Tourism Indochina: Welcome to Banteay Chhmar Temple

Tourism Indochina: Welcome to Banteay Chhmar Temple

Banteay Chhmar​ (Khmer: បន្ទាយឆ្មារ) is a commune (khum) in Thma Puok District in Banteay Meanchey province in northwest Cambodia. It is located 63 km north of Sisophon and about 20 km east of the Thai border. The commune of Banteay Chhmar contains 14 villages. The massive temple of Banteay Chhmar, along with its satellite shrines and reservoir (baray), comprises one of the most important and least understood archaeological complexes from Cambodia's Angkor period.

Like Angkor Thom, the temple of Banteay Chhmar was accomplished during the reign of Jayavarman VII in the late 12th or early 13th century. One of the temple's shrines once held an image of Srindrakumara rajaputra (the crown prince), probably a son of Jayavarman VII. The long Old Khmer inscription found at the site (K.227), and now on display in the National Museum, Phnom Penh, relates how this prince or a king (samtac) was protected on two different occasions by four royal servants, all of whom lost their lives in his defense. The inscription lists the names of these officials and informs us that their respective images were once placed in the four corners of the shrine.

The complex resembles Angkor Thom and other structures attributed to Jayavarman VII. It is one of two sites outside Angkor with the enigmatic face-towers. Besides that, its outer gallery is carved with bas-reliefs depicting military engagements and daily life scenes very similar to the well-known ones in Bayon.

The complex is oriented to the east, where there's a dried baray (about 1.6 by 0.8 km), which had a temple on an artificial island (mebon) in its centre. There are three enclosures, as typical. The external one, largely ruined, was 1.9 by 1.7 km and surrounded by a moat. The middle enclosure, provided with a moat too, is 850 by 800 m. It contains the main temple, surrounded by a gallery with reliefs 250 by 200&nbps;m which constitutes the third inner enclosure.

Besides the main temple and the mebon there are other eight secondary temples. Four stelae detailing Jayavarman VII's genealogy were placed (though they remain unfinished) at each of the four corners of the third enclosure wall, mirroring the stelae that occupied the four corner-shrines (Prasat Chrung) of the king's capital at Angkor Thom.

Preservation of Banteay Chhmar is currently being led by Global Heritage Fund, a non-profit organization based in California. The organization's efforts thus far have included training a local Khmer team to conserve the sandstone bas-reliefs of the temple complex. Ultimately, GHF seeks to conserve the largely collapsed temple complex as a ruin "with low-impact, safe visitor access via suspended cable platforms over the fallen structures, along with selective interventions for high-risk structures, bas-reliefs and towers." GHF is also assisting the Cambodian government with the UNESCO World Heritage Site nomination and inscription process.


Banteay Chhmar is The potential Community Based Tourism Site in Cambodia:

Located in the northwestern of Cambodia and in Banteay Meanchey Province, Banteay Chhmar consists a XII century Angkorean Temple Complex. It is now renovated by the Global Heritage Fund. It is also contains the both Baray- rectangular water reservoirs- from the ancient times and from the Pol Pot era.

Indeed, supporting tourism means supporting economic. As tourism is considered to be a significant tool for poverty mitigation, the site is developed under the theme of Community Based Tourism. Banteay Chhmar is identified as the potential for community based tourism (CBT) in sustainable way that can help enhance local livelihood to a better condition while the three dimensions of social, economical and environmental aspects are taken into account.

Visitors can explore the historical site and enjoy a wide range of community based tourism activities. You can taste the food prepared by the local women, do picnic in the temple compound, spend a night in traditional wooden home stay and visit the Mekong Silk center to experience the process of gaining silk product and consequently be able to purchase the local product. To get deeply exploration, you can also visit the hidden satellite temples around Banteay Chhmar which is the unique experience that not many people have had. Generally, it is possible to access but only by walking. Those satellite temples are:

1. Chenh Choem Trey Temple (Raising Fish): a temple from the 12th century, located on a small hill with a small pond in the wet season.
2. Yeay Korm Temple: a small and much damaged temple where it is estimated that about 80 % is ruined.
3. West Samnang Ta Sok Temple: a temple that lies inside a forest on a mountain.
4. East Samnang Ta Sok Temple: a temple that resembles the main temple.
5. Ta Prum Temple and Balang Temple: Ta Prum temple is a beautifully restored temple that is surrounded by a mote. The ruins of the temple Balang is located nearby.
6. Me Bun Temple: a ruined temple with loose rocks but well visited by the local villagers.
7. Yeay Chour Temple: a much damaged temple that is not very clean and has many people living nearby.
8. Ta Em Temple (Sweet Man): a small temple where people live just besides.

The roads leading to the temples are small ancient roads which are in bad condition and some of the temples do not even have roads connected to them. Both CBT members and tourists wish to improve the access to the satellite temples. Your involvement and participation in the community based tourism will help economically contribute to the community physical infrastructure improvement.

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Tourism Indochina: Cambodia Visual Art and Circus Performance

Tourism Indochina: Cambodia Visual Art and Circus Performance

The culture of Cambodia has had a rich and varied history dating back many centuries, and has been heavily influenced by India. Throughout Cambodia's long history, a major source of inspiration was from religion. Throughout nearly two millennia, Cambodians developed a unique Khmer belief from the syncreticism of indigenous animistic beliefs and the Indian religions of Buddhism and Hinduism. Indian culture and civilization, including its language and arts reached mainland Southeast Asia around the 1st century AD. It is generally believed that seafaring merchants brought Indian customs and culture to ports along the Gulf of Thailand and the Pacific while trading with China. The first state to benefit from this was Funan.

The history of visual arts in Cambodia stretches back centuries to ancient crafts; Khmer art reached its peak during the Angkor period. Traditional Cambodian arts and crafts include textiles, non-textile weaving, silversmithing, stone carving, lacquerware, ceramics, wat murals, and kite-making. Beginning in the mid-20th century, a tradition of modern art began in Cambodia, though in the later 20th century both traditional and modern arts declined for several reasons, including the killing of artists by the Khmer Rouge. The country has experienced a recent artistic revival due to increased support from governments, NGOs, and foreign tourists.

Battambang (Khmer: បាត់ដំបង) is a province in northwestern Cambodia. It is bordered to the North with Banteay Meanchey, to the West with Thailand, and to the East and South with Pursat. The capital of the province is the city of Battambang. The name, meaning 'lost staff', refers to the legend of Preah Bat Dambang Kranhoung. Battambang is one of the nine provinces that is part of the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve. The Battambang Provincial Service of Culture and Fine Arts is a local government agency, responsible for providing information and directives on culture and fine arts from central government, to issuing performing permits to registered arts organisations in the province. It is responsible both to the provincial government on administrative and operational matters and to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts in Phnom Penh on cultural matters.

Tourism Indochina: Cambodia Visual Art and Circus Performance:
(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2009-12-11): Are you interested in Visual art and Circus Performance? If you are interested in these do not miss your opportunity to visit Phare Ponle Selpark, meaning “The Brightness of Art” in Battambang. There, you can find something special related to visual Art and performance. Phare Ponle Selpak is a social cultural center which is best known for its circus school, providing alternative program, keeping them safe. This school trains children and teenagers that come from difficult social background, which began in 1986 as a way to help young refugees overcome the trauma of war. This center offers a wide range of socio-cultural activities. Visitors can watch classes and lessons provided by the three artistic vocational training schools: performing arts like circus and theatre, visual art such as drawing painting, computer design an illustration and cartoon animation and modern and traditional music. The traveler can also participate in a drawing workshop in the rice fields around Battambang. Now PPS troupes perform annually throughout Asia, Europe, Africa and Australia and gather troupes from all over the world for the annual International Circus Festival, “Tini Tinou”, help in Battambang and Phnom Penh. The center provides weekly regular performance show on every Thursday of the week with ticket fee of 8 USD fohttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifr adult foreigner and 4 USD for the youngsters. Interesting in exploring Cambodia’s visual art, you can join and enlighten Cambodia Visual Art and Performance at Phare Ponle Selpak (PPS). A meal can be enjoyed at the onsite restaurant, with everything being prepared and served by members of the community. If staying for more than one day, tourists can enjoy being hosted by a Cambodian family for the night.

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Tourism Indochina: Review The Water Festival in Cambodia 2007

The Cambodian Water Festival (variously spelled in the original Khmer as Bon Om Touk, or Bon Om Thook, or Bonn Om Teuk, or Bon Om Tuk) takes place once a year, on the full moon of the Buddhist month of Kadeuk (usually in November). It celebrates a major natural occurrence: the reversing flow between the Tonle Sap and the Mekong River.

For most of the year, the Tonle Sap empties into the Mekong River. However, when the rainy season arrives in June, the Mekong rises, reversing the flow to dump water into the lake, increasing its size ten-fold. When the rainy season ends in November, the Mekong drops once more, allowing the current to reverse again, emptying the excess waters of Tonle Sap back into the Mekong.

This natural occurrence is celebrated in Cambodia with three days of festivals, fluvial parades, boat races, fireworks, and general merriment.

The Water Festival in Cambodia 2007:

Tourist is welcomed to visit Water Festival in Cambodia ( 23 – 25 Nov 2007 )

On the occasion of the Water Festival to be held from 23-25 Nov 2007, Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia, in collaboration with the National Committee for National and International Festivals, will organize the ASEAN-Cambodia Traditional Boat Race, to be participated by all ASEAN Member countries.


The above significant events would be a great opportunity for travelers to enjoy with the local national events, at night there will be people can see loo carton floating along the Basac River. There are variety of loo carton from different provinces, ministries, and companies. The Water Festival is also one part to strengthen the cooperation among all participating countries intern of culture, sport and tourism.


The complimentary seats will be available Free of Charge (FOC) for all foreign visitors, international guests and NGO delegates at the Ministry of Tourism's pavilion located at the north of the VIP pavilion. For this Free of Charge Seats will be provided to any CATA members who have foreign visitors, please kindly send the name list of participants (visitors) with Date and Time to our email either you visit our country individually or through other travel agent. All names list will be submitted to Minister of Ministry of Tourism (MOT). The Deadline for you will be made before 21Nov 2007.

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Tourism Indochina: Cambodia Water Festival 2008

Tourism Indochina: Cambodia Water Festival 2008

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-11-06):

Phnom Penh, a capital city of Cambodia, is now ready to host the upcoming water festival, which bring a brilliant of colorful boat racers to the audiences and visualize the braveness of Angkorian Navy in water battle field during the great Khmer Empire. This festival will offer a great significance of its attractiveness particularly to the domestic tourist.

The Water Festival or “Bun Om Tuk” in Khmer is a mega- event of the year which will be annually celebrated in Phnom Penh. This festival is celebrated at the end of the rainy season, the start of fishing season and when the changing of direction of the Tonle Sap’s flowing- a unique natural phenomenon- and it coincides with the full moon, traditionally bountiful harvest of agriculture.

The Water Festival represents the powerful of the Navy of the King Jayavaraman VII that could defeat over the Cham invasion. The Festival not also remind the powerful of Navy of the great Angkorian Empire but also to religiously make the god of the river happy so as that he will provide more fish and the rice crop will be plentiful. So what will happen in Phnom Penh during the Water festival?

The upcoming mega-event will be held from 11 to 13 November in Phnom Penh. The selected boat racers from provincial town will meet each other to celebrate a three-day boat competition which composes of 395 registered boats. The festival provides a unique landscape of the year. Thousands of spectators move to capital city and make Phnom Penh a carnival atmosphere. With the carnival atmosphere, many business companies take this golden opportunity to hit the sale target and make a mass marketing campaign.

During this occasion, a wide variety of creational activities is taken place in line along the river side such as a muti-product exhibition, hundred of food stands with DJ live show, live concert, and night of firework-sparking the sky to light up- game of chance, decorated light boat and other initiative entertainment activities which make the festival marvelous.


By CHHEM Samnang

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Phare Ponle Selpak: Social Cultural Center for Visual Art and Circus Performance in Battambang, Cambodia

Phare Ponle Selpak: Social Cultural Center for Visual Art and Circus Performance in Battambang, Cambodia

Are you interested in Visual art and Circus Performance? If you are interested in these do not miss your opportunity to visit Phare Ponle Selpark, meaning “The Brightness of Art” in Battambang.

There, you can find something special related to visual Art and performance. Phare Ponle Selpak is a social cultural center which is best known for its circus school, providing alternative program, keeping them safe. This school trains children and teenagers that come from difficult social background, which began in 1986 as a way to help young refugees overcome the trauma of war. This center offers a wide range of socio-cultural activities. Visitors can watch classes and lessons provided by the three artistic vocational training schools: performing arts like circus and theatre, visual art such as drawing painting, computer design an illustration and cartoon animation and modern and traditional music. The traveler can also participate in a drawing workshop in the rice fields around Battambang. Now PPS troupes perform annually throughout Asia, Europe, Africa and Australia and gather troupes from all over the world for the annual International Circus Festival, “Tini Tinou”, help in Battambang and Phnom Penh. The center provides weekly regular performance show on every Thursday of the week with ticket fee of 8 USD for adult foreigner and 4 USD for the youngsters.

Interesting in exploring Cambodia’s visual art, you can join and enlighten Cambodia Visual Art and Performance at Phare Ponle Selpak (PPS). A meal can be enjoyed at the onsite restaurant, with everything being prepared and served by members of the community. If staying for more than one day, tourists can enjoy being hosted by a Cambodian family for the night.

Cambodia tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/cambodia/tours/
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Will there a wall around Preah Vihear Temple

According to reports from some agencies in Phnom Penh, Cambodia is planning to build a "Berlin-style" wall to shut-off Thailand and develop tourist facilities around the still disputed Preah Vihear Temple by its own.

The Cambodian government will build a series of walls at "complicated border areas," while still calling for talks to mark and properly demarcate the frontier, Camdodian Information Minister Khieu Kanharith and a government spokesman told reporters at a press conference.

"Both sides should start to discuss to plant border markers from undisputed border areas to the complicated border areas and some complicated border areas will be built with border markers or concrete walls," Khieu Kanharith said.

"Cambodia will allow private companies to invest at least $2 million dollars at the Preah Vihear Temple to set up cable cars for tourists," he explained, adding that the government is also trying to rebuild an existing road to the temple.

It seems that the Preah Vihear border gate to Thailand will only be opened again, when the situation there is stable, but foreign tourists could visit the temple from the Cambodian side. At the moment, authorities have closed the temple grounds to visitors. For decades, the only way to get to Preah Vihear was through Thailand, because the temple is situated atop a sharp cliff on the Cambodian side (http://www.tourismindochina.com/history-cambodia.htm).

Cambodia and Thailand share a border of over 800km with only 73 demarcation markers, the Cambodian official said on Sunday. At a meeting on Aug 18-19, Cambodian and Thai foreign ministers agreed to arrange second-phase troop redeployment at the disputed border area near the temple.

They agreed to a meeting of the Cambodian Temporary Coordinating Task Force and the Thai Regional Border Committee on Aug 29 in Cambodia to discuss the troop redeployment.The two foreign ministers also agreed to recommend to their governments that the next meeting of legal experts and the Thai-Cambodian Joint Border Committee be convened in early October, to discuss the issues related to border survey and demarcation of the relevant frontier sectors.

On July 15, Thai troops went into the border area to fetch three trespassers who had intended to claim Thai sovereignty over the Preah Vihear Temple. The incident triggered a military standoff, as troop strength on each side grew to more than 1,000 soldiers. In 1962, the International Court of Justice (or World Court) in Den Haag/Holland decided that the 11-century temple belongs to Cambodia (http://www.tourismindochina.com/preah_vehear.htm).



By Reinhard Hohler, eTN Ambassador, Chiang Mai

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Regional confab puts focus on 'sites of conscience'

Organization dedicated to preserving historical record of human atrocities begins conference with visit to Tuol Sleng.


REPRESENTATIVES from "remembrance sites" around Asia gathered in Phnom Penh on Monday for the third annual meeting of the Asian Sites of Conscience, opening the three day conference with a visit to the Tuol Sleng prison.The conference was organized by the Liberation War Museum in Bangladesh in collaboration with the Cambodian genocide research group, the Documentation Center of Cambodia (DC-CAM).


The event will bring together Asian members of the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience (ICSC), a New York-based organisation that represents 70 historic sites and hundreds of historic institutions around the world, including the Gulag museum in Russia and holocaust museums throughout Europe. Mofidul Hoque, the regional coordinator of ICSC, applauded Cambodia on the achievements of the Tuol Sleng museum and DC-CAM.


Hoque also commented on the importance of collective memory to national progress in countries with traumatic histories, saying that the organisations "want to look forward to the future".ICSC representative Bix Gabriel told the Post that she hoped that the meeting would strengthen the collaboration of the member states in their quest to share complex historical issues with younger generations across Asia.


"We recognise the power museums have to address the solid issues of today and of the past," she said. "We want to help resolve the underlying questions about why these histories have come to exist."She explained that the sites of conscience are all significant for their use of physical space to make history come alive and to speak to people today.


"[Our] sites are significant because they use the physical space of history to connect to people today," she said.Akku Chowdhury from the Liberation War Museum in Bangladesh said that it was symbolic for Asia's sites of remembrance to come together. "Our sites can reflect upon the past and connect to the future, so the same mistakes are not repeated. We are all connected. "Tuol Sleng survivor Vann Nath and ECCC spokeswoman Helen Jarvis, among others, are representing Cambodia at the conference.


Written by Georgia Wilkins

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SPEAN BRAB TES The Oldest Bridge in Cambodia constructed during the age of Khmer Empire

Located in Kampong Kdey district, Siem Reap Province, the land of foremost world heritage site complex, Spean Brab Tes -Bridge of Indication- is the oldest historical bridge in Cambodia, which was constructed during the era of the King Jayavaraman the VII. This Bridge is about 1000 years old with the length of 80m and width of about 12 m. The special unique features of the bridge are its longevity and historical architecture. The bridge stays almost the same period of Angkor Wat which has been attracting millions of tourists to pay attention on until now. This bridge was the ancient Khmer Highway as the Kingdom was known as the Khmer Empire. With its underneath holes, the bridge not only plays substantial role in transportation sector but also in field of agriculture.


Unlike the Angkor Wat World Heritage Site’s reputation, Spean BrabTes is rarely known because it is located 60 Km away from Siem Reap Town. It takes about 1 hour to travel to the site by car. However, the Bridge is interesting to see due to its longevity and historical architecture which represent the best talent of the constructors and the strength during the Khmer Empire. Under pressure of the weather condition, the Bridge has struggled with an assailant for almost a century. To complete a kind the cultural tourism, the oldest Bridge visiting should not be missed. It will offer more experiences and historical clearness about the Khmer Empire.


Without hesitation, the Bridge could diversify the attractions in Siem Reap Province in accordance with tourism development master plan conducted under cooperation between JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) and APSARA Authority. Also this plan has optimized that Siem Reap will have become the major tourism hot spot in South East Asia. Therefore, the Bridge would be a part of the crucial components accelerating the master plan’s optimization and spread out more reputation and satisfaction to both domestic and international tourists.


By CHHEM Samnang

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10,000 Cambodians rally to celebrate ancient temple's World Heritage status

Cambodia - Cambodians celebrated the U.N.'s listing of an 11th-century Hindu temple as a world cultural landmark with a mass rally, fireworks and plenty of nationalist songs Monday.A crowd estimated by authorities at 10,000 — some wearing white T-shirts emblazoned with the image of Preah Vihear temple — gathered to cheer the recognition by UNESCO's World Heritage Committee a week ago.


The listing angered political leaders in neighboring Thailand, and sparked small protests by some Thais who feared it would jeopardize their country's claims to disputed land adjacent to the site. Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, who headed his government's lobbying efforts for the temple's status, recounted what he called repeated attempts by Thailand to prevent Cambodia from unilaterally pursuing its goal.


He dismissed as unacceptable Thailand's demand for a joint application with Cambodia because that would mean Phnom Penh would have to share ownership of the site."Our cause is just and fair. Our achievement is of great significance given the tough struggle we have managed to overcome," Sok An said to loud applause. "It also further reaffirms that Preah Vihear temple is Cambodia's."


In 1962, the International Court of Justice awarded the temple and the land it occupies to Cambodia, a decision that still rankles many Thais even though the temple is culturally Cambodian, sharing the Hindu-influenced style of the more famous Angkor complex in northwestern Cambodia.


Some Thais have been protesting the UNESCO listing near the border and demanding the eviction of Cambodians living on land near the temple. In response, Cambodia has sealed off access from Thailand to the temple, forcing many Cambodian vendors who survive on income from tourists to close their shops, said Hang Soth, director-general of the national authority for Preah Vihear temple.


He said some villagers were surviving on food aid sent by the Cambodian Red Cross.Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong has accused Thai opposition politicians of exploiting the cross-border dispute to advance their own domestic political agenda and warned they might endanger bilateral relations.


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Palm Village: Natural and Khmer Style Guest Houses in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Located in Kok Chork, Commune, Siem Reap Province, “Phoum Thnot” which is known as “Palm Village” in English- natural Khmer style Guest Houses built of palm tree- are strange and unique houses that possibly serve those who love the natural beauty, quiet and privacy life. This natural resort was established in 2001 and finished in 2003.


The special feature of this resort is that it is a rare and first tourism village that represents and promotes a Khmer style lodging industry and also provides the real Khmer food in Siem Reap, the land of famous heritage site in South East Asia. Its popularity has increased since there are many natural lovers have accessed the site. In harmony with attraction diversification of Siem Reap’s master plan that is one of strategic solutions, the Palm Village itself helps diversify attraction in Siem Reap as well as Cambodia.


To experience the real way of life and real travel in Siem Reap and Cambodia, Palm Village can be a good destination to relax and view the community life style. If traveling to Siem Reap Cambodia, DO NOT miss the golden opportunity to visit the heritage site and other attractions include Palm Village that many kinds of experiences and economically contribute to local resident and help enhance living standard and be apart of sustainable tourism development solution in Cambodia.


By CHHEM Samnang

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A product from north east province of Cambodia

If you want to discover the best of Cambodia, nature and wildlife of the Mekong River will be appreciatory and why do not go to Kratie province. It's located in northeastern Cambodia. It may take about 6 hours to travel by car from Phnom Penh to Kratie town (315km) crossing the National Road 6, 7 and 13. The Mekong River is extremely beneficial to crop and rice cultivation of the farmers in Kratie province. Furthermore, tourists could travel by boat or speedboat to view the nature and living along the Mekong River Bank. More importantly, Irrawaddy dolphins, mainly known as PHSAUT in Khmer, can be viewed at Kampi pool in Kampi Village, Sambok commune, Sambok district 15km north of Kratie City.


While arriving at Kratie, you would not miss to buy the tasteful Nem, roll made of hashed fish meat wrapped and cooked in banana leaves, for your families, friends, or colleagues. NEM can be eaten as a snack or with rice according to one's interest. Some people who prefer eating NEM said NEM in Kratie is tastier than that in Battambang. Thus, let's see how NEM is made in Kratie province.


In Kroko Village, 3km north of Kratie town, Aunty MEX told us about how to make NEM. She produced NEM for sale as a family business with the help of her daughter and two sons whenever they are free from their study. She said she could make NEM with an average 500 per day and it costs 100 Riel per NEM. However, she could make more than that depending on the customers' demand. First, we have to ensure that all ingredients are ready to be used for making NEM.


The main element of NEM is fish meat; kind of fish depends on the fish availability and one's interest. The other ingredients are toasted rice, ginger, star gooseberry leaves, banana leaves, chilies, sugar, salt and seasoning.


The fish meat is shredded or crushed, and mixed with toasted rice, ginger, sugar, salt and seasoning. Hashed fish meat is rolled into small ones with chili slice and star gooseberry leaves. At last, they are wrapped in banana leaves and tied with wire. One day later, NEM is ready for eating.


By Khmer Product Promotion Team


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New Angkor museum has eight galleries and a sound dome

The new $15 million Angkor National Museum, built with Thai investment, officially opened in Siem Reap with a ribbon cutting ceremony November 12. SIEM REAP - The new $15 million Angkor National Museum, built with Thai investment, officially opened in Siem Reap with a ribbon cutting ceremony November 12.


By the next day, crowds of tourists were wandering through the museum's eight galleries. The museum includes a "sound dome" where visitors can hear readings of ancient Khmer texts and it has a replication of the sunset over Angkor Wat.


Audio tapes are being produced in seven different languages. Multi-lingual tour guides are available.


In addition to the galleries, the museum has a "cultural mall" with various restaurants some for families and others for fine dining, as well as boutiques and a spa. "We've had really good feed- back so far and we are delighted," said Nina Lee, the museum's marketing director.


"The exclusive gallery of 1,000 Buddha images has been very popular." Lee said the museum is designed to offer information about Cambodia's present and past. Prime Minister Hun Sen, who presided over the ceremony with his wife Bun Rany, said private investment in museums will help Cambodia to combine heritage preservation with development.


"We must encourage private companies to build museums," he said. "They will help us to preserve and also draw profit into the country with more tourism."Hun Sen's daughter, Hun Mana, is chairwoman of the new museum. Lee said Hun Mana comes "very frequently to monitor what is going on. Everything goes through her."


An unidentified Thai business interest has a 30-year concession to run the museum. The managing director is Sunaree Wongpiyabovora, from Thailand. Entrance fees are $12 for foreigners and $3 for Cambodians. A press release called the structure a "world class museum" and "a cultural learning institute that enhances artefact preservation, collection and restoration."


Despite private funding, the museum was developed in close collaboration with the Cambodian government. The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts (MCFA) provided the curators. All of the artefacts in the museum will be looked after by MCFA and Angkor Conservation, the organization which oversees the management of Angkor temples. "The museum will give its visitors a deeper understanding of Khmer history so when they go to the actual temples they will have a better experience," said Lee. "We want the museum to help Cambodians, especially the younger generation, to understand more about their history." Written by Cat Barton


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Cable Car and Air port construction proposal in Preah Vihear

Preah Vihear temple, one of the popular heritage destinations in Cambodia, received 110, 000 visitors last year and this number is expected to rise when the accessible road is improved. Prime Minister Hun Sen last month inaugurated a 118 km road, linking to Preah Vihear’s Provincial capital Tbeng MeanChey with the temple.


According to the senior government official on 14 May, An Indian Company has unveiled the multimillion-dollar proposal to construct the air port serving the Preah Vihear Temple. Hong Soth, the director of the Preah Vihear National Authority, said the cable car is included in the proposal. This proposal would be potential to attract more tourists to Preah Vihear Temple. The proposal is in processing and five members team of the company has arranged the further talk with the government.


In order to minimize the negative impact of vibration destruction, the air port is expected to build 32 km from the temple in the case that the proposal is approval. Cambodia officials hope that the temple will be listed in the World Heritage Site but this is not yet preceded due to the disputation over the surrounding land ownership with Thailand.


By CHHEM Samnang


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Cambodia Vietnam Improve Cross Borer Links

Tourism in Cambodia has grown rapidly in number of tourists. Cambodia is rich in cultural and natural resource; as a result, Cambodia is noticed and ranked as one of the foremost destinations in Southeast Asia. According to Ministry of Tourism in Cambodia, international tourist arrival in 2007 was 2.1 million and grew 18.5 % and it is expected that the number will increase up to 3.2 million in 2010. In cooperation with Vietnam, Cambodia has developed the cross border link in order to facilitate more convenient travel between the two border countries.


At a meeting held in Ang Yang province Vietnam, an area known to Khmers as Kumpuchea krom, official from the Cambodian Ministry of Commerce and industry inked as Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Vietnamese Commerce Ministry to help increase cross border trade.


The meeting focused on infrastructure improvements and markets and economic zones in the border area between Cambodia and Vietnam.The amount of cross border trades has mushroomed in recent past years, growing at an annual rate of over 30%. Between 2001 and 2007, total cross border trade turn over between the two countries was over US$ 3.06 billion, of which Vietnam exported US$ 2.83 billion worth of goods to Cambodia and imported US$ 228.6 million of goods from Cambodia.The two Countries aim to increase two way trade turnover by 27 per cent every year to reach US$ 2.3 billion in 2010 and US$ 6.5 billion in 2015.


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The Bokator, the great ancient Khmer martial art

Disappear for long time ago, the fine art would never be heard and known until it is revitalized and taken to be represented. Bokator is nothing new. It is the ancient Khmer martial art, depicted in carving on the wall of Angkor Wat. Master Sam Kim Saen is the grand master of Bokator who revived the art from near extinction said, “Bokator was sleeping for nearly a thousand years. Now we will make it live again in Cambodia.” Since 2004 master has been teaching Bokator to the new generation of Khmers. “This is something to make them feel proud,” he said, “Now; they know the power of the Khmer. They know that we are capable to of doing good things, strong thing like our ancestor who built Angkor Wat. In the old day, martial arts were kept secret. During the Pol Pot regime, Khmer Rouge tried to find the martial arts master and killed them. During Vietnam Regime which fallow, learning martial Khmer art was consider illegal. Conversely, Bokator course is opened in Cambodia and start every morning till evening, six days per week.


There are about 10,000 techniques in modern Bokator, divided into forms or series of movements based on animals. The ancient master watched the animals and trees in nature and they saw they each had the way of defending themselves. The learner can be tested and ranked in the form of color Krama. A beginner wears white krama. The instructor wears the black Krama and the grand master wears the gold one. Unlike Khmer Boxing ( Bradal Serei), Bokator is an art like Apsara Dancing of singing. Bokator Students do not use medicine, but they use spirit power. The art is closely tied to the religion.“God made us with two hands comes from Buddha. The right hand comes from Brahma. Buddhism teaches us not to fight. Therefore, when someone strikes, you block with your left hand and say, ‘Please stop’. If he strikes again, you block with the left hand and say, ‘please stop’. If he does it again you block with the left hand and strike him the right. The right hand comes from Hinduism, so the right can fight,” the master was quick to explain this is the theoretical basis for art.


By CHHEM Samnang


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Cambodia Culture: How to Sleep, Walk, Stand, Sit, and Speak

Every culture trains its children to become good members of society in order to insure harmony, peace, and stability. Cambodian parents teach their children how to sleep, walk, stand, sit, and speak. For the parents, the values below capture the essence of a well-mannered Cambodian.

How to Sleep

• You must wake up before sunrise or you are lazy.

• Sleeping places in the home are determined according to status. (Cambodian families often live in one or two rooms, and everyone sleeps on the same bed, a large slatted wooden platform about eight- or ten-feet square. The parents sleep at the "head" end and the youngest children sleep at the "foot.")

How to Walk

• Tell people where you are going and when you are coming back. (This is important to show respect to others and to keep them from being embarrassed if someone asks and they don't know where you are.) • If someone of higher status is passing you, bend lower (from the waist) than that person.

• Don't make sounds with your skirt when you walk.

• Don't wear shoes or hats when you enter a house or temple.

• Close doors softly when you go through them.

• When you meet someone on the street, ask where they are going.

How to Stand

• Stand with your arms crossed at the waist. (Arms at the side means you are signaling that you are strong. Hands on the hips or arms behind your back or across the chest means you are rich, powerful, threatening, or disrespectful of other people.) How to Sit

• Sit with your legs straight down. (Crossing legs shows disrespect.)

• Never put your feet on a table or show the soles of your feet to others.

• Men can sit on the floor in the lotus position while eating.

• Women must sit on the floor with legs aside.

How to Speak

• You must speak softly and gently.

• Show feelings only at home.

• Children have no right to speak unless spoken to.

• A guest is polite and doesn't talk unless spoken to.

• Let others talk more than you.

• There should be limited talking at meals. Speak only if spoken to.

• If you speak with anger or emotion or express feelings, you will not be respected. You are behaving like an immature and uneducated child.

• Patience is a virtue. (Parents make a comparison between a gasoline fire which ignites quickly and burns to nothing, and a charcoal fire which is difficult to start but cannot easily be extinguished and becomes more intense.)

• Do not make aggressive movements or gestures--such as making a fist, pounding the table, or throwing something--while speaking.

• Moderated feelings are best, i.e., those that are neither very happy or very angry or sad.

• Giving criticism or discussing an individual's problems must not be done in public. (That person will lose face, want revenge, and will be unable to accept your idea.) If you must give criticism, do so in private and indirectly. Talk around the issue, ask for information about the issue, and then let the individual reach her own conclusion in her own time and way.

How to Eat

• Men can eat a lot but must not eat fast.

• Women can eat only a small amount.

• Take food only when asked or directed to.

• Use the communal spoon. Not using it indicates you are insincere or not part of the group.

• People of high rank do not expect to have to get their own food (especially at a buffet). They are often seated in a private or special place and served by others to show status and respect.

• All guests must be served water or another drink even if they come for only a short visit. Give a drink rather than ask what they want which is impolite. If asked, they are obligated to choose the least expensive drink.

• If guests come during a meal, they must be invited to eat.

How to Greet

• Offer a traditional greeting with hands in front of face, palms together, in prayer-like fashion.

• Men can shake hands with men.


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Angkor Wat Tour in the year 2007

The tourism industry has improved markedly in recent years in Cambodia, which is still trying to come to terms with the bloodshed inflicted by the Khmer Rouge regime. It was once dangerous to visit Angkor Wat and the other temples surrounding it.

The area was within the reach of Khmer Rouge guerrillas who decamped to the wilds of northwest Cambodia after being driven from power in 1979. But today, the country is at peace, and its glorious temples are crowded with tourists. A couple of miles to the south of Angkor, the dusty streets of deserted Siem Reap are full of tour buses and tuk tuks motorcycles. The city is abuzz with energy. The shopkeepers call prospective customers to come inside their shops. Along the road near the city’s international airport, hotels are going up quickly and they are doing good business. “We are having one of the best tourism seasons. All our rooms are already booked,” Chea Sokhon, sales executive of La Residence d’ Angkor hotel, told Asia News Network. The city of Angkor comprises over 70 temples, in various states of repair, spread across more than 30 sq km. The city was built between the 9th and 14th century at the height of Cambodia’s Khmer empire, which once governed much of modern day Thailand, Viet Nam, and Laos as well as parts of southern China and Burma. Today it is only the temples that survive the remnants of a metropolis that was the envy of the ancient Southeast Asian world. But it is Angkor Wat, which is the most popular tourist attraction. Certainly the temple itself is an architectural marvel of the ancient world, built in a perfect square more than a kilometre on each side and listed by the United Nations as a world heritage monument. “Angkor Wat is a treasure of Cambodia and of the world,”says Sermkhun Kunawong, Vice president of Bayon CM Organiser, which is organising the mega theatre performance US$1.5-million The Legend of Angkor Wat. Bayon CM Organiser is a joint venture between Cambodia’s Bayon Radio & TV, Kingdom of Cambodia and the Bangkok-based CM Organiser, an event and production company. Sermkhun Kunawong is a modest, quietly-spoken man — part of the generation that survived the Khmer Rouge and the ensuing years of civil war. He says whenever he looks at Angkor Wat, he is inspired to do something to spread the rich culture and history of Angkor Wat. His shifts of projected light, sound and special effects, colour, and silhouette embraced the architecture of the temple, bringing out unexpected aspects of its beauty. He has also used Apsara dances and contemporary Khmer performances to tell the historical story of Angkor Wat. The show, which will end on Jan 20, 2008, is believed to boost tourism in Cambodia. “The show will transport you back in history during a time when this ancient wonder of the world was once the centre of a powerful empire. I hope people will come to have an understanding of pre-Angkor times through this show,” says Sermkhun. The temples of Angkor still bear the scars of the brutal regime of Khmer Rouge during which an estimated two million people died. The regime destroyed anything they regarded as decadent or culturally impure, including many buildings and temples. But the temples are being reclaimed and efforts are being made to promote the Cambodian culture by individuals like Sermkhun Kunawong. “Angkor is our identity. It is our strength and hope for better future,” says Sermkhun. “We hope that more and more people visit the great temple and our rich culture and heritage spread all across the world.” In some ways things are changing. Foreign visitors are flooding in—1.7 million tourists visited Cambodia last year and the first seven months of this year (2007) have already brought 975,349 visitors. Siem Reap arrivals have increased with 615,445 visitors while Phnom Penh and other destinations had brought in a total of 359,903 visitors. And while there are no official figures on how much each tourist spends in Cambodia, the dizzying array of luxury hotels in Siem Reap—ranging from the Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor to quirky boutiques like Hotel de la Paix—testifies to the emergence of a new generation of high-end travellers. With the tourists comes money—desperately needed in a country where people are still mired in grinding poverty. In Siem Reap’s old market, where tourists gather, so too do maimed land mine victims who have been reduced to beggary. On a visit to the old market in Pokambor, I met Chang, a roadside bookseller. Her husband, Chan Vanna, a former member of the Cambodia army, lost both legs in a landmine explosion in 1993. “After he lost his legs, we turned to begging as we had no other way to support our family. It was terrible, humiliating,” remembers Chang. “But now we have decided to work and never to beg. We just hope that more tourists come here so that we get more customers,” says Chnag. Perhaps if Cambodia has to come out from the decades of despair, it needs the kind of resilience Chang has. “Sometimes we need to be tough and strong. We need to fight back”, says Chang.

Behind her the light creeps across Angkor Wat. The great temple stood in the bright sun light as it has for hundreds of years as a symbol of hope and faith of the Cambodian people, who are still trying to come to terms with the turmoil and bloodshed inflicted by the Khmer Rouge regime.

(By SYED NAZAKAT in Siem Reap/ Asia News Network)

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Cambodia Travel, Cambodia Tours, Cambodia Culture: The kites and Khmer ( Cambodian ) people

Cambodia Travel, Cambodia Tours, Cambodia Culture: The kites and Khmer ( Cambodian ) people

Eerie yet strangely soothing, a high pitch lullaby floats though the dark night. It is the sound of Khleng. Mr. Reun Sareth, manager of Phnom Penh’s Kite Museum, said kite flying as a religious ceremony has had a long history in Cambodia, from before the 4th century BC, until the reign of King Ang Doung (1840 – 1859).

[Image: Khmer Kite- Khlaeng Aek] Kite flying is still common in rural Cambodia, though city dwellers fly Khleng only at the end of the rainy season, Pithy Bon Om Tuk (water festival), Pithy Banghos Khleng (kite flying festival) and during full moon ceremonies. Farmers fly kites to celebrate a successful harvest and give their thanks to Preah Peay (god of the wind) Reun added. “[Preah Peay] brings the rain for the farmers to do their farming and stops the rain when they harvest,” he said. “On the occasion of kite flying, farmers are praying for good weather and a comfortable harvest. “ Of more than 20 kinds of kite, the most popular is Khleng Ek, also called Khleng Pnong. “Khleng Ek originated from Ethic P’nong [a north-eastern hill tribe] who flew them to pray to Preah Sen to help them in their farm world and get good crops,” said Reun. “Khleng Ek curve like hammocks and make sweet sounds when they catch the wind. khleng Ek are part of Khmer identity.” Made from inexpensive materials such as bamboo and bee’s wax, Khleng Ek come equipped with Ek, a simple instrument which produces melodic tones as the kite flies. Farmers often fly Khleng Ek and Khleng Kaum (lantern kites) above open field at night, trudging home to chat with family and friends accompanied by the mellifluous tones and rich glow of the kites. Rural Cambodians also fly kite during the dry season, from November to March, because rice fields are dry and covered only with stubble, although there is no religious symbolism involved, said Neun, just “peace and happiness.” Cambodian children can be seen flying Khleng Kandong (tailless kites), khleng Kantaung (pouch kites), Khleng Prabao (packet kites, Khleng Hloh (parasol kites) on windy days because these are easy to get airborne without the help of an adult. Though variants of Khmer can be seen throughout south-east Asia, only the kite Museum, established in late 2003, has examples of every style. “We established the kite museum because we want to keep the tradition of Khmer kites safe for the younger generation,” Neun said. It is part of the national identity. Moreover, we are proud of our culture and want to show it to foreign tourists. The Kite Museum is playing very important role in this.” More than just a glass-case display, the museum explains construction techniques, religious significance, and history of Khmer kites. “We want to teach people how to make and fly kites, “explained Neun. “Sometimes we go outside to teach people, if they ask. We are happy to do it.” International promotion of the little-known culture is also a priority. Khmer Khleng Ek have appeared 18 times in international kite festivals since 1994, including events held in France, Italy, the UK, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and China. Regardless of its growing renown, kite flying is an entertainment enjoyed by all, a pastime many see as an expression of peace and freedom.

Whenever there is free time, kites will dot the sky – some Khmers say Khleng Ek represents the mother of Cambodians. “Khleng Ek not only adds color to Khmer culture, they also convey a symbolic idea of peace and unity to young Cambodians and across the world too,” Neun said. “I hope that soon everyone around the world will know about our Khleng Ek.”

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