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More photos of when I was in Thmor Bang District

with HE Son Chhay, Mardi Seng, Emily and Phirum Keo

one week before Chut Wutty was gunned down in the same area

(Photos: Emily Keo, April 2012)

Thmor Bang District, April 2012
Waiting at Thmor Bang (where there's limited electricity phone services, certainly not 012) for the motorbikes to take us deep into the valley where the dam will turn it into a reservoir (the 2nd day, after our failed attempt to get through via the Tacoma truck on the 1st day (Photo: Emily Keo, 17 April 2012).  Scroll down for more photos of our mission one week before Chut Wutty's murder at the same Thmor Bang district...

 

. . .

 


Who is responsible for the death of Cambodia's foremost forest activist?

In KI-Media

The UK Guardian Video Profile of Chut Wutty

A documentary in the making

 

. . .

 

Logging, Corruption in Cambodia

The Diplomat, 2 May 2012

In KI-Media


Illegal logging has been a hot topic in Cambodia in recent months. It’s a practice that has expanded as it has become more profitable – there’s significant international demand for the fine-grained lumber from rosewood trees, which is used in a wide variety of ways, from the production of furniture in China to musical instruments to be sold in the United States.


However, activists say the logging of these rare trees causes significant environmental degradation, and it has undoubtedly contributed to Cambodia’s rapid deforestation rate, the third highest in the world according to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization. Officially, the trees are protected by law. Unofficially, the underground business of logging is thriving in Cambodia. Indeed, the trade can be so lucrative that Cambodian loggers have been traversing the border into Thailand to cut down their rosewood trees, a growing concern to both Phnom Penh and Bangkok; Thai border guards routinely shoot and kill Cambodian loggers.

. . .

 

Chea Vichea and Cambodia's Shame

The Diplomat

1 May 2012, Luke Hunt (in KI-Media) Excerpts:


The Chut Vuthy killing is having explosive ramifications, and the parallels with the killing of Chea Vichea are enormous. Chut Vuthy had been prominent in uncovering the secret sell-off of state forests, illegal rosewood harvesting and land grabs in the area where a Chinese dam is being built.


His family, human rights groups and long time observers are troubled by the official explanation: That the military police officer who killed Chut Vuthy, after realizing what he had done, turned an AK-47 on himself and pulled the trigger twice.


Also present when Chut Vuthy was confronted by the group of military troops demanding his camera were two journalists. Neither saw who shot who, and they were eventually lucky to get out unscathed after the intervention of outside police. But the simple fact that such killings still take place speaks volumes about Cambodia. Sadly, the likes of Brad Cox have no shortage of subjects to work with.

. . .


UN human rights office concerned over murder of Cambodian environment activist

UN News Centre, 1 May 2012

In KI-Media


U.N. seeks full inquiry into Cambodian activist's death

AFP, 1 May 2012

In KI-Media

 



Cambodia shootings show worrying impunity: activists

AFP,  1 May 2012, Michelle Fitzpatrick


 



The Phnom Penh Post, 1 May 2012



The Phnom Penh Post, 30 April 2012

 

Funeral Ceremony at Ancestral Home of Chut Wutty

Svay Meas Village, Vihear Suor District, Kandal Province

Saturday, 28 April 2012

In KI-Media

Theary Seng, Sam Chanthy (widow of Chut Wutty), Dr. Nancy Beavan
Here I am with Chut Wutty's widow, Sam Chanthy, and Dr. Nancy Beavan, an archaeologist who had worked with Wutty in the Cardamon Mountains (Saturday, 28 April 2012 at Vihear Suor district in Kandal, a 1 1/2 hrs. drive from Phnom Penh city center)


Listening to the monks chant and silently offering my Christian prayers.


Speaking with Chut Wutty's son Udom Reasmey


Bidding Chut Wutty's widow farewell, departing for Phnom Penh.

 

 

. . .

 

Rights groups decry killing

of Cambodian activist

The Huffington Post, 27 April 2012

In KI-Media


"What happened ... is meant to be a chilling message to us, the concerned citizens, the rights advocates: You mess with us, you pay with your life," said a statement by the rights group CIVICUS, the Center for Cambodian Civic Education. "However, let us send a message back: We will not be bowed!"

 

. . .


Cambodia: Officer killed activist,

then himself

April 27, 2012 Associated Press


The death of Chut Wutty, the director of the National Resources Protection Group, had outraged human rights and environmental groups. A Cambodian rights group, the Center for Cambodian Civic Education, described it as "cold-blooded murder."

 

 

. . .


Blow to Civil Society in Southeast Asia

An analysis by Parameswaran Ponnudurai

Radio Free Asia, 27 April 2012

A 'cold blooded' murder of a Cambodian activist throws the spotlight on the plight of civil society in the region.


'Cold-blooded murder'


Theary Seng, founding president of rights group CIVICUS, the Center for Cambodian Civic Education, called Chut Wutty's death a "cold blooded murder."

 

"What happened [yesterday] is meant to be a chilling message to us, the concerned citizens, the rights advocates: 'You mess with us, you pay with your life,'" she said.

 

"However, let us send a message back: 'We will not be bowed!'"


. . .

 


. . .


Just spoke with Chut Wutty's younger brother; his body is being returned to family ancestral village in Kandal Province late tonight. I plan to visit his family tomorrow morning, departing from CIVICUS Cambodia at 8:30 a.m., and for those of you who wish to show support through presence and/or financial contribution, please contact me.

- Theary, 6:20 p.m. (Thursday, 26 April 2012)


UPDATED INFO: His wife is retrieving his body early tomorrow morning, so we will visit Kandal departing now at 3:30 p.m. from CIVICUS Cambodia.

- Theary, 11:30 p.m. (Thursday, 26 April 2012)


Just talked with Chut Wutty's younger brother again at 7 -ish this morning and through tears he confirmed that the body is being retrieved today and is expected to arrive at Phum Svay Meas, Khum Vihear Suor, Srok Kandal in Kandal Province at around 3 or 4 p.m.   If you wish to join our caravan to pay respect to his family, we depart at 3:30 from CIVICUS Cambodia office.

- Theary, 8:30 a.m. (Friday, 27 April 2012)


We once again postponed our visit to pay respects to the family as the body is still yet in Koh Kong as of this late Friday afternoon.  His younger brother tried to claim the body on the day of his murdered but was refused permission.  His wife and two nephews accompanied her this early Friday morning to retrieve the body.  No ambulance was provided.  It is now expected that his body will be returned to his ancestral village in Kandal Province late tonight between 10-12 midnight.


CIVICUS Cambodia will visit his family on Saturday departing at 2 p.m.  A very large group of human rights activists and concerned citizens are visiting his family on Sunday.  The body will be carried to the nearby pagoda for the cremation ceremony on Monday morning.

- Theary 5 p.m. (Friday, 27 April 2012)


 



. . .

 

PROMINENT ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVIST

 

MURDERED

 

AT THMOR BANG TODAY!



លោក​ ​​ឈុត វុទ្ធី​ / Chut Wutty (CCHR, Sept. 2011)

 


Killing of Cambodian environment activist must be investigated

Amnesty International, 26 April 2012

 


Anti-logging activist shot dead in Cambodian forest

AFP, 26 April 2012

 


Cambodian activist killed while helping journalists

Committee to Protect Journalists, 26 April 2012

 


Cambodian police shoot anti-logging activist

Al Jazeera, 26 April 2012

 


Cambodian environmental campaigner shot dead by police

BBC, 26 April 2012

 


Cambodian police shoot dead leading anti-logging campaigner

UK Guardian, 26 April 2012


. . .

 

Chut Wutty, president of Natural Resources Conservation Group in Cambodia (ប្រធាន​​អង្គការ​​កា​រពារ​​​ធន​​ធាន​​ធម្ម​ជាតិ), was murdered at Thmor Bang district of Koh Kong Province (ថ្ម​បាំង​ ខេត្តកោះ​កុង) this Thursday noon while on mission investigating the illegal logging in the Cardamon Mountains, where I was only one week ago.

 

My heart and prayers go out to the family of Mr. Chut Wutty.

 

We condemn in the harshest terms the murder of Mr. Chut Wutty and are deeply concerned about the whereabouts of two Cambodia Daily journalists who were with him at the time of the murder at Thmor Bang.

 

- Theary C. Seng, 4 p.m. Thursday, 26 April 2012



Cambodia environmentalist killed in police dispute

April 26, 2012

The Associated Press

 


Cambodian Activist Killed in Police Shoot-out

26 April 2012

Australia Network News



Cambodian Activist Shot Dead

2012-04-26

Radio Free Asia

 


Forest activist Chut Wutty slained and

2 reporters from the Cambodia Daily kidnapped

26 April 2012

Voice of Democracy

 


Environmental activist Chut Wutty shot dead

The Phnom Penh Post, 26 April 2012

 

 

Top Cambodian activist dead

after police shoot-out

Reuters, 26 April 2012

 


Logging in the wild west

The Phnom Penh Post, 21 Dec. 2011

In KI-Media, 26 April 2012


In a period of several hours beginning late on Sunday night, the Post witnessed at least nine industrial transport trucks, seven pick-up trucks and one Land Rover packed with timber drive out of Koh Kong province’s Thma Bang district in the CCPF on one road alone. Large numbers of trucks could also be heard using a nearby connecting road...

 

Villagers, loggers and conservationists have verified that Forestry Administration officials, military officers and rangers working in partnership with the NGO Conservation International are making no effort to stop the massive trade in protected rosewood...

 

Thuy Pet, 50, a former soldier from military division 5 now living in Thma Bang district’s Russey Chrum village, estimated that during peak logging periods, anywhere from 80 to 90 trucks carried timber out of the protected area every night. “I think nobody can stop this until they finish. When they finish, they will go to another area,” he said. Another villager, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that about 2,000 people were now logging in the area.

 


Environmental Activist Murdered—

“Let his life be our rallying cry!”

________________

Press Release

________________


Phnom Penh, 26 April 2012: We, at CIVICUS: Center for Cambodian Civic Education, condemn the cold-blooded murder of Mr. Chut Wutty, the president of Natural Resources Conservation Group, today at noon at Thmor Bang district of Koh Kong Province. He was on mission investigating the illegal logging in the protected areas of the Cardamon Mountains. His body is being transported to his family ancestral village in Kandal Province tonight.

 

CIVICUS Cambodia founding president Ms. Theary C. Seng states:


“I was just there at Thmor Bang last week at the invitation of the Honorable Son Chhay, SRP Member of Parliament, who asked me as a rights advocate to accompany him and his colleagues to investigate the illegal logging and environmental impact of the Chinese dam that is to begin construction next year. We had planned on a five-day stay in the protected areas of the Cardamon Mountains but due to rising security concerns, we left after three days.


“What happened today is meant to be a chilling message to us, the concerned citizens, the rights advocates: You mess with us, you pay with your life. However, let us send a message back: We will not be bowed!


“It is at moments like this that our voices—united, intelligent, strong, firm—are needed more than ever! We will not be bowed by greedy and violent cowards.


“In the honorable memory of Chut Wutty, we will not be silent; we will continue his legacy; we will honor him by continuing his advocacy for the protection of our forests, mountains, hills, lakes and seas; we will stand for all that is decent and good. We will not be silent. Let his life be our rallying cry!”

 

We express deep concern also for the welfare and whereabouts of two Cambodia Daily journalists who were reported to be with him when he was murdered. We demand timely, trustworthy investigation into the cold-blooded murder of Mr. Chut Wutty. We demand justice for his family, friends and the people of Cambodia.

 

To the family of Mr. Chut Wutty: Our prayers are with you in this most difficult time.

 

CIVICUS Cambodia will travel to Kandal Province tomorrow morning to pay respect and invites others to join us, departing at 8:30 a.m. from our office.


In KI-Media


. . .

 

CARVING UP CAMBODIA

 

One Concession at a Time

 

The Cambodia Daily 10-11 March 2012

 

. . .


As Cambodia’s Economy Grows,

Its Rainforest Disappears

Pulitzer Center, 4 April 2012

 

. . .



Stunning scenery of the Cardamon Mountains -- accompanied by Sin Sisamouth!

With its natural sound in KI-Media

. . .

 

A Monstrous Disaster in the Making

in the Stunning

Cardamon Mountains


(Phnom Kravanh in Khmer)


Koh Kong Province, Cambodia

 

In KI-Media


. . .

 

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

Sunday, 22 April 2012

 

. . .


BACKGROUND and CONTEXT

Other Chinese Dams in Cambodia wreaking havoc

 

Analysis:

Lessons from China's Dams

The Phnom Penh Post, 17 June 2011

(Excerpts)


The Three Gorges Dam has submerged 13 cities, 140 towns and 1,350 villages, and displaced more than 1.2 million people. Many resettlers were cheated out of their compensation payments and did not receive the new jobs or land that the government had promised. While some of the newly built towns have recovered from the initial shock of displacement, others are beset by widespread unemployment and impoverishment...

 

The Three Gorges Dam has served as a model for projects in Cambodia and many other countries. Three Gorges contractors such as Sinohydro and Gezhouba and other Chinese companies are currently building the Da Dai, Kamchay, Kirirom III, Lower Stung Russey, Stung Atay and Stung Tatay dams on Cambodian rivers. Chinese companies have also signed a memorandum of understanding to develop the Sambor Dam on the Mekong, and have proposed several projects on the Stung Cheay Areng and Srepok rivers.

 

What lesson does the Three Gorges Project hold as Cambodia considers its future hydropower strategy? First and foremost, the Yangtze dam shows that large dams on major rivers are massive interventions into highly complex ecosystems. Their impacts can occur thousands of kilometres away and many years after construction has been completed. It is impossible to predict and mitigate all social and environmental impacts of such projects.



The Dam(age) in Ratanakiri

Al Jazeera, 22 April 2012

In KI-Media


. . .


A Brief Report of the Visit to

Thmor Bang District

in Koh Kong Province

April 16 to 18, 2012

By Son Chhay, Member of Parliament, Sam Rainsy Party


. . .

MP urges government to scrap Koh Kong dam project

The Phnom Penh Post, 20 April 2012

In KI-Media

 

. . .


Go to Google Earth for more photos of the path we took in the Cardamon Mountains in Koh Kong Province these several days.


SAVE THE ARENG VALLEY!


Let us from today onward

with GREAT PERSISTENCE,

CONCENTRATION and SOLIDARITY,

here and overseas,

CAMPAIGN to stop the building of the dam in Areng River

which is slated to begin construction next year.

 

 

Overview


Cheay Areng Hydropower dam is located in Prolay and Chumnoab communes, Thmor Bang district, Koh Kong province.


Different conflicting dam specifications (Height 41 m, Depth 39 m).  These figures would produce a reservoir of 20,000 ha. basically the whole Areng Valley (all the images shown below!)


Another dam estimates of height 36.6 m, depth 15- 25 m will produce a reservoir of 9,474 ha.


2,624 ha of land belonging to 1,642 people (389 families) will impacted by the dam project. Of these, 899 people (189 families) from two villages in Chumnoab commune and four villages in Prolay commune will be resettled from the reservoir site to Veal Thom (large field) of the Elephants Corridor (of herds crossing). Many of these villagers are of Khmer Chorng ethnicity, who moved into the area over 600 years ago.

 

12,325.37 ha of land will be inundated, including paddy fields, agricultural land, forest, and household settlement. The clearing of forest in the Areng Valley will impact the biodiversity of this pristine area.

 

Biological Impacts: The upper Areng Valley is one of most important biologically diverse areas in Cambodia, with 277 species recorded in the valley, of which 31 mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and amphibians are globally threatened species, and 8 are classified as nationally protected species. Many of these species are found only in the upper reaches of the Areng River. For example, the fish fauna in this area is especially unique as it is one of only a few rivers in Cambodia not connected to the Mekong River Basin. It also contains approximately 30 percent of the global hatchling recruitment of the Siamese Crocodile, which is critically endangered.  Also endangered are Asian elephants, white-winged ducks, tortoises and freshwater turtles, Asian Arowana.  Serious impacts to fisheries. The habitat of these species will be lost with the construction of this dam.


 

. . .


The CPP-government of Cambodia (aka, Kingdom of Extraordinary Wonder or "Kew", pronounced "coo", and often in much excitement, exclaimed in rapid succession, Kew-Kew! Kew-Kew!) has granted the Chinese the rights to build 3 dams in the protected Cardamon Mountains in Koh Kong Province.

 

My first trip to Koh Kong was in 1997 when I was consulting with Legal Aid of Cambodia.  A retired Cambodian-American social worker from Oregon and I traveled to all the 20+ provinces in Cambodia to visit each provincial prison to assess the state of juveniles living there as convicts or as children of those convicted.


The condition and the welfare of juveniles in the Koh Kong prison in 1997 struck the most fear and concern for us, partly it was situated in the wild west frontier with limited access to it from other provinces.  We had to travel by boat from Kampong Som, and returned on land through remote dilapidated roads with periodic military checkpoints in the dense deep jungle.


And it was really jungle then!  Beginning in 1996, the Malaysian company had started with a fury to cut down "tiel" wood and only "tiel" (the large white elegant trees standing very straight and upright still found in the Angkor Wat / Angkor Thom compounds), but it was only then denting the thick, thick forested jungle cover.  When we traveled by car through Koh Kong in 1997, we hardly could see the sky due to the forested canopy.


Sixteen years later, no more! Little luxury wood of any kind left, especially with the continuing logging of rosewood by the local people assisted by the military, transported to Vietnam by barge and on land.  Still beautiful vistas, but nothing compared to what I encountered in 1997.  Most of the luxury wood have been sawed down and logged out of Cambodia to the neighboring countries.



DAY ONE

(Monday, 16 April 2012)

We were told by a local man that we could take the Tacoma truck from Thmor Bang to Areng, a distance of 25 km on rugged mountainous roads.  WRONG! WRONG!  WRONG! The road was impassable and did at least several thousands of dollars worth of damage to the truck!



Once in Koh Kong Province, from National Road 48 (ten km before Tatai), we turned right onto a red dirt road where we traveled past military posts for an hour before reaching Thmor Bang District in the Prolay Commune of Koh Kong.  Areng River valley where the dam will begin construction next year is another 25 km from Thmor Bang on extremely difficult mountainous road conditions (below).

Koh Kong 2012
Thmor Bang District at 504 m above sea level (Prolay Commune, Koh Kong Province, 16 April 2012)

Khum Prolay, Koh Kong 16 April 2012
The Wild West -- stopping to stock up on basic necessities at Thmor Bang village of 504-meter above sea level (Prolay District, Koh Kong, 16 April 2012)


The road from Thmor Bang District to Areng village (Prolay Commune, Koh Kong Province) in the heart of the Cardamon Mountains, the morning of 16 April 2012

Cardamon Mountains 2012
Tacoma truck stuck in the rugged road where elephants and pythons make their crossing in the Cardamon Mountains, 16 April 2012


Attempted rescue in the Cardamon Mountains
A couple of barang adventurers and local boys attempted to push the Tacoma from the mud, to no avail, 16 April 2012

Theary Seng Cardamon Mountains, 16 April 2012
Waiting for help.  Mardi Seng and Emily Keo  with a machete in hand walked on ahead to the next village of Areng to find a truck strong enough to pull the Tacoma out the mud.  It would take them 80 minutes to walk the 7 km distance.  Lauk Phirum Keo (armed with a pistol), HE Son Chhay and I stayed with the car.  Lauk Phirum thinking about cooking dinner), 16 April 2012

This nearby creek close to where we were stuck for hours is normally place of elephants and pythons crossing.  Yellow road signs of an elephant crossing are everywhere along the Koh Kong roads. Every other conversation turned on the fears of encountering elephants on our rugged mountain path, as these elephants are known to kill and trample everything in their path.  It had stamped to death recently a local man, most likely deaf, as he didn't heed the elephant's warning.  We are told to run in a zig-zagged pattern if we are chased by an elephant or elephants as their lumbering weight and size will slow them down in trying to zig-zag after us, and to throw pieces of items ( e.g. clothing) as we run as that would also slow them down for they will stop to stomp on every item.  Fortunately, we only saw their footprints of their passing of the night before; unfortunately, I really wanted to see them (from afar!) which amused everyone who thought I was so naive in my love of elephants. Well, the only elephant I know in real life is the now-retired, lovable Sambo of Wat Phnom!


Ominous rain clouds -- several thundering lightning flashes and sprinkles, but we were fortunate not to encounter rain during our 3 days -- nor elephants nor pythons where they normally cross at a creek near to  where we got stuck.

Russian "water crocodile" army truck
Russian ("water elephant" or hippopotamus) army truck used for illegal logging, now to our rescue in pulling the Tacoma out of the mud (Cardamon Mountains in Koh Kong, 16 April 2012)


The Russian ("water elephant" or hippopotamus) army truck to our rescue, normally a transporter of illegal rosewood (Koh Kong, 16 April 2012)



Rescued!  By the Russian ("water elephant" or hippopotamus) army truck owned by "Beau" normally used to transport illegal logs from the Cardamon Mountains, 16 April 2012.  Two days later, Beau (who normally lives in Phnom Penh)  followed us to Prolay Pagoda with this same Russian truck under the pretext that his wife wanted to see this pagoda for the first time.

Cardamon Mountains 2012
Returning to Thmor Bang village after an unsuccessful attempt driving through by the Tacoma truck, 16 April 2012

Theary Seng in Cardamon Mountains
After the rescue, we encountered more problems return to Thmor Bang... now in the shroud of darkness (Cardamon Mountains, 16 April 2012)

Theary Seng in the Cardamon Mountains April 2012


 

 


Returning to Thmor Bang village after our road block where the Tacoma truck got stuck at the elephants/pythons crossing in the middle of the deep Cardamon Mountains (Koh Kong, 16 April 2012)

 


DAY TWO

Tuesday, 17 April 2012


We decided not to stay at the only guesthouse in the whole village as it's owned by the village chief.  After the encounter with Beau, the man who owns the Russian "water elephant" army truck and an alleged chief logger of the region, and who became more and more suspicious of our presence and intentions, we didn't want to take any chances.  So, we stayed at a villager's home, a supporter of the Sam Rainsy Party.

 


My bed of the night before at villager's home.


The next morning, we retraced the path we took yesterday in the truck but this time as a caravan of 5 motorbikes of 10 people, plus supplies to last us for at least 2 days. We finally set out at approx. 9 a.m.


Thmor Bang, Koh Kong
The main road where truckloads transport illegal logging nightly starting from 3 a.m. till early morning.  Not recently due to Khmer New Year and the public protest of SRP candidates in the region.


My "I'm so rugged" look! (Thmor Bang district, Prolay commune, Koh Kong province, morning of 17 April 2012)

Theary Seng in the Cardamon Mountains
After half an hour into the trip from Thmor Bang district, my motorbike hit a sharp object and exploded the back tire.  HE Son Chhay and I went on ahead; Mardi, lauk Phirum, Emily stayed behind to deal with the disabled motorbike.

Theary Seng in the Cardamon Mountains
The motorbike should not have crossed through the puddle, as it was deep and drowned the engine of the motorbike.  Another uncertainty which lasted another 30 minutes of fixing (Prolay commune, Koh Kong Province, 17 April 2012)


HE Son Chhay's motorbike engine drowning from the muddy puddle.


The motorbike broke down again

 

 

Safe arrival at our destination: Prolay Pagoda

 


Wat Prolay, Koh Kong
I finally arrived safely into Prolay Pagoda at 10:40 a.m., followed by HE Son Chhay another half hour later.  Mardi, lauk Phirum and Emily would not arrive until 2:30 p.m.  We had lost complete contact with them during those long hours of uncertainty and in the remote, dangerous terrain of illegal loggers, venomous creatures, stampeding elephants and threatening weather on already difficult roads far from repair shops.



HE Son Chhay, Theary Seng, Christian missionary Thok Na, and a Khmer-speaking barang


My bed for that night


Relaxing in my hammock


Our sleeping quarters -- the monks' dining hall at Prolay Pagoda.

 

 

Visits with the people in the villages beyond the pagoda -- Samrong and Ta Ngel

 

Areng Valley soon to be a reservoir
ArengValley where the dam will turn it into a reservoir, 17 April 2012 (Photo: Emily Keo)


Our motor drivers waiting as we met with a family living in Samrong village, a 10-minute ride from Prolay Pagoda (Koh Kong, 17 April 2012)


The Russian ("water elephant" or hippopotamus) army truck used for logging, here behind the home of the family we visited in Samrong village (Koh Kong, 17 April 2012)



On the way to Ta Ngel village from Prolay Pagoda (Koh Kong, 17 April 2012)


(Photo: Emily Keo, 17 April 2012)


Our motor drivers waiting as we met with indigenous Chorng people at Ta Ngel village (Koh Kong, 17 April 2012)


An indigenous Chorng man meeting with us at Ta Ngel village (Koh Kong, 17 April 2012)

Areng Valley, Theary Seng, Son Chhay, Chorng man
(Photo: Emily Keo, 17 April 2012)


Video of Ta Ngel village

 

 

Crocodile Watching Night Adventure


A group of 10-12 of us (of local boys, two "barangs", and my brother, a friend's daughter and me) decided to go crocodile watching; we were told the best chance of seeing them is at night. So armed only with flashlights and cheap plastic shoes at $2.50/pair and long socks, we forged ahead -- half hour on the motorbikes/mountain bikes, and another 45-60 minute on foot into the deep jungle swamp in the pitch black night, we arrived at the first watching point... No crocodiles.

 

We fought our way through the darkness and vines and thorns--the habitat of vipers, pythons, ground leeches, poisonous spiders etc.--still no crocodiles, even though there were excitement of someone who believed to have seen a pair of glowing red eyes. After a few more locations and another hour or so, we returned home.

 

All of us unharmed, except for a brief concern about the leaking gas tank of a motorbike, and my brief fall off the log path into the river we were crossing (no ground or water leeches attached to me all night -- Thank God!!).

 

On the main road, we encountered a rare Asian viper, coiled up in the middle of our path back to the pagoda where we were staying for night.

 

The next day, I found out the real situation of the swamp area we were in last night -- that it is the main habitat of vipers, pythons and other venomous creatures. If I had known this beforehand or if we had made the trip during the day time, I would not have gone on this adventure. But it was one of the best adventures I've done since hang gliding in South Africa in 1999! The LORD's protection was/is so tangible!  A friend gave me Psalm 91 which fittingly described my fears and comfort!





The local boys traveling with us on the night adventure to watch for crocodiles caught a civet along the way, which they let go upon our pleading (Koh Kong, 17 April 2012)

Theary Seng in the Cardamon Mountains
The crocodile swamp we visited the night before (Koh Kong, 18 April 2012)


Areng River where the crocodiles live (Koh Kong, 18 April 2012)



Day Three

Wednesday, 18 April 2012

 

Visit with people living in Chrork Russei village


On the way to visit indigenous Chorng people living in the Chrork Russei village (Koh Kong, 18 April 2012)


 

Returning to Thmor Bang village  via Areng village



Lauk Phirum Keo, the original Indiana Jones (Koh Kong, 18 April 2012)


Water buffaloes, well-fed on the verdant fields and lazy! (Koh Kong, 18 April 2012)


On the way back, my motorbike's brakes fell off.  Here my driver is bottling stream water to cool down the engine (Koh Kong, 18 April 2012)

Elephant footprint where truck broke down
Footprint of an elephant one day later, where our truck broke down (Photo: Emily Keo, 18 April 2012)


Getting off of motorbike to walk, as the driver passes the rickety bridge first (Koh Kong, 18 April 2012)

 


Back on the National Road 48 to return to Phnom Penh

 


National Road 48 in Koh Kong, 18 April 2012


The political operatives -- SRP Member of Parliament Son Chhay, SRP activists and provincial councilors Phirum Keo and Mardi Seng (Koh Kong, 18 April 2012)










 

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1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 Francois Ponchaud, a French Jesuit who had diligently chronicled the destructiveness of the Khmer Rouge in his book "Cambodia: Year Zero," maintained that the Vietnamese were conducting a [ ... ]


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