Cambodian flags in a dilapidated state, they bring shame to Cambodia, especially when they are so close to the border with Thailand (Photo: Samrong, Koh Santepheap newspaper)Monday, January 21, 2008
Koh Santepheap newspaper
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Oddar Meanchey Province - The block of rock on top of which flagpoles bearing Cambodian flags on top of the Dangrek Mountain, located next to the Cambodian-Thai border, nears Choam border gate, Cheung Phnom village, Trapeang Prey commune, Anlong Veng district, Oddar Meanchey province, should not be neglected until the Cambodian flags, which represent the Cambodian soul, turned into such a pitiful state like this.
According to report by local people living on top of the Dangrek Mountain, they observed that the local authority and officials from all departments based at the Choam Cambodian-Thai border gate, do not pay much to the national flags which represent the Cambodian soul. To the contrary, these officials were too busy looking for bribe monies to enrich themselves only, even when the national flags are completely torn up. The torn Cambodian flags bring shame to us, in the eyes of the neighboring country, and these torn flags are located only about 60-meter from the border, next to National Road No. 67. It has been about 1-year already that these government officials have neglected these flags, turned a blind eye to them, and avoided replacing them.
An anonymous low-ranking police officer also criticized this situation, saying that the high-ranking officials based at the border gate, do not pay attention on this issue. They only concentrate on collecting bribes for personal gain, and they never fail to neglect such (corrupt) action. The low-ranking police officer added that the National flag represents the Cambodian Nation soul and it is very important. But yet, nobody pay attention them, and they were neglected and allowed to become all torn up, this bring shame to Cambodia in the eyes of other nations. The Thai flags are maintained in a perfect condition all the time, because the Thai pay attention to this detail, and they have strong conviction for their nation also. The public who travel across this border gate, as well as low-ranking government officials, ask local officials and government officials responsible for this border gate to look closely at our national flags, because as they are right now, they are not even worth using as rags to clean table, how could they still be raised up boasting in such pitiful condition?
According to report by local people living on top of the Dangrek Mountain, they observed that the local authority and officials from all departments based at the Choam Cambodian-Thai border gate, do not pay much to the national flags which represent the Cambodian soul. To the contrary, these officials were too busy looking for bribe monies to enrich themselves only, even when the national flags are completely torn up. The torn Cambodian flags bring shame to us, in the eyes of the neighboring country, and these torn flags are located only about 60-meter from the border, next to National Road No. 67. It has been about 1-year already that these government officials have neglected these flags, turned a blind eye to them, and avoided replacing them.
An anonymous low-ranking police officer also criticized this situation, saying that the high-ranking officials based at the border gate, do not pay attention on this issue. They only concentrate on collecting bribes for personal gain, and they never fail to neglect such (corrupt) action. The low-ranking police officer added that the National flag represents the Cambodian Nation soul and it is very important. But yet, nobody pay attention them, and they were neglected and allowed to become all torn up, this bring shame to Cambodia in the eyes of other nations. The Thai flags are maintained in a perfect condition all the time, because the Thai pay attention to this detail, and they have strong conviction for their nation also. The public who travel across this border gate, as well as low-ranking government officials, ask local officials and government officials responsible for this border gate to look closely at our national flags, because as they are right now, they are not even worth using as rags to clean table, how could they still be raised up boasting in such pitiful condition?
