TheMekongRedDiary

On my recent field trip to Koh Kong province, I got the chance to expose myself to the beauty of nature at the mangrove protected eco-tourist site in Peam Krosob located not far from Koh Kong provincial town. It is a good moment to recall the memories of such trip last year on almost the same dates. After the trip, what remains in me is the appreciation of the richness of our nature and its beauty that we as the citizens of the earth should always be protected for our next generation. When one wanders around the concrete bridge that lead the tourists into the mangrove area, one cannot stop our mind and self from appreciating the spectacular beauty of nature. The water is so clear and calm is reflecting against the greenly beauty of the mangroves. Mangrove areas are the nest and spaces for the numerous sea resources particularly home for shrimps and crabs. Along the bridge, if one looks close enough into the water, s/he will see that there are so many fish swimming around in crowd and...

March 8 2010 marked the 99th anniversary of the International Women's Day all over the world. The world is celebrating the day, highlighting the achievement made to improve the women's rights situation, rights of the workers, and continue the emphasis on the women's right violation in many part of the earth. I was joining in a small celebration of my fellow colleauges who after so much hard work were able to put out an event of the International women's day focusing on women's rights to employement. I was listeninig to talk about the difficult working conditions of women garment factory workers in which the boss keep continue to employed under short term contract work ranging from one to three to six months basis. This is the way to keep workers unders control of the capitalist and prevent them from organising and strengthening their bargaining power for better working condition and a living wages. The fascinating event ended sadly for me as another shocking event ...

December should be a nice weather time for many part of Cambodia but last December 2009, it was not. I was on a mission to Banteay Meanchey province during the last week of December and had the opportunity to see how my Cambodian fellow’s life is over there. This area was formerly occupied by Khmer Rouge and was integrated to Cambodia the latest in 1998. People might wonder that being the latest area to be re-integrated, people here must all be the former KR soldiers. The answer is ‘yes’ and ‘no’. There are considerable amount of migrant families settled in the areas and less than 50% of the population of the village I visited are the local people. I met with one family with seven children who is living in a remote village just about 1Km from Cambodia Thai border in Malay district. The couple looks not older than 40 years old but they have 7 children and the oldest son is 17 years old. We saw five children with them while visiting, none of which attend formal education. The eldest ...