25th, January, 2023
by Sim Vireak

Cambodian people rarely view Westerners in the historical frames, such as the past colonists, the past bombers over our grandparents, the past “sanctioners” over our parents, or as the past Khmer Rouge sympathizers.Generally, we don’t have vengeful feeling against foreigners.Such kind of approach by Cambodian people should be reciprocated by foreigners.

The approach towards Cambodia and Cambodian people should be in a learning attitude, trying to understand without prejudice and predetermined judgment.

Cambodian people know that there are also some rude and arrogant American, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. But they still approach those foreigners without discrimination.

Likewise, to understand Cambodian people, politics and leadership, foreign observers should try to dig deep into local thoughts, writings, culture, history, identities and values.

For example, before accusing Prime Minister HE as a communist dictator, one should read his book entitled “10 Years of Cambodia’s March: 1979-1989”, and see how he evaluated the situation and ran the country during the most difficult time to really understand whether he is a pragmatist or an ideologue.

Without a proper understanding or at least trying to listen to the voices of senior Cambodian leaders during Cambodia’s most difficult time of survival, ones should not make haste to judge the level of statesmanship of Cambodian senior leaders.

Otherwise, it sounds like an unmarried first year university student criticizing or lecturing their own parents on how to raise a family.

Cambodia and Cambodian leaders are often misunderstood, under-appreciated and misperceived.

Foreign observers should try to read books about Cambodia beyond Pol Pot and Khmer Rouge. They should try to find books and media written and produced by Khmers who have survived, lived and breathed in Cambodia to really grasp the real-life experiences, perspectives and understand what Cambodian people really think.

But Cambodia is not that free to the level that people has freedom to throw shoes on leaders

One would know the value of peace only when you start wanting to lock yourself and your family in the house for fear of going outside to witness social unrest, insecurity and violence.

full.https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501225339/ ... -cambodia/

What an 'interesting' article

If one didn't know better you'd think it satire.

It's badly written but has some truth. Most foreigners don't ever get past the simplistic idea that Cambodia was a gentle land until Pol Pot appeared out of nowhere, murdered everyone with glasses and then disappeared.
Real life has nuances.

John Bingham wrote: ↑Mon Jan 30, 2023 6:52 pm It's badly written but has some truth. Most foreigners don't ever get past the simplistic idea that Cambodia was a gentle land until Pol Pot appeared out of nowhere, murdered everyone with glasses and then disappeared.
Real life has nuances.

Completely agree

On an unrelated note, anyone got a link to that global witness article of the spider web of businesses?

One would know the value of peace only when you start wanting to lock yourself and your family in the house for fear of going outside to witness social unrest, insecurity and violence.

And I could be reading this wrong, but is this a "just be grateful its better than before"?