The changing face of Cambodia
- SternAAlbifrons
- Expatriate
- Posts: 5752
- Joined: Sat Mar 23, 2019 11:31 am
- Reputation: 3424
- Location: Gilligan's Island
Re: The changing face of Cambodia
Re, Use of prison labour on chinese belt and road projects. In short..
Firstly, I point to the direct involvement by china in one of the KR's single biggest Crimes Against Humanity - the construction if the notorious Kampong Chhnang airfield.
So we know they like using slave labour on a grand scale.
Fast forward to construction of dams in koh kong. Many credible reports of chinese prison labour was used there.
10 labourers at least, died building these dams, I personally saw two of their bodies washed down into town.
(RIP, brother workers). Chinese construction biz is well known to be unconcerned with safety of their workers.
Forward again, 'til now. More and more reports are starting to surface about prison labour being used on the current rapid expansion of the new chinese empire, i.e. on belt and road projects.
Some people have serious concerns about this - from any number of angles.
Some people, it seems, not only accept it but are actually defending this crime against chinese law, international law and WTO ground rules.
Not to mention the callousness displayed to the prisoner/workers themselves.
Firstly, I point to the direct involvement by china in one of the KR's single biggest Crimes Against Humanity - the construction if the notorious Kampong Chhnang airfield.
So we know they like using slave labour on a grand scale.
Fast forward to construction of dams in koh kong. Many credible reports of chinese prison labour was used there.
10 labourers at least, died building these dams, I personally saw two of their bodies washed down into town.
(RIP, brother workers). Chinese construction biz is well known to be unconcerned with safety of their workers.
Forward again, 'til now. More and more reports are starting to surface about prison labour being used on the current rapid expansion of the new chinese empire, i.e. on belt and road projects.
Some people have serious concerns about this - from any number of angles.
Some people, it seems, not only accept it but are actually defending this crime against chinese law, international law and WTO ground rules.
Not to mention the callousness displayed to the prisoner/workers themselves.
- frank lee bent
- Expatriate
- Posts: 11330
- Joined: Sat May 17, 2014 4:10 am
- Reputation: 2094
Re: The changing face of Cambodia
Sihanoukville is full of them by many accounts of residents on FB.
There are many reports of arrests of PRC citizens with no passports.
Safe to say these are examples of those who try to escape the terms of their "conditional release" to labor contracts.
There are many reports of arrests of PRC citizens with no passports.
Safe to say these are examples of those who try to escape the terms of their "conditional release" to labor contracts.
- frank lee bent
- Expatriate
- Posts: 11330
- Joined: Sat May 17, 2014 4:10 am
- Reputation: 2094
Re: The changing face of Cambodia
After the rain in Sihanoukville
- SternAAlbifrons
- Expatriate
- Posts: 5752
- Joined: Sat Mar 23, 2019 11:31 am
- Reputation: 3424
- Location: Gilligan's Island
Re: The changing face of Cambodia
Frank, do you think the Chinese tourism developers will step in to ensure their investment is protected by putting in sustainable and effective waste disposal, including waste water?
Surely they must have serious concerns about this also??
-
- Expatriate
- Posts: 119
- Joined: Mon Apr 01, 2019 11:59 am
- Reputation: 41
- Location: Cambodia
Re: The changing face of Cambodia
When I first arrived in Cambodia I lived in PP for almost one year. It wasn't for me, mainly due to the traffic, horrendous flooding and pollution. I then moved to Siem Reap which was a paradise compared to PP.joelightcloud wrote: ↑Fri Apr 26, 2019 9:17 am As someone that has lived here since 2003 I find it all very sad. I'm in Phnom Penh and its now completely lost its charm, I see people posting that they want to move here for the first time. They are too late, its gone!
I'm still here though and that's because as in general the Khmer are still the warmest, friendliest and gentlest of all South East Asians but I am losing the passion. This saddens me also as Cambodia is a country I fell deeply in love with 16 years ago. And for that reason my heart wants to remain. I do believe things are going to get worse in the short term but I also believe in the long term things will be better so its about if I want to see it through or not and wait to see what the charm will ultimately be replaced with, the jury is still out on that one. I don't like Myanmar or Vietnam so much, Lao is boring, Thailand is spoiled and the Philippines is a dump so where to go?
Siem reap is a showcase town developed, I suppose, specifically to support the ever growing hordes of tourists. Over the last several years the construction of new hotels, restaurants, guest houses, schools and so on has been unbelievable. Now there is an extremely wide choice of where to shop,sleep, eat and drink. As mentioned this development has brought many positives to Siem Reap not least the increase in job opportunities especially in the tourism and service sectors.
However, nothing is perfect, along with the positives has come some major negatives. The town is now awash with Chinese tourists and an ever increasing amount of Chinese residents. The Khmer shop owners and market stall holders are truly concerned about their future. In area's where the Chinese visit most local Khmer shoppers move on leaving businesses with a 40% to 60% reduction in earnings. I know this to be a fact. The Chinese i'm told don't spend a $ between them. The Police also have the burden of dealing with the additional crime committed by some of the Chinese. This includes the scammers, moto theft, robbery, immigration issues and even murder.
Many long term expats have left or are leaving. I also decided to up-sticks a couple of months back and now live quite happily about a hour or so out of town.
-
- Expatriate
- Posts: 120
- Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2014 4:11 pm
- Reputation: 55
Re: The changing face of Cambodia
Interesting. Actually, I really like Siem Reap. The locals in particular, as long as you stay away from Pub Street. I'm sorry to hear that things are heading the same way as Phnom Penh with regards to the Chinese. Siem Reap is somewhere I have considered as an alternative to where I currently live but that no longer appears feasible. The Chinese tourists slamming hotel rooms doors, attacking breakfast buffets, squealing, shouting and spitting is one thing, but them taking up permanent residence is another travesty.The Whisperer wrote: ↑Mon Apr 29, 2019 9:23 am When I first arrived in Cambodia I lived in PP for almost one year. It wasn't for me, mainly due to the traffic, horrendous flooding and pollution. I then moved to Siem Reap which was a paradise compared to PP.
Siem reap is a showcase town developed, I suppose, specifically to support the ever growing hordes of tourists. Over the last several years the construction of new hotels, restaurants, guest houses, schools and so on has been unbelievable. Now there is an extremely wide choice of where to shop,sleep, eat and drink. As mentioned this development has brought many positives to Siem Reap not least the increase in job opportunities especially in the tourism and service sectors.
However, nothing is perfect, along with the positives has come some major negatives. The town is now awash with Chinese tourists and an ever increasing amount of Chinese residents. The Khmer shop owners and market stall holders are truly concerned about their future. In area's where the Chinese visit most local Khmer shoppers move on leaving businesses with a 40% to 60% reduction in earnings. I know this to be a fact. The Chinese i'm told don't spend a $ between them. The Police also have the burden of dealing with the additional crime committed by some of the Chinese. This includes the scammers, moto theft, robbery, immigration issues and even murder.
Many long term expats have left or are leaving. I also decided to up-sticks a couple of months back and now live quite happily about a hour or so out of town.
-
- Expatriate
- Posts: 109
- Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2019 12:36 pm
- Reputation: 20
Re: The changing face of Cambodia
I wonder what the answer is?
Adapt, wait for it to sort it self out (it’s not the first time immigrants have taken over areas), or intervention from government - but in what context would that take?
I can see it not being in issue in 10 or 20 years time when locals are more educated, wealthier and will out compete the Chinese.
Let’s not forget many Locals have Chinese heratige and that’s never going to change. (I’ve seen at least two Chinese/Khmer couple with kids in SHV. I’m sure there are more.
Whatever the outcome I’ll be long gone as will most of us.
Adapt, wait for it to sort it self out (it’s not the first time immigrants have taken over areas), or intervention from government - but in what context would that take?
I can see it not being in issue in 10 or 20 years time when locals are more educated, wealthier and will out compete the Chinese.
Let’s not forget many Locals have Chinese heratige and that’s never going to change. (I’ve seen at least two Chinese/Khmer couple with kids in SHV. I’m sure there are more.
Whatever the outcome I’ll be long gone as will most of us.
-
- Expatriate
- Posts: 119
- Joined: Mon Apr 01, 2019 11:59 am
- Reputation: 41
- Location: Cambodia
Re: The changing face of Cambodia
I don't want to go overboard, but it seems to me like something out of The Lord of the Rings, a big black evil cloud sweeping over Asia. I can only think of a few countries that remain untouched, Vietnam, Malaysia and India. They are now in parts of Africa too.joelightcloud wrote: ↑Mon Apr 29, 2019 9:40 amInteresting. Actually, I really like Siem Reap. The locals in particular, as long as you stay away from Pub Street. I'm sorry to hear that things are heading the same way as Phnom Penh with regards to the Chinese. Siem Reap is somewhere I have considered as an alternative to where I currently live but that no longer appears feasible. The Chinese tourists slamming hotel rooms doors, attacking breakfast buffets, squealing, shouting and spitting is one thing, but them taking up permanent residence is another travesty.The Whisperer wrote: ↑Mon Apr 29, 2019 9:23 am When I first arrived in Cambodia I lived in PP for almost one year. It wasn't for me, mainly due to the traffic, horrendous flooding and pollution. I then moved to Siem Reap which was a paradise compared to PP.
Siem reap is a showcase town developed, I suppose, specifically to support the ever growing hordes of tourists. Over the last several years the construction of new hotels, restaurants, guest houses, schools and so on has been unbelievable. Now there is an extremely wide choice of where to shop,sleep, eat and drink. As mentioned this development has brought many positives to Siem Reap not least the increase in job opportunities especially in the tourism and service sectors.
However, nothing is perfect, along with the positives has come some major negatives. The town is now awash with Chinese tourists and an ever increasing amount of Chinese residents. The Khmer shop owners and market stall holders are truly concerned about their future. In area's where the Chinese visit most local Khmer shoppers move on leaving businesses with a 40% to 60% reduction in earnings. I know this to be a fact. The Chinese i'm told don't spend a $ between them. The Police also have the burden of dealing with the additional crime committed by some of the Chinese. This includes the scammers, moto theft, robbery, immigration issues and even murder.
Many long term expats have left or are leaving. I also decided to up-sticks a couple of months back and now live quite happily about a hour or so out of town.
-
- Expatriate
- Posts: 109
- Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2019 12:36 pm
- Reputation: 20
Re: The changing face of Cambodia
Who the fuck wants to go to Africa!
- hanno
- Expatriate
- Posts: 6812
- Joined: Fri May 16, 2014 12:37 pm
- Reputation: 3184
- Location: Phnom Penh
- Contact:
Re: The changing face of Cambodia
They are all over Africa. Mombasa will probably have to hand over Kilindini Harbour to the Chinese as they are defaulting on the loan, Tanzania is awash with Chinese construction workers that look like they are either PLA or prisoners, they are mining in Ruaha NP, Zambia has been taken over, and on and on.
-
- Similar Topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post
-
- 22 Replies
- 3874 Views
-
Last post by John Bingham
-
- 1 Replies
- 1356 Views
-
Last post by Clemen
-
- 8 Replies
- 1668 Views
-
Last post by AndyKK
-
- 40 Replies
- 7241 Views
-
Last post by hburns
-
- 6 Replies
- 1240 Views
-
Last post by pissontheroof
-
- 1 Replies
- 1280 Views
-
Last post by PSD-Kiwi
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: Ahrefs [Bot], Bing [Bot], Majestic-12 [Bot], Soriya and 835 guests