ARMED with incense and an iron bar, Kong Kia – aka Kun Bunta aka White Bow – has a fearsome reputation for being immune to heat and using hot metal to perform miracle healing. On House Number 11, he demonstrated his ability and told his story.

Kong Kia said it all started when he was hit by a magic spell at the young age of 10. Though born in Treang, Takeo province, he moved to Kompong Cham province where he trained as a monk for five years.

“When I was a monk, I was a novice. I always spoke the truth; I have never looked down on someone and told a lie, because that would put me in trouble," he said.

But Kong Kia gave up the life of a Buddhist monk, and began studying magic at Kolean mountain and Preah mountain, in Kompong Speu province. With this education, he started treating the sick in Kompong Cham.

To cure pain and disease, Kong Kia has an elaborate ritual. He heats his iron bar over a fire and touches his palms and feet to it, before resting them on the patient.