First the Pol Pot "Show Tribunal" and now the "Show Death" with

journalists scrambling over each other, the body and Mrs Pol to try and get the best

picture or quote.

The Far Eastern Economic Review's Nate Thayer and Asia Works' David

McKaige got in first, much to the consternation of their colleagues who were left

grumbling on the border.

Thayer, in an effort to get some real, hard evidence, politely - even timidly - asked

Mrs Pol if he could have Pol Pot's two front fake teeth. Mrs Pol wasn't amused and

retorted: "Pol Pot told me you people were bad."

Thayer had been thinking whether or not he should ask to have a finger cut off to

take back as proof. He decided not to raise the matter following the "No"

on the dental issue.

** With the death heard around the world, even America's Jay Leno got in on the act.

In his Apr 18 monologue, Leno quipped "Pol Pot's face was down so that he could

see where he was going" and then added "I understand his brothers are Crack

and Crock". Har, har, har. Did Leno's sidekick Kevin Eubanks roar with laughter

because that's what he gets paid to do?

** Funcinpec is feeling squeezed by the Friends of Cambodia and the Asean Troika.

Said one Ranariddh aide about the Prince's return to Cambodia: "We were forced

to go back and try to swim in peanut butter."

** After the Friends/Troika meeting at the Regent Hotel on Apr 19, Thai FM Surin

Pitsuwan turned to one reporter as he headed for Siem Reap and said with a grin:

"Do you think I will be safe there?" Perhaps Surin has heard about the

Cambodian peanut butter too.

** At a recent conference on corruption, one attendee pointed out some of the tricks

used by Khmer politicians which included giving out one sandal before the polls with

a promise that the other sandal will be delivered if the donor wins. A second ruse

involves a politician building a bridge wide enough for motos with the promise that,

if elected, the bridge will be widened to accomodate carts, cars and trucks.

** An expat checked into a local hospital for a vasectomy and was surprised when

he was given general anathesia for the relatively minor operation. He became even

more confused after waking up when he found that his wife had already paid the bill

which included charges for three chest X-rays.

** If you are fed up with hearing about Pol Pot, you can try some lighter entertainment

- including "Two-up" and Crown & Anchor" - during the ANZAC Day

celebrations at the Ettamogah Pub, which begins at 8:30 am on April 25. Manny assures

all comers that they can drink til they drop.