Titbits from PP

Like everyone, I have read with distress about the devastating natural disasters that have exploded onto the peoples of Burma and China over the last few days. Information about both disasters has been sketchy so far but what we've seen and heard clearly indicate catastrophes of major-scale proportions. The failure of the Burmese authorities to allow aid and logistic teams into the country is simply bonkers, but of no surprise at all, as they instead concentrate on a referendum for a new constitution aimed at strengthening the military control over the Burmese people. I am ever thankful that Cambodia lies in between its neighbours and as such is shielded from such natural disasters (famous last words?). In a small-scale show of solidarity, I visited one of only two Burmese restaurants in Phnom Penh on Saturday, the Irrawaddi on street 344, for my lunch - nice people.
The Cambodian Premier League football season has recently kicked off and I am still scrabbling around trying to get the fixture list so I can get along to the Olympic Stadium to watch a few games. I'm currently suffering severe starvation for live football since my relocation to Cambodia. The end of the English Premiership season last weekend - which I watched on multi-screens at The Gym bar - doesn't exactly help either. I'm told the Cambodian League games are played on Saturday & Sunday and Wednesday but trying to locate a fixture list has so far proved impossible. However there is light on the horizon. The Cambodian National team has three games at home later this month as part of the Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup, a tournament for emerging football nations. Cambodia will play Palestine on 24 May, Nepal on 26 May and Macau on 28 May, with all three games at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh. The winner of this mini-group will go forward to compete in the 8-team Challenge Cup finals in India in July and August. Even I should be able to attend at least one of the games to satisfy my craving for live football.
I was very pleased to get a note from the author Milton Osborne a couple of days ago, who thanked me for my coverage of his recent book launch in Phnom Penh. He also mentioned a further delay of the arrival at Monument Books of his new book, Phnom Penh - A Cultural and Literary History. I'm still reading the book and will review it very soon.
My trip to Laos - did I mention it? - has been postponed for the time being. I was due to spend more than two weeks travelling from north to south in Laos from the end of this week, getting my first glimpse of the country and its people, but a lack of experienced staff in the office has meant I will now re-schedule my trip until June or July. A pity as I was looking forward to it, but it will happen, just later rather than sooner.
Last and certainly least, the closing date for registering political parties and their candidates for the 27 July general election here in Cambodia has passed. In all, 12 parties have registered, half of the number from the 2003 general election, where CPP won control with 73 seats out of 123. Its already dominating the headlines over here with dirty tricks much in evidence from all quarters. I expect it to get a lot worse as election day draws closer.
Whoops, I forgot to mention its the Cambodian King's birthday tomorrow - King Sihamoni will be 55 - and today is the first of a 3-day public holiday. However, I work in tourism so public holidays here mean diddly-squat. To celebrate his birthday, the face of the King will now appear on a new 20,000 riel note (worth $5.5) , printed by the National Bank.