THE MERRY MONKS OF MAY

May seems to have become the month of monks in Siem Reap, As well as the big parade next week that’s featured in the page one story, the Buddhist Bodhigayavijjalaya 980 Institute will hold a seminar in Siem Reap from May16-20 at the Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf and Spa Resort.

Monks attending include Ven. Phra Dhamma Varanayok, chairman of the Program for Buddhist Monks’ In-Depth Dhamma Study and Practice in the Buddha’s Home Country, Year 1, and ecclesiastical provincial governor for Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand; Phrathepbhodivites (Veerayut Veerayutho, Ph.D) program director and an Abbot of Wat Thai Buddh Gaya; Ven. Phra Buddhachinwong , senior monk from Thailand; Ven. Phra Methivoryan , senior monk of the Bodhigayavijjalaya 980 Institute; Most Venerable Phramaha Pong Samaleuk Phramaha Vichit Singharaj Phraya Premchit, president of The Lao Buddhist Fellowship Organisation; Ven. Phra Sayadej Ekaggacitto, from Lao; Ven. Phra Boonthawee Vilaijak, from Lao; Ven. Tep Vong, great supreme patriarch of Cambodia; and Ven. Phra Suwanrattana , vice president of Preah Sihanouk Raja Buddhist University.

CLEANING UP YOUR ACT

Several hotels, namely La Residence d’Angkor, FCC, Karavansara, Chateau d’Angkor, Thavy Apartments and Shinta Mani are combining forces to clean up the area surrounding their properties, and to plant some trees.

One of the organisers, Shinta Mani’s esteemed Christian de Boer, the man of many braces, invites other people to become involved and says, “Should you be able to participate then simply clean the area surrounding your property which (in turn) will benefit yourself and help create a cleaner Siem Reap for all.”

Christian added, “A few months ago Mr Richard Crlik started this movement that received a lot of attention … let’s try to keep the issue of littering and plastic on the agenda and thus keep Cambodia Clean.”

Meanwhile, students and staff at Learn4Life Cambodia embarked on a bicycle trip around the Angkor Thom city walls on Sunday, April 27, and included a clean-up at the French Bridge in their schedule.

Learn4Life Cambodia principal, David Scotcher said, “We wanted to incorporate some community service into a fun day out in the scenic, remote areas of the Angor Wat Temple complex. The event was hugely successful with the turnout and donations collected. The cleanup idea at the lunch stop came from our students and Learn4Life is proud to have them as students at our school.”

SHORTS

Running amok: Siem Reap’s ever popular Amok Restaurant first opened its doors in 2004 and hence this month it is celebrating its tenth anniversary by plying customers with one free sangria for every meal ordered from May12-21. According to a press release, the restaurant “provides the largest Amok panel experience in Siem Reap.” Not sure what that means, but the five different varieties of amok served at the restaurant are always a palate pleaser.

Watered down: Perhaps it’s an ‘only-in-Siem-Reap’ experience: while rain was lashing down from the heavens this week, inside the house the taps were running dry. Best way to take a shower? Step outside and enjoy the rain!

Office sharing: The idea of shared office space is catching on. Last week’s article about Hotel1961 converting to offices is followed by news that AngkorHub set up in the Canadia Bank building last month, providing office space, coffee and filtered water to digital nomads, freelancers et al. There are also plans to “prepare a social incubator program and find investors to incubate young startups.” Contact Jeff on +855887068879.

More tourists: According to the Siem Reap Provincial Tourism Department, 778,740 visits by international tourists were made to the Angkor Wat Archeological Park between January to March this year, an increase of 12 per cent over the same period last year.