Using time-honoured techniques, Phnom Penh-based fortune teller San Vannah attempts to prognosticate what the next 12 months may bring for Cambodia and its 14 million citizens. (Photo by: Heng Chivoan)Monday, 04 January 2010
Khouth Sophakchakrya
The Phnom Penh Post
Plagues of insects and civil strife loom; but govt says master plan for development will keep peace
THE start of the new calendar year, an event typically met with vows of reform and expressions of optimism, has in recent days occasioned a flurry of dire predictions from astrologers, who say that everything from swarms of destructive insects to faltering social mores will conspire to sow the seeds of national turmoil.
“Everything this year will be worse than last year,” said San Vannak, 53, a fortune teller who works in front of the Royal Palace. “Many people and also cattle will die from epidemic diseases and disasters such as floods, storms and droughts, all of which will be caused by climate change.”
He said five provinces in particular would be affected by inclement weather: Battambang, Kampot, Prey Veng, Pursat and Siem Reap.
Im Borin, director of the National Committee of Khmer Customs and Horoscopes at the Ministry of Cults and Religions, said he was concerned about crop yields.
“The farmers must take care of the crops they have already harvested because crops this year will not be good,” he said, adding that “about half of the vegetable and fruit crops will be destroyed” by insects.
He went on to predict a rash of human casualties as a result of declining “social morality”.
“There will be many people killing each other,” he said.
“Social morality will be reduced throughout society, and there will be a lot of rage from the evictees, who are increasing in number.”
Vay Vibol, a member of Im Borin’s committee and the Post’s Khmer edition astrologer, said he agreed with the predictions for the agriculture sector, though he was more sanguine about development prospects in general.
“Cambodia might not be in turmoil,” he said, adding: “As astrologers, we make these predictions using the ancient books of astrology, but we don’t know for sure if they will be true or false.”
For his part, Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan said he was unfazed by the astrologers’ statements.
“We have never been interested in the predictions of astrologers because we believe in our master plan and strategy for the development of the country,” he said. “We have accountability and flexibility to respond to circumstances and ensure social sustainability.”
THE start of the new calendar year, an event typically met with vows of reform and expressions of optimism, has in recent days occasioned a flurry of dire predictions from astrologers, who say that everything from swarms of destructive insects to faltering social mores will conspire to sow the seeds of national turmoil.
“Everything this year will be worse than last year,” said San Vannak, 53, a fortune teller who works in front of the Royal Palace. “Many people and also cattle will die from epidemic diseases and disasters such as floods, storms and droughts, all of which will be caused by climate change.”
He said five provinces in particular would be affected by inclement weather: Battambang, Kampot, Prey Veng, Pursat and Siem Reap.
Im Borin, director of the National Committee of Khmer Customs and Horoscopes at the Ministry of Cults and Religions, said he was concerned about crop yields.
“The farmers must take care of the crops they have already harvested because crops this year will not be good,” he said, adding that “about half of the vegetable and fruit crops will be destroyed” by insects.
He went on to predict a rash of human casualties as a result of declining “social morality”.
“There will be many people killing each other,” he said.
“Social morality will be reduced throughout society, and there will be a lot of rage from the evictees, who are increasing in number.”
Vay Vibol, a member of Im Borin’s committee and the Post’s Khmer edition astrologer, said he agreed with the predictions for the agriculture sector, though he was more sanguine about development prospects in general.
“Cambodia might not be in turmoil,” he said, adding: “As astrologers, we make these predictions using the ancient books of astrology, but we don’t know for sure if they will be true or false.”
For his part, Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan said he was unfazed by the astrologers’ statements.
“We have never been interested in the predictions of astrologers because we believe in our master plan and strategy for the development of the country,” he said. “We have accountability and flexibility to respond to circumstances and ensure social sustainability.”
13 comments:
My prediction in this New Year will bring the collapse and disaster to the CPP. The leaders of the CPP will be brought to KR tribunal to be trialed along Sihanouk for killings Khmer people during Khmer Rouge regime and current regime. After that Khmer nation will be replaced with the new leader, Mr. Sam Rainsy.
Khmer people will stand up against CPP and topple them from power. It is called People Power Revolution.
12:28 AM
You have a good prediction and good comment! Yep, my prediction and wish is same as yours that CPP and its puppets will vanish from power and Sam Rainsy will return to run the county. Var Kimhong, on the other hand, will be fired, jailed and ban from returning to head the border commitee any more because it is very clear that Var Kimhong was fighting for Yuons.
I've never believed in fortune teller, they are Hor Dak Khear or Fortune lier..!
Now,
Khmers know that CPP are betraying Cambodians.
Khmers know that CPP members are traitors.
CPP proves itself that it works for Yuons.
That is the end year of CPP.
1:25am ISUP TO YOU BUT HORODCOPE IS ASCIENT THAT HAVE BEEN OBSERVE FOR 1000 AND 1000 OF YEARS!
Climate change will affect everything, from weir weather to abundant of unwanted insects. Social strife? Can't see it will happen
DID HE KNOW THAT HUN SEN WILL DIE TOMORROW AT WHAT TIME?
People around the world have believed in this; Go around and come around. For those who have committed with bad deeds, they will have to pay their price before the end of their lives. Their children and their descendants will face condemnations from history and God to suffer for many generations with hardship and ignorance. CPP members and theri supporters will be collapsed for sure. They are the worst animals in this planet for serving their Nation'ennemy and causing their people and their Nation to suffer.
Khmer King in the past used to believed in Hor Ra nonsense" the fortune teller" the king believed so much, that's why they lost a huge lands empier to neighbors...
"p'oot neou hor -- chor neou cheang". With all due respect to my elders, if these astrologers were so good why did they not foresee the collapse of property prices in Cambodia? come on! if they did they would have made quite a bit of money.
^^^you are absolutely right! Poot nov neung Hor_ Chor nov neung Cheang...yes! i was told by these fortune lier once! that i will win lottery, a big jackpot last year..?
Yep, still broke and laid off...!
Fortune teller= lier
Lawyer= lier
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