Comments on: Cambodia’s coronavirus scarecrows

By: JS Broadbent

JS Broadbent — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 05:27:13 +0000

Current residence in PP is a quiet suburban blind alley, close to Russian Market, mainly occupied by Khmer families (so they seem to buy up 6 – 8 houses to make things fit). I’m the only foreigner for ½ a kilometre or so; next nearest is a big contingent of African language teachers. I’m a NZ’er and their elocution and precise diction often beats mine, even to the point of real British RP, ie BBC style (which refers to GB broadcasting network).
As for any persecution or negative attitude towards foreigners, none at all seen around here. There is some trepidation for sure and everyone wants and is trying to be careful, but we are not being senselessly singled out as vectors, nor ostracised in any other way, other than the usual. All good so far and I expect common sense will continue to prevail.

Don’t worry about moving here. Under current circumstances, you would likely be hard pressed to identify a better value, safer, friendlier location – if you are looking for a new country.

Good luck – we always need that!

Steve

By: Nic Richards

Nic Richards — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 05:38:09 +0000

The Ting Mong article was fascinating reading for me. So many other countries have similar practices in bad times and to ward of the bad spirits. In the rural areas of the Philippines, people worry a lot about witches coming to the house to steal children and babies. They often put up decoys, hang garlic and so on to distract them.
I shifted to Phnom Penh early in March for work, and now am stuck here. Continuing my writing to divert my attention from the troubles, and hopefully cheers up others.

By: Kaarin Kaaihue

Kaarin Kaaihue — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 11:29:57 +0000

As beautiful a country Cambodia is, the amount of widespread superstitions believed by the people is sad. (I am not religious, and I am not talking about praying, going to temple, being blessed by monks, etc.) The undereducated portion of the population here believe many things that not only do not HELP them in any way but often are actually harmful. A lot of con artists taking advantage of gullible people is dangerous, especially with fake “medicinal” cures.
We do love living here (in Phnom Penh) overall and the people here are by far some of the kindest in the world. Thanks for this article on the scarecrows and their cultural meaning.

By: alistair nicoll

alistair nicoll — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 09:51:12 +0000

I am a regular visitor to the village of Chi Phat and on one visit I came across these outside the houses in one part of the village never having seen them before or since(although I am unfortunately in the UK now and not in the village to enjoy the Khmer new year where I would guess they are out)

Thank you for a more detailed explanation than I was able to obtain at the time

By: David Smith

David Smith — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 05:04:12 +0000

No intent to spread fake news Mr. Lennox just saying what she read as she is in Russia I would imagine she read it in the newspaper or on TV As for the neutral Bombs in Cambodia I was told by my friend who helped spray those chemicals not just agent orange but agent purple and agent white that the then Cambodian government gave permission to the USA to bomb only the supply route the Viet Cong was using Now again he was only in Vietnam for three tours so I can not prove the words he told me. But you are right and I am sorry this has nothing to do with what your post is about I was just trying to find out if the rumor was true Because I had plans to move �鶹��ýӳ�� I think it is a very beautiful country and I have read great people Sorry I won’t post any more fake news.