Big turnout at Pochentong for the return of His Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk

on Oct 9 with a full contingent of Excellencies and Honorables. The irony of Prime

Minister Hun Sen and his wife Bun Rany standing under a green umbrella with the words

"The Royal Palace" written on it were not lost on several observers.

Reuters reported, "[The King] denied rumors he had plans to abdicate."

The Associated Press reported the King saying, when asked about abdication reports,

"I have not taken any decision. But if I have anything, I will inform you. I

will not hide it from you." Everyone reported the King looked fit and energetic.

And inquiring minds want to know which ambassador had the temerity to cut off the

Thai ambassador's car in the dash back to Phnom Penh.

 

The sidewalk battle continues along the riverfront. The Municipality issued an

Announcement on Oct 4, 2002 informing shopkeepers that they can continue to sell

goods from inside but not display goods on the sidewalks. Shelters made of cloth

or plastic and flower pots on footpaths are also banned as they cause loss of "social

beauty and affect municipal manners". The authorities have given businesses

until Oct 14 to get their act together after which the city is not responsible for

loss or damage to goods when the police come by to enforce the regulations.

In a related move, the government has announced that all would-be gunslingers

will be prohibited from carrying both illegal and legal firearms during the upcoming

Asean Summit.

A new survey on which cities around the globe are the best to live in for expatriates,

released by the Economist Intelligence Unit in London, has determined that Phnom

Penh is #126 out of 130. Dhaka and Lagos are tied for #127, followed by Karachi at

#129 and Port Moresby bringing up the rear. Can you hear the cries for increases

in expat hardship allowances? Give it a rest!

Williamston Presbyterian Church in South Carolina gave a Bible test. Here are

some of the answers:

• The Jews had trouble throughout their history with unsympathetic Genitals.

• The first book of the Bible is Guinesses, in which Adam and Eve were created

  from an apple tree.

• The epistles were the wives of the apostles.

• Paul preached holy acrimony, another name for marriage.