The real Cambodia?

The one thing that everybody knows is that Cambodians are a gentle people. Forget about the Khmer Rouge, when it was kill or be killed, and people used machetes because bullets were precious. As an foreigner, the people smile and seem almost shy. Tourists declare that Cambodians are so kind and gentle. I do not disagree but I think that this is a veneer on the anger and pain that is in every facet of society. There is horrific violence between Cambodians.

I have just read through four days worth of newspapers and saw several references to child rape and subsequent murder often by members of the victim's family. The anger in Cambodia is almost palpable. Some examples are below.

• On suspicion of stealing a gold necklace, a 25 year old man was beaten to death despite being in police custody
• Two suspected chicken thieves were hacked to death
• Policemen beat up two children and a political activist
• A 12 year old boy was jailed for raping a 9 year old girl
  

This is an uncommon week - normally there are wife-beatings, shooting of beer girls, greater numbers of child rape and murder. The unfortunate conclusion is that the crimes are being under reported.

The people are gentle but it is skin deep.