they have 3G and most Cambodians speak more than 1 language. Huh!

Multi-lingual hackers, you're saying?

[MaxYakov]

Just a few days ago, the Cambodian Ministry of Information shut down 16 newspapers, 15 magazines and six bulletins. It was the biggest media gag operation in the history of Cambodia.

And the Cambodia Party is predicted to win the election because ...?

[sirchai]

How can anybody blame a whole country for what it is now? Pnom Phen was the most developed city in Indochina about 40 years ago. Please refresh your history knowledge what happened with Pol Pot then...............................

[sirchai]

.....Without the billions in aid paid by US taxpayers since the 1960s, especially to lease LOS for staging bombing runs and hosting R&R trips during the Vietnam War era.

Well said. Many airports like the one in Ubon Ratchathani wouldn't even exist. No F16's would fly around there and all the 'friendship' bridges would not exist. A research about eight years ago had shown that Burma is 40 years behind Thailand. LOS would be the same without foreigners bringing huge amounts of money....

[Dag]

Cambodian people - male and female - are generally of a 'softer' disposition than their Thai neighbours.

Khmer Rouge

[freebyrd]

Everywhere is what you make it. I lived in Thailand for years, also Vietnam, the Philippines and now Cambodia.

Considering what the country has been through it's hardly surprising that it has fallen behind. In Thailand I had to learn Thai to converse with Thais that worked for me. Not so in Vietnam, the Philippines and here and I'm not working at the 'high' end. I did for 3 years and now work for a very small Cambodian company where most speak some English and most work hard and are certainly not stupid. Cambodia will indeed compete with Thailand eventually, although probably not in my lifetime because of all the years they lost.

There will inevitably be lazy individuals wherever you go, including Caucasians in Thailand, the UK and many other places.

[Atoosa07]

I wouldn't say lazy they are hard working ppl and are applying their trade throughout Thailand construction fields you only need to look at Koh chang all hotels and building sites are Cambodian laborers

[Payboy]

Prime Minister Hun Sen

Sounds familiar..

[Lite Beer]

A racist post and numerous replies have been deleted or edited.

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