Monday, November 02, 2009

Beehive Radio Owner Dons Monk Robes

Monk Mam Sonando.
Monk Mam Sonando hopes to build a haven on the border for villagers in Chup Koki.

By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
02 November 2009


Mam Sonando, the 69-year-old owner of an independent radio station in Phnom Penh, took up his monk’s robes on Monday to lead a 30-day peace march from Phnom Penh to areas near the disputed border.

Mam Sonando, along with 10 Buddhist monks and 10 nuns, began walking from his Beehive Radio studio in Phnom Penh, with plans to continue through the provinces of Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, and Oddar Meanchey, a journey of nearly 600 kilometers.

Mam Sonando, who was jailed in 2006 under anti-defamation laws, told VOA Khmer he hoped to build a haven on the border for villagers of Chup Koki, “to avoid border issues with the Thai side,” and to prevent reported killings by Thai border authorities.

Having saved $80,000 from overseas and local donations, he said, he wanted to build a pagoda, hospital and school for the poor.

Ruling party lawmaker Cheam Yiep said he welcomed the plan, “if this act follows the advice of the Buddha.”

Mam Sonando was a monk at the Bak Nam pagoda, in Svay Rieng province, in 2002.

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

I would like to wish Monk Mam Sonando for his dream to be successfull. He is a real good role model Cambodian citizen. He has all my respected and my trust.

Areak Prey

Anonymous said...

I think once his fat cell is melting ,he'll be out of monkhood.Monks don't eat dinner.Way to go mam sonondo.

Anonymous said...

at least he is doing something good for the villagers along the borders.

Anonymous said...

Can those fools leave Buddhis a
lone?

Wearing yello robe not making you a monk!

Stay as a monk in one day or a week not make you a monk ether!

Get it fools?

Anonymous said...

Mam Sonando,is a monk now?
What happened for his first,Second,third?,four,and maybe five wife? Who is going to take care for them?.
He is a good role model for khmer? with maybe five wife right now!He is not king yet!,and he has maybe five in the same time!
We give him 2-3 wife that O.K,but if he has more then 3 he is not O.K?
It is O.K for US? If he has 5 wife?
UPC

Anonymous said...

lucky son of bitch!

Anonymous said...

You know? you don't understand! You know? I don'y know too!

Anonymous said...

fucken ah siam lucky son of bitch!

Anonymous said...

Msy Buddha bless Monk Mam Sonondo.

Anonymous said...

they should not take buddism...as a joke...and do some stupid things....don't act as monk...you have to be monk...and be a good monk...that what we encounter problem in our country now....buddism is a very good religion...but people use this religion a joke...or do something for their own purpose...how sad...and now we don't know who is really a monk.....

Anonymous said...

Khmer in Cambodia know him well,His X-worker? people that used to work for him?,But Mr.Mam Sonando told us that O.K and no problem because he take care good? not like some people has just one or two wife,but do not take a good care?
We don't know how he got the money and how he take care those lady?
He makes good money not like us,it is very difficult to make money.
In our country now ;if you have money ;it means you have almost everything which you want?

Anonymous said...

We knew he( Mam Sonando) was a monk one time before ,and we don't know for how long he stayed at that time,but now the second time for him? and for how long he will be stay?
Like in Long Beach,Calif. USA (Willow St.)one monk and then gone for many many month and than our monk again?

Anonymous said...

Buddha bless you!

Anonymous said...

We cannot blame his personal problems for not being a role model of Cambodian citizen at all. There are many role model.
1-Good husband
2-Good father
3-Good buddhist
4-Good politician
etc...
I called him good role model of good citizen.

Areak Prey

Anonymous said...

hey, i give him credit. at least he knows how to change strategy, ok!

Anonymous said...

At least the monk want to do something good for others. Not just sit around and chat none stop.

Anonymous said...

Have a good trip to border!!

Anonymous said...

I give him credit too for knowing too well how to do demagogy like Sihanouk among the poor and elderly by using your money. On numerous occassions, before election, this man had destroyed Khmer chance to win fair election. He should continue to collect money to help the poor and build temple but shut up about giving advice on politic.

Anonymous said...

Most of you very good to complant each other, but not smart to complant about Youn government try to control khmer government, the Monk at least he have and idea to build the temple near the border to protect from Siam.

Don't you think some of you can do like Monk Sonondo? You guy seat and do not thing, living in the 3 rd country and full a round.

Anonymous said...

11:35 - Your statemnent kind of overstated. Building temple at the border alone will not protect from Siam. Mom Sonando knows this too well that he can convince Khmers heart to vote for him for next election.

Anonymous said...

... Most khmer politicians, Before and after they become politrik, they become monk like Mam Sonando to recieve respect and well known to be politriked. Mam Sonando have no hope for His HRP with Kem Sokha in 2013 election, because HRP have no more resources, and Human Resourses plus SRP did not talk to them as partnership because SRP have enough maney and Human resourses and we don't need Kem Sokha to join SRP for what? divide some power?.
Their ship will be sinking in center of the Pacific ocean soon.

Anonymous said...

Will he( Monk sonando) under the watchful eyes of Chomkuot TEP VONG?.And did he really have 5 wives?.If he did, the man must be a sex maniac.He must be inspired by sdach sihanouk.

Anonymous said...

6:17 AM ,remember, yuons use Buddhism and other religions, preach false superstitions, rumors to kill khmer because yuons think khmer people are dams ass believers who ready to believe any fuken things and even they are fucken killed, they don’t search to understand anything beside fuken kama again preach by yuons

While khmer are monks or believe anything, they are true and honest, not the fuken yuons

Anonymous said...

In 1998 Mam Sonando was runing his party , but no win? now he 69years old and 2013 he will be 72 years old;We think he should retire ?

son of a farmer said...

My beloved 1:40PM!

ye confidently saying, in order to be highly successful in Khmer PoliSick, ye must be once became a monk? How about SenVarman? He once was a temple boy, not a monk?

Nowadays, any killer can simply become a leader of Khmer, 'cause this era is the ants eat fish or the broken glass floats on the water!

Anonymous said...

WOW his monkhood! I'm just wonder how about his FIVE VIVES and his HUMMER LUXRY SUV? Who would take care of that all? Is he more credible as a monk to collect money to help the poors along the border? Would we give him a chance? for us to be able to go to the paradise with him? Driving a HUMMER and supporting 5 women... He beats everyone in Cambodia.

Anonymous said...

Stop playing with our religion, Fool motherfuckers!

Anonymous said...

He's the best man in CAMBODIA!
He's the only one we trust!
He help all those poor today!

Anonymous said...

6:44AM! best man for your mother ?

Anonymous said...

We do not trust that man 72 years old with a lot of women get along , and he look down US that has one wife and can't taking care well?
UPC.

Anonymous said...

Some of the comments are pretty harsh. I find it very diffult to read. I understand the ignorance of one's negativity. As a nephew, I have a great repect for him not because he is my uncle. But his passion and commitment for his people. Before you can make any negative comments please do your research properly. I urge all Khmers to support and be proud of your heritige. Therefore our country will prosper. Buddah Bless!!!!!!