Sihanouk Boulevard
There were no elephants. In the past, a Cambodian royal family funeral would have featured them, perhaps even to the point of one carrying a royal casket. This time, King Father Norodom Sihanouk was carried in a jasmine covered massive gold casket, conveyed on a motorised and stylised mythical flying animal, flanked by officials and … Continue reading
Cambodian Reflections
One night early last week, I joined thousands of Cambodians outside the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh as mourning continued for the late King Father, Norodom Sihanouk, who had died in Beijing a few days earlier. The rain was sloshing down in the late wet season throes, authorities had cordoned off the Palace area so that … Continue reading
ASEAN Dreams, Australian Puzzles
My walks to and from the office here in Phnom Penh these few days are punctuated by the noise of sirens and the rush of motor cycle police as yet another cavalcade of dignitaries sweeps past en route to yet more meetings, relegating to the road edges the normal crush of cars, four wheel drives, … Continue reading
Phnom Penh Penumbra
My place in Phnom Penh is just around the corner from the Independence Monument, so a little hike from the bars and clubs uptown at Riverside more normally associated with the city. I am technically in the Tonle Bassac commune of Chamkar Mon district, but to all intents and purposes spend most time in Boeung … Continue reading
Current Project
I am presently working in Phnom Penh, Cambodia as Chief Technical Adviser to the Higher Education Quality and Capacity Improvement Project (HEQCIP) funded by the World Bank. Run from the Department of Higher Education (DHE), the project aims to upgrade the qualifications and expertise of academic staff and policy-level staff in DHE and other departments; improve … Continue reading
Brian Stoddart 