A picture of the dead body of a young female traffic accident victim lying on the street. Is this an image from one of Cambodia's infamously graphic local newspapers? No, it is page 5 of the November 16 English-language Phnom Penh Post, and the editorial decision to use it has outraged many in the expatriate community.
Pascal Brandt-Gagnon is general manager of Asia Insurance (Cambodia). In January 2005 Asia Insurance became the first and only company in Cambodia to offer Bankers Blanket Bond (BBB) insurance. In January 2006, Acleda, Cambodia's leading micro-finance bank, purchased BBB insurance and saw deposits increase dramatically in the ensuing weeks. Brandt-Gagnon spoke to Cat Barton about Cambodia's anti-insurance mentality, the lack of public confidence in the banking sector, and the impact of introducing BBB insurance to the country.
What is a Bankers Blanket Bond?
There was a time, not so long ago, when International Women's Day would have passed in Cambodia without most people noticing. But its significance is recognized by more people now with each passing year.
On March 17th, more than 200 women gathered at a Women Leaders reception to celebrate International Women's Day..
The reception was hosted by four ambassadors and the head of the World Bank in Cambodia- all of whom are women
Most days, Miz Nazeat is a humble fisherman, plying his trade on the Tonle Sap and Tonle Bassac rivers of Phnom Penh. But when the police call, he takes up a second job. Nazeat is the man who finds bodies and hauls them out of the river.
The Japanese Bridge has become the capital's Lover's Leap. Every month, at least on star-crossed lover manages to evade police placed along its span and throw themselves into the fast-flowing currents of the Tonle Sap.
New option for parents at Monument
Weary parents who want to get the kids out of the house for school holidays now have a new option after Monument Books on Norodom Boulevard unveiled the new Java Tea Room in cooperation with Java Café.
The cosy café adjoins a new toyshop area where kids can spend hours browsing through genuine Barbie and Matchbox toys as well as a range of other dolls and accessories. Next to this is a huge selection of children's books for kids of all ages.
Cambodian silk is back in the limelight. Kashaya Silk founder Catherine Théron tells Charlotte Lancaster how hand weaving techniques are giving Khmer artisans an edge.
With rising food prices weighing heavily on the wallets of Cambodia's human population, decades of war and human encroachment have also left the revered Asian Elephant hungry for survival, and the two groups are struggling to find a balance. Charlotte Lancaster talks about human-elephant conflict in Cambodia.
At the Angkor Thom temple in Siem Reap, the magnificent 11th century stone Elephant Terrace pays homage to Cambodia's long history of honoured reverence for this mighty mammal.
Life starts early on the Tonle Sap. With the first glimmers of light creeping over the horizon come the first sounds of distant diesel engines coughing and spluttering their way towards Sisowath Quay. Eerie silhouettes emerge from the darkness to reveal small fishing vessels of the simplest construction. The engine cuts out and the boat glides towards the riverbank.
Over the last two weeks we've seen the Environmental Film Festival, the Refugee Film Festival, and Cambofest. Now that the dust has settled, Cambofest has presented some awards to their entrants. Two standouts were a locally produced animated vignette and a biographical drama on Ros Sereysothea.
With no English speaking cinemas in Phnom Penh and only one bowling alley, watching television and DVDs plays a large part in 99% of expatriate's lives. It is a great way to unwind and relax and most expats have a DVD library that would put your average Video Ezy to shame. Many people go all the way and buy huge wall-mounted flat screen televisions and one chap I know even has a couple of rows of leather seats set-up and a popcorn machine so his mates can have a true cinema-style experience.