Return to the homeland week 1
This summer I decided to return to Cambodia for 2 months. After 10 months away I wanted the opportunity to see how the Country has changed and catch up on stories I was covering before I left.
I am sorry for the delay in posting these images, its been a very busy week not only taking photos but also getting established and recovering from jet lag. I will be updating this section every week so please keep looking back for more.
There is a change in atmosphere, things seem tenser than before and crime is on the increase. I myself was robbed for the first time in Cambodia, it was only a small amount of cash snatched from my pocket.
There has been an increase in robberies from gold stores around the capital resulting in greater numbers of security guards around the major markets.
Land eviction is still a problem and one of the remaining disputed sites in Phnom Penh Commune 78 has finally been cleared as residents have agreed compensation offers for their land. Demolition crews have moved in to remove the remaining houses.
One of the joys of working in Cambodia is the opportunity for single strange images. I think its worth mentioning that to most westerners the idea of binding electrical cables together above a busy road junction may seem strange, yet to my Khmer friends I showed this image to could not see a problem with this and agreed that these actions would improve the appearance of the street.
The Khmer Rouge trials are in full swing, but access for photography is reduced to capturing images of a flat screen in the media room of the court.
I was fortunate enough for this rare glimpse of access. The image below is of Pol Pots cousin outside the Khmer Rouge court. She had come from her provincial home to view the court and was more than willing to be photographed.
July 20th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Wow Charles… those photos are amazing.
Pol Pot’s cousin looks exactly like HE Sok An – coincidence?
I am saddened to hear that you find things more tense in PP and that crime is on the rise.
I look forward to reading more of your updates!
xx
July 26th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Wonderful photography. It makes us more determined to come and see the country for ourselves. One point of criticism and it won’t be a surprise coming from us is that there a few spelling mistakes in the otherwise excellent text. You are clearly working very very hard to raise the profile of the people and the country. We can only assume that others will be as passionate and interested in your work as we are. Keep up the high standard that you have now set yourself. We look forward to your next update.