Some

resident expat Cambodia watchers are getting a bit gun shy about talking to the media

on the record. They are worried that the government will "pull a Global Witness"

on them.

** It appears that David Chanaiwa, the crackerjack lawyer now stitched up in PJ prison

on charges of driving his Hummer across Hun Sen Park may not have much of a defense

in court. The word is that his lame-brain antics were caught on film by the security

cameras at Naga Casino.

** The City Link story continues to unravel in ways that keep investors shaking their

heads. Indications are that Paul Blanche-Horgan may even end up back at OnLine.

** Eco-guerillas involved in saving the Kingdom's flora and fauna have given nicknames

to several so-called protected forest areas. The one south of the Cardamon Mountains

along Route 48, often referred to as the Southwest Elephant Coridor, is called "Suwanna-land".

The one near Samlaut has been tagged "Angelinajolie-land". Alas, reports

on the latter zone indicate that there is barely a tree standing but what is visible

are the high-priced land cruisers bought with donated funds for use by the folks

who are supposed to protect the trees.

** Informed sources say that former PPPost managing editor Robert Carmichael and

his co-conspirator David Potter are "just inches away" from getting their

new invention in the market place.

For those who haven't been following this story, the lads invented a flashlight with

a smoke alarm that, with some other gadgets added on, is set to storm the backpacker/boutique

travel knickknack market. One market analyst here in Phnom Penh says the entrepreneurs

expect to make "millions."

** Several ads were noticed for a place called L'Histoire Cafe offering "Khmer

Rouge Lifestyle" with "staff dressed in KR uniforms, Khmer Rouge meals,

drinks and the unforgettable songs." The address given was across from the Tuol

Sleng Museum, but the establishment seems to have done a rapid disappearing act.

** The staff at the US Consular Office deserve an award for patience and understanding

for their efforts to help the endless stream of confused and bewildered Americans

and others that seem to end up there. Yikes! The number of hard luck characters that

those folks have to deal with is astounding. They must have some kind of "troubled

soul per hour" meter to monitor the traffic and gauge what kind of day it has

been.