Music buffs will be delighted to learn that, at least according to those hard

rock devotees who reveled to the beat provided by the band just south of the Palace

during the Water Festival, this year's most popular tune was "Boom, Boom, Boom!

I want you in my room."

Sources say last year's earsplitting hit song which rattled windows along Sothearos

Blvd for three days was "I love you more than I can say", while 1997's

theme was the classic tear jerker "I hate myself for loving you."

** The word on the grapevine is that the new director of a certain international

organization in town is looking to rent a residence for the low, low price of only

$12,000 per month. Negotiations are proceeding but the sticking point seems to be

the downpayment. The landlord wants five years rent in advance.

What's all the fuss? That would only come to $720,000 up front. Chump change!

** One senior government official who was curious to take the pulse of the

younger generation on the subject of extramarital relationships asked one of the

single women working the beer promotion circuit across the river what she thought

of the state of affairs.

She replied: "If we don't let the men #&%@ us, they kill us; if we do, then

their wives will kill us."

The official was most surprised by the respondent's apparent indifference to using

a more traditional, quaint colloquialism for the active verb.

** This tomfoolery comes from a new publication called "Thai guys"

published in Bangkok which ran an article "Report From Cambodia".

"Cambodian men are all smiles (more than the Thais!) and sensuality. Many people

find them to be the sexiest in the region, thanks to their 'primitive' touch, in

addition to their excellent looks. You should not expect too much though. Interesting

conversation is rarely possible. ... Neither is genuine friendship, nor passionate

love affairs."

"Cambodia will offer you pleasant memories of sexy men, mostly at a price of

USD 10.- per contact. ... One last thing: Cambodian soldiers, policemen, and particularly,

military policemen are gorgeous and often available. They are not dangerous, however,

keep in mind that this is the single most HIV-exposed group in Cambodia."

** More zaniness from Bangkok. Philippe Decaux has come up with a plan to

bring in 100 VIPs from around the region and fete them with a train ride in the Royal

Carriage to Kampot. All systems are go. Those in Phnom Penh interested in the adventure

may be able to join up. Details later.