Cambodia Gets a Bad Rep
If you ask most Americans what they know about Cambodia, you might get any of the following responses; "Isn't that where Angelina Jolie's kid is from?" to ""Isn't that where Angkor Wat is?" to "That's the country next to Nigeria" or if you're really talking to someone who has a clue; "That's where Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge got away with genocide" - but the latter comes up far less than references to Tomb Raider. Generally speaking, those who have a slight inkling about the country's existance will not speak favorably or negatively about this poverty-stricken place, because frankly they don't know enough to pass judgement.
If you should ask the same question to a Thai, their knowledge of its history or culture will be similarly hazy, despite how much of Thai culture came from the Ancient Khmer civilization, yet they will (9 out of 10 times) present a scowl on their face and start rattling off how terrible the Cambodian people are and how they look down on them. Even mention that you know a few Cambodian words, and you'll get a funny look (not funny ha ha, but funny 'you dirty emposter dressed in a white person's skin!). The Thai will undoubtably tell you about how the Cambodians are liars, beggars and thiefs. Not a one can be trusted. They will tell you how ALL of the beggars in Thailand are really just poor Cambodians who illegally came into their country to get a hand out.
Personally knowing a very different side of the Cambodian people, I've tested this claim on several occasions, because the beggars I see typically look Thai to my untrained eye. I've attempted, sometimes with some of my Thai friends within ear shot, saying hello to some of these dirty Cambodian beggars in Khmer... only to be met with a look of confusion. Then shift my language-set over to Thai, and each and every time I get a smile of understanding and a request for money from this THAI beggar. My friends then show a little shame and guilt for their unfounded biggotted comments about the Cambodians.
A huge part of the problem stems from Thais experience at a city on the Cambodian/Thai border called Poipet - the sweaty crotch of South East Asia. The commonalities between the name Poipet and "Toilet" extend beyond mere syllables. This extremely poverished town is filled with Casinos just past the Thai border that wealthy (and not-so-wealthy) Thais flock to by the hundreds if not thousands, because gambling is illegal in Thailand. The come and flash their money around and parade around on their high horses infront of the Cambodians, the whole time looking down their noses at their Khmer neighbors. And with this influx of money from the Thai side, comes a flow of impoverished Cambodians just looking to get a piece of the action that seemingly comes so easily to the Thais. The unfortunate outcome is that the Thais who escape their country for a weekend of sin and endulgence to throw away their money, are met by the poorest of Cambodians with fewer skills or opportunities just looking for a way to catch some of that cash, legitimately or otherwise. Thus an unfair judgement is passed upon all Cambodians because a few bad apples, by the Thais who act like spoiled high school graduates on a binge graduation trip to Cancun [not to pass any judgement or anything...].
As much as I don't like Poipet and the state of the unimaginably poor children with tiny dirty hands extended in the hopes of receiving something shiny, or the rampant scams that happen to tourists and Thais who wander about clulessly, it is no fair representation of the great country of Cambodia, or the incredibly warm-hearted people who reside elsewhere in it. Yet as dispicable as that town is, as I sat for a few minutes in the shade to eat my peanut butter and jelly, I found myself instantly in the company of five smiling faces who wanted nothing more than to practice their English skills and joke with me. And as I walked back through No-Man's-Land, passing tacky Thai casinos headed towards Thailand, I thought about how much I enjoy the Cambodians' friendly demeanor and big, easy smiles... and how little I looked forward to my 5 hour bus ride home.
~Bear
If you should ask the same question to a Thai, their knowledge of its history or culture will be similarly hazy, despite how much of Thai culture came from the Ancient Khmer civilization, yet they will (9 out of 10 times) present a scowl on their face and start rattling off how terrible the Cambodian people are and how they look down on them. Even mention that you know a few Cambodian words, and you'll get a funny look (not funny ha ha, but funny 'you dirty emposter dressed in a white person's skin!). The Thai will undoubtably tell you about how the Cambodians are liars, beggars and thiefs. Not a one can be trusted. They will tell you how ALL of the beggars in Thailand are really just poor Cambodians who illegally came into their country to get a hand out.
Personally knowing a very different side of the Cambodian people, I've tested this claim on several occasions, because the beggars I see typically look Thai to my untrained eye. I've attempted, sometimes with some of my Thai friends within ear shot, saying hello to some of these dirty Cambodian beggars in Khmer... only to be met with a look of confusion. Then shift my language-set over to Thai, and each and every time I get a smile of understanding and a request for money from this THAI beggar. My friends then show a little shame and guilt for their unfounded biggotted comments about the Cambodians.
A huge part of the problem stems from Thais experience at a city on the Cambodian/Thai border called Poipet - the sweaty crotch of South East Asia. The commonalities between the name Poipet and "Toilet" extend beyond mere syllables. This extremely poverished town is filled with Casinos just past the Thai border that wealthy (and not-so-wealthy) Thais flock to by the hundreds if not thousands, because gambling is illegal in Thailand. The come and flash their money around and parade around on their high horses infront of the Cambodians, the whole time looking down their noses at their Khmer neighbors. And with this influx of money from the Thai side, comes a flow of impoverished Cambodians just looking to get a piece of the action that seemingly comes so easily to the Thais. The unfortunate outcome is that the Thais who escape their country for a weekend of sin and endulgence to throw away their money, are met by the poorest of Cambodians with fewer skills or opportunities just looking for a way to catch some of that cash, legitimately or otherwise. Thus an unfair judgement is passed upon all Cambodians because a few bad apples, by the Thais who act like spoiled high school graduates on a binge graduation trip to Cancun [not to pass any judgement or anything...].
As much as I don't like Poipet and the state of the unimaginably poor children with tiny dirty hands extended in the hopes of receiving something shiny, or the rampant scams that happen to tourists and Thais who wander about clulessly, it is no fair representation of the great country of Cambodia, or the incredibly warm-hearted people who reside elsewhere in it. Yet as dispicable as that town is, as I sat for a few minutes in the shade to eat my peanut butter and jelly, I found myself instantly in the company of five smiling faces who wanted nothing more than to practice their English skills and joke with me. And as I walked back through No-Man's-Land, passing tacky Thai casinos headed towards Thailand, I thought about how much I enjoy the Cambodians' friendly demeanor and big, easy smiles... and how little I looked forward to my 5 hour bus ride home.
~Bear
posted by Cali Thais at
3:51 AM
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