Too Many Tourists a Concern in Cambodian ‘Killing Fields’

[geovalin]

The number of tourists visiting Cambodia’s genocide sites has more than tripled during the last 10 years, raising concerns that commercialism is compromising efforts to preserve memorials for 2 million people who perished here under Pol Pot and his Khmer Rouge.

 

Chhour Sokty, director at Choeung Ek, the best known of the sites commonly called The Killing Fields, said visitor numbers had leaped to as many as 800 a day since he began working here 11 years ago, with media promotions leading to increased numbers of tourists, who are helped by vastly improved roads and amenities like public toilets.

 

“I was in charge here in 2005 when there were only about 100 to 200, or a maximum 300 visitors per day. But now it is about 700 to 800 per day during high season,” he said.

Watch: Tourism at Cambodia's Genocide Sites Raise Concern

(...)

 

Currently two former leaders, Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan, are on trial for genocide, while further cases involving lower ranking cadre are pending and could last another five years.

A quiet debate over what to do with the remains of so many people once the tribunal is finished persists. Many people believe the bones should be cremated according to Buddhist tradition, while others say the sites should be kept as they are.

 

“It’s our memory, it should be preserved the way it is; historically and with respect to our culture, rather than try to create something to attract tourists that’s leading to commercializing the memory, which is something that you do not want to do,” Youk Chhang said.

 

New and improved

DC-Cam has backed a proposed genocide center, the Sleuk Rith Institute, a $40 million construction of five towers in Phnom Penh, rising out of a surrounding forest and designed by London-based Zaha Hadid Architects.

It will become the permanent home of the largest collection of genocide-related material in Southeast Asia, archived by DC-Cam.

That would complement the original sites where atrocities were committed.

 

Youk Chhang said the raw, original state of the prison, when it boasted a large wall map of Cambodia made of human skulls, was far more profound than the current day experience.

“You know in the ’80s or in the ’90s it is as it is, it’s extremely powerful, very effective. And that itself also creates a feeling … it forces people to show some respect, because it is so original,” he said.

 

S-21 and Choeung Ek have been rebranded as museums, but Youk Chhang said facilities need to be improved further, and that might include a guest book in each room at S-21, or a white board and a space where people can think and write about their experiences.

But any change would be limited and any major work delayed until after the Khmer Rouge Tribunal has finished its work.

 

Youk Chhang’s sentiments were echoed by Khoeun Somrach, a middle-aged tuk-tuk driver who works from S-21 and first came here in 1980 when the floors were still covered in blood and the remains of those tortured to death inside the camp were scattered between class rooms.

 

“Before, it was really quiet, we only had nationals coming to visit but now there are many foreigners,” he said, adding the grounds around S-21 need an upgrade. “We should preserve the evidence but the place needs to be cleaned.”

Luke Hunt contributed to this report.

 

read more https://www.voanews.com/a/cambodia-killing-fields-tourists/3790526.html

 

 

-- © Copyright VOA 03/04

 

[darksidedog]

I have been to S-21 in Phnom Penh and it is the most harrowing place I have ever visited.

You could see, just by looking at visitors faces who was waiting to go in and who had just come out.

I didn't go to the Killing Fields, as I had seen enough. Such brutality, even to small kids shocked me to the core.

No one should ever forget what happened under Pol Pot.

Whatever is decided upon, these people deserve a worthy memorial place.

[Emster23]

I went to Cheoung Ek back in 97, and was alone on a sunny day. Couldn't help but think "there were lovely days like this when people died....".

S-21 was awful and sobering. I had the thought "It doesn't take much to convert a high school into a torture center" (I was high school teacher at the time).

 Surely there are more killing fields sites not too far from PP. How about opening some others for tourists? I'm sure there some idiot tourists who smile, make V sign and shoot stupid selfies, but I would hope most would be respectful. Maybe set up a center and show a short film about the Khmer Rouge before allowing tourists onto the grounds.

[Dumbastheycome]

Sad  that  a National  Memorial  site  has  become  vogue  for  foriegn  tourists.  Perhaps  a more relevant "attraction" not so far away would

 be the My Lai Massacre site in Vietnam to give  some  fuller perspective  on human atrocity.

[Colabamumbai]

The entire country was a killing field.

[Dumbastheycome]

13 hours ago, Colabamumbai said:

The entire country was a killing field.

Who actually   made it so?

[Colabamumbai]

Who made it so? The War in Vietnam, the Khymer Rouge, the present government, and on it goes.

[canuckamuck]

800 people a day? Those kinds of numbers would close most tourist locations for lack of interest.

 

[louse1953]

On 03/04/2017 at 2:41 PM, darksidedog said:

I have been to S-21 in Phnom Penh and it is the most harrowing place I have ever visited.

You could see, just by looking at visitors faces who was waiting to go in and who had just come out.

I didn't go to the Killing Fields, as I had seen enough. Such brutality, even to small kids shocked me to the core.

No one should ever forget what happened under Pol Pot.

Whatever is decided upon, these people deserve a worthy memorial place.

My missus wanted to go to the resturant opp for lunch.1st time in my life,i wasn't hungry.I came to Thailand 1st time in 76 and to think this horrible tortue was going on next.I didn't know anything about it.

Edited April 10, 2017 by louse1953

[kunfish]

Why not just go to YouTube for the 1,000,000 videos others have already done on this place.


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[kunfish]

Who actually   made it so?

US bombings?


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[Dumbastheycome]

2 hours ago, kunfish said:

US bombings?


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At whose  request?