World famous development expert Andy Pendleton is now on the aid-to-Afghanistan

bandwagon. He reports that Kabul is very cold and that the people can be violent

there. One shoeshine boy hit him in the back of the head with a rock after Andy declined

the offer for a polish.

The knucklehead expat of the month award goes to Aussie Bert who runs the Angkor

Arms pub in Sihanoukville. On Sunday Mar 3 there was a wedding across from Bert's

place at the Paris Hotel. Cars were parked all over and one vehicle was blocking

access to the pub. Bert tried to get the car moved to no avail, so he decided to

let all the air out of the car's tires. It just so happened that the pricey 4x4 was

owned by a high-ranking police official and his lads, upon seeing the flat tires,

were not pleased one bit. So they took it upon themselves to smash all the windows

in Angkor Arms. Bert is reported to have taken an early vacation to Thailand in the

hopes that tempers may cool over time.

The newly re-furbished road from Sre Ambel to Koh Kong is now open and reports indicate

that, for the moment, it is "the best road in Cambodia". The trek by car

along the laterite motorway takes about four hours and includes four ferry crossings.

Check it out before the rains start.

World famous development expert Hans Van Zoggel is about to fulfill the dream of

a lifetime. Around Khmer New Year he will head off by motorcycle on a Cambodia-to-Holland

overland adventure. Hans is considering the possibility of providing the Post an

exclusive series of updates on the trip as it unfolds. Those who want to send notes

of encouragement as he makes his way across the continent can do so by email at:

dutchie118 @hotmail.com

World famous Khmer Rouge expert Craig Etcheson is back in town. If you need a conversation

starter unrelated to the prospects of a credible Khmer Rouge trial, ask him about

his white shoes and new haircut. Now there's a story too hot to print!

Sam Rainsy may have finally hit the nail on the head. His plan to have the SRP-controlled

commune councils provide documents to villagers free of charge is an idea that may

be heard round the kingdom. Watch this one closely. Heaps of rice bowls are going

to be real nervous.

Chhang Song. What a chuckler. He is now passing out business cards which have his

title as "Senator", but which have "Expelled" stamped in red

across the face.