T he new UNDP-sponsored census will ask some interesting questions, but regrettably

the response forms are structured so that we'll never know the answers. Question

#48 wants to know if respondents are either eunuchs or hermaphrodites. Those who

are should check "Box #1-Male".

** Hookers in town have added a new twist to the term "turning a trick".

Two chagrinned expats report that they were drugged and robbed of thousands of dollars

worth of loot by ladies of the night. Apparently, the gals slipped some narcotic

in the lads' drinks and then engaged in some serious property cleansing before departing.

** Ieng Sary wanted to meet with Chea Sim but the Samdech begged off saying

he was ill. The sickness, it seems, was not that serious as Sim was seen the same

day at the driving range at the Royal Phnom Penh Hotel practicing his five iron.

** The rumor mill is buzzing. Which politician now in exile just had a child

by a beauty queen?

** Residents at the north end of Monivong are a bit concerned. They've heard

reports that the Funcinpec headquarters is up for sale and a Malaysian company is

considering buying the property so they can build condominiums on it.

** Hun Sen doesn't seem to be in the mood to talk to his ousted First Prime

Minister, or even want to see him either. On his way back from Paris he checked in

at Orly Airport only to discover that Prince Ranariddh was booked on the same plane.

The Samdech balked, saying he would refuse to get on. Airport handlers escorted him

to a VIP lounge while they tried to sort out the tangle. After a bit of scrambling

it was learned that Ranariddh had cancelled his booking and so the potential stand-off

was avoided.

** Pol Pot didn't do it. Ieng Sary didn't do it. Khieu Samphan didn't do it.

Ta Mok didn't do it. If these so-called babes in the woods were really smart they

would get together and agree on a better cover-up. Son Sen did it. That's right,

Son Sen! But he's already dead, so that must be the end of it.