Tourists flocking to Angkor Wat have been replaced by penniless refugees fleeing
attacks from the Khmer Rouge.
More than 40 families have sought sanctuary at the monument's grounds after their
villages were ransacked by the Khmer Rouge on the same day that the guerrillas launched
a full-scale assault on Siem Reap.
Some lay out mats on the floor of passageways inside the buildings, others have created
crude shelters within Angkor Wat's grounds.
Many eke out a living during the day and return to the shelter of the world-famous
shrine to Khmer culture at night.
One of the refugees, Samnang Ladch, 31, said: "The Khmer Rouge attacked our
village two kilometres away, stole everything and burnt our houses down. We just
threw some clothes into a bag and ran for our lives.
"What you see is all we have left. We left some gold behind in the house and
I'm sure the Khmer Rouge stole it."
Sambaing erected a shelter for himself, his wife and two young children by draping
some matting over two metal poles driven into the ground.
They and the other families are using water taps intended for use by workers renovating
the monument.
Samnang said: "We are too frightened to return to our villages, we fear the
Khmer Rouge will return.
"All we can hope for is that something good will come from the election and
the Khmer Rouge will be driven off so we can return to our normal lives."
A Cambodian People's Armed Forces (CPAF) post has been set up near the ancient temple
and the refugees are confident that the State of Cambodia will not let it fall into
guerrilla hands.
While Angkor Wat is proving a magnet for refugees, the May 3 rampage through Siem
Reap and subsequent rocket attacks have temporarily killed the tourist trade stone
dead.
This reporter encountered only one other group of Westerners-a Canadian film crew
who were making a pre-election documentary.
The juvenile vendors of film and souvenirs who normally throng the monument were
down to a bare handful.
Even a hill commonly used as a vantage point for sunset and sunrise photographs of
Angkor Wat is now off limits after CPAF troops laid mines in the pathway up to it
to thwart further Khmer Rouge attacks.
Contact PhnomPenh Post for full article
Post Media Co LtdThe Elements Condominium, Level 7
Hun Sen Boulevard
Phum Tuol Roka III
Sangkat Chak Angre Krom, Khan Meanchey
12353 Phnom Penh
Cambodia
Telegram: 092 555 741
Email: [email protected]