Tasik Chini, a Lost City of Khmer empire?

The pyramid-like hills near Tasik Chini have sparked interest in the legend of a lost civilisation.

Lost City of Khmer Empire - Tasik Chini, North of K. Lumpur

10 December 2007
Bernama

PEKAN: The existence of seven pyramid-like hills near Tasik Chini has again sparked interest in the legend of a lost civilisation in the area that could date back to the 12th century.

While there is no proof that the hills are man-made, there is a possibility that it is part of a lost city or may at least shed some light on the mystery.

It is long believed that the ancient city could only be found in the depths of the lake. This is based on a theory that the area was inundated with water after the fall of the Khmer empire, of which the city was a part of in the 15th century.

Although many people have made claims of a sunken city, little effort has been made to unravel the mystery. Based on pieces of porcelain found in the area, the city could have been built when the Khmer empire was at the height of its power.

The Khmer empire was ruled, between 802 and 1432, by a succession of "god kings" and had its capital in Siem Reap, Cambodia, where the famed Angkor Wat temple complex stands.

According to a villager, the "pyramid" was more evident when one of the unique hills in Padang Kerbau was cleared by a plantation company recently.

9th Meeting of the High-Level Panel on an ASEAN Human Rights Body

Representatives of the Cambodian civil society participated in the meeting: Ou Virak (L) and Pa Nguon Tieng (2nd from R).
Missing: Om Yen Tieng, Cambodian government representative. A lower level government official was sent in to "listen" to the meeting.
Members of the Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism.
Members of the High Level Panel of ASEAN meets with Civil Society Groups on March 20, 2009 in Kuala Lumpur discussing the term of reference (TOR) that set out the establishment of an ASEAN Human Rights Body. The first draft of the TOR was submitted to the ASEAN Summit earlier this year in Thailand but was not made public due to objection by Cambodian Foreign Minister. The Civil Society Groups raised this issue among number other concerns during the meeting as non disclosure prevent input from the people which undermining the principle of the "people-centered ASEAN".

Prince Ranariddh lives in a small condo apartment on the fifth floor of a building in Kuala Lumpur

Thursday, August 2, 2007
Rasmei Kampuchea newspaper
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Contrary to his opulent life he used to have in Phnom Penh, Prince Ranariddh is currently living with Mrs Uk Phalla and his cherished son in a small condo apartment in Kuala Lumpur.

A reliable source told us, on 01 August, that the prince bought a small condo in Kuala Lumpur. The condo is located on the fifth floor of a building, and it has 3 bedrooms and a living room. The same source indicated that because of the condo is too small for him, the prince plans to move out from there. The condo he is currently living with Mrs Uk Phalla and their son, costs a few tens of thousands of dollars only.

Muth Chantha, NRP spokesman, declined to comment on the private life of the prince by saying that he is only a spokesman who is involved in political affairs only.

Looking at his condo in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the prince lost his opulent lifestyle he used to have in Phnom Penh.

In Cambodia, the prince liked to maintain an opulent and happy lifestyle. The prince was often seen eating at the Topaz restaurant which serves expensive French foods, as well as in Chinese restaurants such as the Ting Ting restaurant. Furthermore, he prince used to live large villas in Veal Sbov and Tuol Kok in Cambodia, but now that his political life is on the downturn, his private life seems to be dragged down with it as well.