Wat Phnom (Photo: Wikitravel.org)06 November 2006
By San Suwith
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy
Cambodge Soir reported that Wat Phnom, one of the main tourist attractions in Phnom Penh, is currently turned into a business location for prostitutes, especially during the Water Festival.
The newspaper indicates that Wat Phnom, in addition of being a refuge for groups of monkeys, is also becoming a rendez-vous pass between prostitutes and their male clients in search for sex. When the price is right, they usually leave in “moto doop” (motorcycle taxi) in search for a hotel room, most likely in Boeung Kok.
However, since the Phnom Penh municipality has installed long benches in the park, at nighttime, Wat Phnom, a sacred place for Phnom Penh residents, is turning into temporary heavens for the prostitutes and their clients.
Prak Samnang, the deputy director of the Khan Daun Penh heritage, said that these people are illegally practicing their business, even though the business deal does not last more than 10 to 15 minutes long. Nevertheless, such actions can bring shame to the country because there are many foreign tourists who come to visit Phnom Penh, and some no longer want to see Wat Phnom anymore (because of the outdoor prostitution business conducted there).
Furthermore, women no longer dare stroll in the park or read books in the park because they are afraid that men would take them as sex workers.
The newspaper indicates that Wat Phnom, in addition of being a refuge for groups of monkeys, is also becoming a rendez-vous pass between prostitutes and their male clients in search for sex. When the price is right, they usually leave in “moto doop” (motorcycle taxi) in search for a hotel room, most likely in Boeung Kok.
However, since the Phnom Penh municipality has installed long benches in the park, at nighttime, Wat Phnom, a sacred place for Phnom Penh residents, is turning into temporary heavens for the prostitutes and their clients.
Prak Samnang, the deputy director of the Khan Daun Penh heritage, said that these people are illegally practicing their business, even though the business deal does not last more than 10 to 15 minutes long. Nevertheless, such actions can bring shame to the country because there are many foreign tourists who come to visit Phnom Penh, and some no longer want to see Wat Phnom anymore (because of the outdoor prostitution business conducted there).
Furthermore, women no longer dare stroll in the park or read books in the park because they are afraid that men would take them as sex workers.
6 comments:
And Hun Sen's phnom Penh governor (Kep Chop Dollar) do not know how to do about it?
Put light on and have police walk the area all the time!
In the morning have program give pinic to school chidren!
Alot og good people shove up there will be no privacy for bad one!
As you Hun Sen gov is so busy ,they try to help Viet to vote.He have no time for Khmer...
Wat Phnom is a sacred place?
Oh well not anymore!
It’s disheartening to hear Wat Phnom’s turning into a place where prostitutes conduct their business. The word “Wat” (temple) means a lot to me. It’s a sacred religious place of values, culture and moral. I would think every Khmer people would know that but my feelings toward this can only sum with one word “Karma”.
Most prostitutes in Cambodia are Vietnameses. I don't think they care about cambodian temple, all they care about is the money they make and send it back to Vietname.
1:02am you're so right on this. These are the sleezy Viet woman ruining our image in cambodia. Now they target our religious institution.
Post a Comment