Phnom Penh, Cambodia – The Cambodia People’s Party (CPP) held several rallies in the capital on Friday and Saturday, ahead of local commune elections to be held in the country on June 3rd. The rallies are meant to shore up support for Prime Minister Hun Sen and the CPP, which has dominated the political landscape of Cambodia for the last 30 years.
Recently, in Battambang Province, 44 members of Cambodia’s main opposition Sam Rainsy party defected to the CPP. If these defections are any indication of the shape that the fragmented opposition party is in, then things aren’t looking good for them in the upcoming elections.
In a speech with eerie overtones from a different and darker era, Hun Sen was quoted by VOA in an election speech last Tuesday as saying, “Cambodia would face unnamed dangers if there were any change of leader.”
Here is some video and analysis on the election, that I recorded as a rally rolled through the block that I live on in Phnom Penh. Have a look and see how “democracy” is done, Cambodian style:
There was once a time when Japan and Korea didn’t hurl abuse, squabble over rocks in the sea or blast half-baked missiles over each other’s sovereign territory. In fact for most of their shared history Korea and Japan have been at peace with one another. The Joseon Tongshinsa festival, held high above Busan’s Nampo-dong district in Yongdusan Park, convenes on the first weekend of May to celebrate those peaceful times. On the Saturday afternoon, the festival culminates in a mass parade of traditional costumes, drums and dances from both lands.
A Joseon diplomatic procession headed through the streets of Edo in 1748.
The Tongshinsa were a series of diplomatic missions sent by the Joseon Kings to the Shoguns of Japan between 1392 and 1811. Their official purpose (as well as to wear big funny hats, flaunt colourful banners and ride in outlandish palanquins) was to promote peace, trade and to exchange in cultural commodities.
The last Tongshinsa mission was brought to a halt only 50kms away from the Korean Coast on the small Japanese island of Tsushima. Caught between the shit and the fan of the Meiji restoration, relations between the two nations would take a serious turn for the worse.
Now in its 10th iteration, the Joseon Tongshinsa festival ignores the atrocities of the past, instead focusing on the similar music, dance, food and alcohol the two cultures share.
With Korea and Japan being my two favourite countries, I crammed my camera in my bag and rushed off towards Yongdusan Park. I arrived early in a fruitless attempt to avoid the inevitable claustrophobia caused by Busan’s population of over 3.5 million. I chilled out in the early summer sun, drank a quick Cass (the cheap Korean beer of choice) and watched some curly haired grannies practice their drumming routine. There were plenty of tents with activities for bored kids to pursue, but I was confuddled by the lack of English.
To begin this story, I will have to take you way back to the idyllic and overly idealistic glory days of English education in Korea, way back to 2006. At the time, I was employed by an elementary school in Seongbuk-gu, up in northern Seoul. My views on life in Korea at the time were just as hopeful [...]
Greetings loyal Asia Pundits readers and writers! Well it’s been just over a year since this site was launched and during that time we’ve come a long way in the development of this project. I’ve tried my best to turn this site into a webzine that delves into the many facets and intricacies of Asia life. I’ve [...]
Is it possible that Kim Jong Un is actually going to be an economic reformer? That, at least, is what Time Magazine is suggesting. When young Kim Jong Un stood before the assembled throngs in Pyongyang on April 15, insisting that come hell or high water he would persist with his father’s “military first” policies [...]
After canning it up the hill at what must have been record speed, I couldn’t get off the mini bus fast enough. The nausea eventually subsided as I peered down at the sloping, vibrant neighborhood of Taeguk Village. The colors and short stature of the buildings were a stark contrast to the grey tides of [...]
My place of birth so long ago, Youthful optimism and promise abound, But the passing of Camelot and 60’s revolts witnessed the mistral of change blow hard and long strong, It was then the flaws began to appear, later stirring questioning and rebellion dormant lying for years, Illusions of goodness shattered like glass, demanding conflicts [...]
CNN Reports that the ICBM we’ve been worrying about has been launched. We’ll keep you updated. CNN now says rocket launch has “failed.” It has “broken apart.” No debris fell anywhere with people. CNN link.
Well, the North Koreans have setup their ICBM on the launch pad and they’re preparing to test an A-bomb. Things are going to get tense for the next few days while we see exactly how all of this works out. I don’t honestly anything dramatic to happen, but who knows? This is North Korea we’re talking [...]
Good Evening Cambodia, Today is Thursday, April 5th, 2012. Sorry I’ve been slack on posting the piece. One of the site’s users has been concerned about my absence. For those of you crapping your pants for a new edition, your wait is over – but at the same time, you need to check where you’re at and [...]
