We visited Svay Rieng, which is a border town very near to Vietnam. Upon returning from Svay Rieng, we stayed in Phnom Penh for the next three days, visiting the city, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Choeung Ek Genocide Centre. In addition to the above, we visited the various Methodist Missions in Phnom Penh.
Life in the village
Life in the village is similar to what we had in the 60’s. The era of the Pol Pot had pushed the Cambodian development back by some 30-40 years! Looking at the architecture, Cambodia was more advanced than Singapore back in the 60’s. For example, I was told that the HDB flat was actually copied from Cambodia in the 60’s.
Photographer: Kelly Wong Team A
Central Market
The Central Market was built in 1935-1937 over an old lake. The unique feature of this huge building is that it has no pillar! The entrance is lined with souvenir merchants hawking everything from T-shirt and postcards to silverware. Inside, is a dazzling display of jewels, electronics goods, stationery and flowers are also in ample display. I don’t think there are any genuine goods being sold here although some claimed that they are “real”.
In Cambodia, bargain hard! I bought a pair of sunglass for US$2 from the offer price of US$12. However, the screw dropped off after two usage.
Russian Market
The Russian market is an interesting place. You can buy lots of “fake” products there. A “Camel” shirt can be bought for US$3-UIS$4 each. The quality is not bad. There are also food stall where you can buy some nice food.
Transportation
The transport system in Cambodia is “fit for purpose”. The vehicles can be home made, or could be the most expensive Hammer or Lexus or Mercedes. In Phnom Penh itself, there are hardly any traffic lights. Also, at any junction or cross road, there is no give way sign. Everyone has the same right of way! Amazingly, there are not that many casualties.
One interesting thing I noticed was that some vehicles have no number plate.
The imagination and creativity of Cambodian people are stretched to the limited!
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
“Tuol Sleng” Museum was a secondary school in Phnom Penh called Tuol Svay Prey High School. On 17th April 1975, Pol Pot clique converted into a most brutal concentration camp, the S21 (Security Office 21). The school compound was double walled and lined with barded wires. The classrooms were divided into tiny cells, each about 3x6 feet.
Thousands of victims were imprisoned here and eventually they were all exterminated with their wives and children.
This museum still exhibits the torturing equipment, photos of victim, etc.
Choeung Ek Genocidal Center
15 KM from Phnom Penh is the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center. There are 129 mass graves here. Victims were transported from all part of the country to be exterminated here. During the peak, about 300 prisoners were brought in to be killed by the cruelest method only the most brutal human can imagine off. Their killing tools could be iron rod, knives, hoes, shoves, etc. It was told that the leaves from sea coconut were also used. The earth is still lined with bones.
Choeung Ek was a Chinese cemetery before. It was also told that you can still hear victims crying in the night.
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