Cambodia : a soul-stirring destiny

I was in my twenties when the khmer rouge regime took power in Cambodia. I was then more concerned about completing my studies, doing my compulsory military service and finding a job. Cambodia seemed a far away place and news were not very clear about the situation. Back then we did pay less attention to what was going on in the world : no internet, no colour TV, and Cambodia was only one of 150 countries on the earth.

Young Cambodian victims, 1975

It is only when visiting the Killing Fields memorial park last June near Phnom Penh that I realized the extent of the genocide which took place : one quarter of the entire country’s population was swept away in the most atrocious conditions because of some nebulous ideology. I was also upset that most perpetrators of this crime could pass away more or less quietly ; the few that have been recently convicted were only unlucky to live longer than their accomplice.

As I wrote in an older post, visiting this place after having gone through the populous districts of Phnom Penh, among all the smiling young men or women who are the future of the country, is truly soul-stirring from the contrast it shows. In fact, I do not think I would like to go there again.

Young Cambodians, 2014

Love sick The Series

Pictures, TV series… love between boys is currently fashionable in Thailand.

"Love Sick The Series" is the latest drama that no teenager would miss every Saturday on MCOT (Modern Nine TV) at 8.50 pm. The story follows two 17 y/o high school boys who eventually fall in love after a deal brought them closer together. It also deals with various teens’ issues such as peer pressure, income inequalities, bad boys and so on.

Main actors are White, 19 (June 6, 1995) as Phun and Captain, 16, (February 2, 1998) as Noh. The action takes place in Bangkok and characters are mostly thai-chinese upper class boys so not really my style but, hey, that's a sweet and funny way to spend a rainy afternoon … To-date there are already 9 episodes out, episode 10 next Sunday.

Teaser at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVfeu7Us-wY#t=102.
You can view past episodes at http://banaze.com/love-sick-the-series-รักวุ่น-วัยรุ่นแสบ/