The Tale of Khmerican - Force Back to Cambodia

Since 1977, the US Congress arranged for Cambodians, who were fleeing from the Khmer Rouge, to become permanent residents of the country through the Indochina Migration and Refugee Assistance Act, eventually making them eligible for citizenship. Most were placed in ghettos in Lowell, Massachusetts, Lynn, Massachusetts and Long Beach, California with little support from the government

Most were born in refugee camps in Thailand after their parents escaped the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime and the wars of the 1970s. After moving to the United States as young children, they were deported decades later. Having grown up in the United States, they are fully ensconced in American culture. Upon arrival in Cambodia, they were given “naturalization certificates,” which grant them Cambodian citizenship.

After deportation, they were forbidden from ever returning to the United States.

Cambodian officials, including Prime Minister Hun Sen, have claimed they are motivated by human rights concerns because deported Cambodians were being unjustly separated from their families in the U.S.

“When they send back to Cambodia, the wives and children continue living in the United States,” Mr. Hun Sen said in April. “This is a sad separation.”

However, the government may also have more pragmatic goals in mind, seeking political gain or concessions from the U.S. in delaying repatriations. In particular, there are indications that the government may be seeking more U.S. support for deportees after they arrive in the country.

According to an updated program description from RISC, which details the U.S.funded NGO’s objectives in providing initial orientation and assistance with finding jobs and housing, acquiring legal documents and accessing medical care, among other support, the organisation is preparing for 16 more repatriated Cambodians by October 2017 and 94 on top of that by September 2019.

The project anticipated the target population to be at 582 individuals by the start of this proposed project in October 2017, and at 676 individuals by the end of this proposed project in September 2019.

Bill Herod, a long-time resident of Cambodia, established the Returnee Assistance Program, a non-governmental organisation, to assist deportees in transitioning to life in Cambodia. However, deportees receive no official support, and Cambodian government officials have expressed their consternation that the United States is dumping "American gang members" on the streets of Cambodia.

The fact is, do they have a choice to be in the U.S in the first place, and they are facing another life turning point for a mistake that made which caused them return to Cambodia, a land they never step on before, separated from their family.  

What is Super Malaria?

Where Super Malaria emerging from?The answer is Cambodia.

It is quite normal to get a mosquito bite in Siem Reap, what we did not expect from the bite is the super malaria parasite, now you should read about the fact. While it emerged in Cambodia but has since spread through parts of Thailand, Laos and southern Vietnam, taking serious precaution may save lives.

The Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU) located in Bangkok aims to fight the infectious tropical diseases affecting rural communities in Asia and elsewhere in the developing world. MORU was established in 1979 as a research collaboration between Mahidol University, Oxford University and the Wellcome Trust, and is supported with significant funding from the Wellcome Trust, though it also receives funding from other trusts and foundations, governments, and multi-lateral donors. 

Prof Arjen Dondorp, the head of the research unit quote on BBC News the rapid spread of "super malaria" in South East Asia is an alarming threat, scientists are warned, globally .

This particularly form of malaria parasite resisted with the main anti-malaria drugs.It is alarming that this strain is spreading rapidly through the Mekong sub-region and we fear it can spread further as far as to Africa.

( Life cycle of Malaria - Image from Klein 2013) 

Quick FACT

In a letter published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, the researchers pointed out the recent sinister development had shown a resistance to the drug artemisinin

Treatments containing an artemisinin derivative (artemisinin-combination therapies, ACTs) are now standard treatment worldwide for P. falciparummalaria. Artemisinin is isolated from the plant Artemisia annua, sweet wormwood, a herb employed in Chinese traditional medicine. A precursor compound can be produced using genetically engineered yeast. 

Chemically, artemisinin is a sesquiterpene lactone containing an unusual peroxide bridge. This peroxide is believed to be responsible for the drug's mechanism of action. Few other natural compounds with such a peroxide bridge are known. 

About 212 million people are infected with malaria each year caused by a parasite that is spread by blood-sucking mosquitoes, killed mostly children 

The first choice treatment for malaria is artemisinin in combination with piperaquine. 

But as artemisinin has become less effective, the parasite has now evolved to resist piperaquine too. 

Prof Dondorp said the treatment was failing around a third of the time in Vietnam while in some regions of Cambodia the failure rate was closer to 60%. Resistance to the drugs would be catastrophic in Africa, where 92% of all malaria cases happened.

Michael Chew, from the Wellcome Trust medical research charity, said: "The spread of this malaria 'superbug' strain, resistant to the most effective drug we have, is alarming and has major implications for public health globally.

"Around 700,000 people a year die from drug-resistant infections, including malaria.

If nothing is done, this could increase to millions of people every year by 2050."

Why Bhutan is well known as "The Land of Thunder Dragon"

A place of solace, rest and recuperation. 

Bhutan is well known as the land of thunder dragon, here's the story goes..

• In Dzongkha language, Bhutan is known as "Drukyul" literally means "The Land of Dragons" 
• While Kings of Bhutan are known as "Druk Gyalpo", The "Dragon King" 
• Bhutanese people call themselves the Drukpa, meaning "Dragon people"
• Because large thunderstorms that whip down through the valleys from the Himalayas, semantically regarded as .. ( you got the answer now.) 
• Located on the eastern Himalayas, it is geopolitical settled on South Asia, neighboring to Tibet Autonomous Region and states of India.

Where is Bhutan actually?

Bhutan is 1 of the 49 landlocked country in the world, the country's landscape ranges from lush subtropical plains in the south to the sub-alpine Himalayan mountains in the north, where there are peaks in excess of 7,000 metres high (approx.23,000 ft). it was second to Maldives as least populous nation. The largest city is the capital - Thimpu, meanwhile the financial city is Phuentsholing, which is adjoins the Indian town of Jaigaon, and cross-border trade has resulted in a thriving local economy. 

The highest mountain in Bhutan is the Gangkhar Puensum, which is also a strong candidate for the highest unclimbed mountain in the world. 

What is unique about Bhutan policy in the past?

The independence of Bhutan has endured for centuries, and the territory was never colonized in its history.

More recently, under the protection of the kingdom, in 1999, the government lifted a ban on television and the Internet, it sound strange, but that brings Bhutan one of the last countries to introduce television on the list.

The King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck (from 1972 until 2006) is credited with many modern reforms in the country. said He also stressed that any development undertaking should be a genuine collaboration between the people and the government. 

He saids "television was a critical step to the modernisation of Bhutan as well as a major contributor to the country's gross national happiness, but warned that the "misuse" of television could erode traditional Bhutanese values."

Read More about the Druk Gyalpo

In South Asia, Bhutan ranks first in economic freedom, ease of doing business, and peace; second in per capita income; and is the least corrupt country as of 2016. However, Bhutan continues to be a least developed country. Here's the good news, visiting almost an untouch sacred land is touristically exclusive and viable.

How to visit Bhutan and stay within the rules of good conduct?

• Bhutan’s tourism sector is regarded as one of the most exclusive travel destinations in the world. 
• Bhutan enjoys a reputation for authenticity, remoteness and a well-protected cultural heritage and natural environment.
• The tourism industry in Bhutan is founded on the principle of sustainability, meaning that tourism must be environmentally and ecologically friendly, socially and culturally acceptable and economically viable. 
• The Royal Government of Bhutan recognizes that tourism is a world-wide phenomenon and an important means of achieving socioeconomic development particularly for a developing country like Bhutan. 
• It believes that tourism, in affording the opportunity to travel, can help to promote a deeper understanding among people and to strengthen ties of friendship based on a deeper appreciation and respect for different cultures and lifestyles.

Angkor Thom - The Royal Enclosure

Angkor Thom is the Royal City of Angkor and palace within an 8 meter tall fortress. 

The entrance of the gate is distinctively small by width of just 3.5m. Alongside of the entrance the stone valley of Devas and Asuras, the replication of 'The Churning of the Milky Ocean' in Hindu Mythology - Samudra Manthana.

In the centre of the walled enclosure are the city’s most important monuments, including Bayon, Baphuon, Phimeanakas,  The Terrace of Elephants and The Terrace of Leper King.

Within the enclosing of an area of 9 km², there are total of 5 main gates on 

• North Gate
• East Gate, Victory Gate next to the East Gate ( 500m north ) link Victory Square  
• South Gate, the most visited gate
• West Gate

Visitor will enter from the South Gate as it is the main tourist entrance to the site.

#srgholidays #srgroupcambodia

Now back to Khmer Empire - Angkor with Apsara

Khmer Empire history can literally trace back as early as 802-1431 CE, when King Jayavarman II moves from Banteay Prey Nokor, Kampong Cham (known as Indrapura at that period,  during his reign in 781 CE) before his declaration as Chakravatin in Phnom Kulen.

The Mahendraparvata is the ancient name of 1st Khmer Empire city, located 45 km from modern city of Siem Reap, on the slopes of Kulen Mountain, in Siem Reap Province.This city predated as early as 350 years before Angkor Wat was built.

The empire rapidly emerged to a mega city in 11th -13th CE and historically proven it's existential with the ruins of Angkor City. It houses over 1,000 stones monuments in various sizes.

Angkor had been the largest pre-industrial city in the world, with an elaborate infrastructure system connecting an urban sprawl of at least 1,000 square kilometres (390 sq mi) to the well-known temples at its core. Angkor is considered to be a "hydraulic city" because it had a complicated water management network, which was used for systematically stabilizing, storing, and dispersing water throughout the area.

Siem Reap & Battambang in 6D5N Exclusive Tour by SRG Holidays Cambodia

Siem Reap & Battambang  

6D5N Exclusive Tour by SRG Holidays Cambodia

SRG Holidays Cambodia recently launch an exclusive tour connecting 2 oldest cities in Cambodia, Angkor (Siem Reap) and Battambang in a single itinerary covering 6 days of visit in total for a great experience.

The trip will begin in Siem Reap and to Battambang respectively on a leisurely, adventures land travel along the national road, small valley and off track that link between 2 cities.

Part of the effort is to create a diversity travel pattern that mainly only covered  Angkor Wat and surrounding areas, we want our guest to discover more on the northern area of Battambang, whereby it is still at its best as not many tourist may come across their minds how much Cambodia really is.

The propose itinerary in below link:

https://srgroupcambodia.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/trip-planner-6d5n-siem-reap-battambang.pdf

We had been doing research & keep developing new travel pattern that offers  a greater understanding, rather than the “Killing Field” as most people think about Cambodia.Today Cambodia offer much more that you can imagine.

We organising tour to those sites on a regular basis, but on special exclusive tour, those particular areas will be included upon request. Our program is family friendly by all means, the pace we set for temple visit is at the right pace, ensure that is sufficient amount of time as well as stop pit for elderly and young children, we fully understand as we often travel with all ages including you children. We had been doing tour program for a few years, we find that in blending in the historical, art & cultural, food & drink, agricultural & natural scenic, adventures, coastal & islands is not an easy account, as our guest only spend a few days here in Cambodia, therefor we finally workout a program, a presentation prior arrival that allows our guest to get the taste and feel, much like a local even before they arrive. We choose to travel the way whereby a little off beyond the horizon of a common touristic hot spot, therefore our supplier can offers us a better solutions & understanding in terms of price and services,  the value added not only for us but for our guest during the journey, some events are seasonal, that will be included as part of the program when the time is just right.

Trip Planner 6D5N Siem Reap – Battambang

Click on the link above to have a quick peek of the proposed itinerary which will endures a greater pleasure in your journey to the historically land of The Charming Pearl of South East Asia, the great Khmer Empire.

Welcome to Cambodia!

SRG Holidays Cambodia, a core business for SR Group-Cambodia which is established as a local business in Siem Reap since 2015. All our suppliers and correspondence are local community engaging their services at their best manners. We are proud to be part of the tourism arms to promote Cambodia as a destination and continuing to develop new products from time to time.

Here’s a a few review on our services from Facebook Page.

Indy Manickam reviewed SR Group-Cambodia — 5 star

March 19, 2016 · 

You can’t go wrong with Sam. Friendly, honest and an absolute pleasure to hang around with. Restaurants he brought us to we’re good and very reasonably priced. He saved us money in that respect. He arranged a flexible tour for us that catered to our wants and needs perfectly.

 Suppiah Pa reviewed SR Group-Cambodia — 5 star 

June 26, 2016 · 

Sam was very kind and so helpful in fixing us comfortable package but great value for money, so generous in sharing so much information ahead so that we enjoy our entire trip.

Sam Khmer Noodles was awesome! You need to try it to discover the all-new-taste! All natural ingredients! Keep rocking Sam!

Angkor Wat, Preah Vihear and Sambor Prei Kuk - in a single trail

Cambodia will develop heritage tourism packages now that it has three World Heritage sites under its belt.

The three World Heritage Sites are Angkor Wat, listed in 1992, Preah Vihear (2008) and the Sambor Prei Kuk archaeological site in Kampong Thom province listed in July 2017.


The Sambor Prei Kuk archaeological site, a cluster of ancient brick temples scattered in the forest in Kampong Thom province.

“The word ‘Kampuchea’ started from the time when Sambor Prei Kuk emerged,” he added. “This historical site is very important for us to understand how Khmer collaborated with each other after a time of division.”

Built by Isanavarnam I, king of the Chenla Empire, the seventh-century ruins are an important piece of Cambodian history that predates the Angkorian period.

The temple – perhaps best known for its enigmatic carvings that appear to depict foreign visitors to the royal court – was inscribed on the World Heritage List during the 41st session of the World Heritage Committee held in Krakow, Poland, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts announced in a statement yesterday.


Khmer Times quoted Tourism Minister Thong Khon saying the addition of Sambor Prei Kuk archaeological site as a UNESCO world heritage would prompt new tour programmes.

“About 50% of tourists to Cambodia visit cultural and historical tourism sites like Angkor Wat, so we believe there are opportunities to package the three sites.”

Cambodia National Tourism Alliance general secretary, Ho Vandy, noted that Cambodia’s travel agents association has 300 members and they will now be encouraged to promote the three sites.

Promoting a World Heritage trail for all three World Heritage sites remains a challenge. Angkor Wat attracts the most visitors, while just a few visit Preah Vihear, which is perched on top of a ridge adjacent to the border with Thailand and more difficult to reach.

To make a World Heritage trail work it would require considerable cooperation between Cambodia and Thailand to create a route with minimal back tracking. Ideally, visitors would start with a trip to Northeast Thailand known as Isan, starting from Buriram before travelling south to cross the border with Cambodia to visit Preah Vihear, continuing their tour to Angkor Wat, then to Kampong Thom.

Including Sambor Prei Kuk, latest World heritage site into a tour would require research by tour operators to work out suitable routes that could fit into a price bracket acceptable to travellers with minimum duplication of routes.

External view of Sambor Prei Kuk, a coverage of 25km

SRG Holidays Cambodia, is currently working closely with suppliers to create a suitable packages, time estimated for the whole journey and travel pattern which will includes agri-tour, cultural and archaeological aspects in a friendly manner. Currently SRG Holidays had been organising tour for selected market focus on introducing Cambodia as a destination, art and culture, food and drink, religion as well as the historical value in an exclusive way.

 man mustache and long curly hair suggests that he is a foreigner.

"Our challenges is the provide an extensive coverage and as much details as possible, offering our products at a competitive price, things like Khmer Noodle (known as nom banh chok) is on our top list for food and drink, which is famous among local people but tourist unable to get a taste of it, therefore we take a step forward to open a small noodle house in 2015 just for this reason. We hope tourist that visit Cambodia will be able to remember not only Amok, there are much more we can offer as Khmer delicacy history is one of the oldest available in Asia for century that preserving its culinary art until present day."- Sam Chan, SR Group-Cambodia.

For enquiries, click on link below 

SRG Holidays Cambodia or send your request via Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/srgholidays/

A path in Cambodia Year Zero.

First They Killed My Father. 

2017 biographical historical thriller film directed by Angelina Jolie and written by Jolie and Loung Ung, based on Ung's memoir of same name. Set in 1975, the film depicts 5-year-old Ung who is forced to be trained as a child soldier while her siblings are sent to labor camps during the Khmer Rouge regime.

The film screened at the Telluride Film Festival and 2017 Toronto International Film Festival, and was released on Netflix, 15 September 2017.

"It's the story of a war through the eyes of a child, but it is also the story of a nation to remembered."

In 1970s was a meaningless war for Cambodia, unconditioned bombing on Cambodian land caused half a million innocent life. Cambodian remembered. What is left until today is nearly 4 millions landmines, most of it still remain uncleared.

There is evidence that during 1969 Lon Nol approached the US military establishment to gauge military support for any action against Sihanouk.

Following the coup, North Vietnam forces invaded Cambodia in 1970 at the request of Khmer Rouge leader Nuon Chea.

These events marked the start of the Cambodian Civil War pitting Lon Nol's regime backed by US air power against the Khmer Rouge and North Vietnam. Lon Nol fled Cambodia in 1975 right before the Khmer Rouge's seizure of power, it was the 'Year Zero.'

17 April 1975.