12pm on the riverfront

It’s 12pm and here they come. Staying at home suddenly seems like a very good idea.

The protestors march from Freedom Park (in direct contravention with city permit for protest) to the palace.

A succinct version of the day’s events:

The first day of the planned opposition CNRP demonstration has started. In a paranoid move from the authorities, Phnom Penh woke up as a city under siege with numerous police barricades manned by hundreds of Military Police, Gendarmerie and Police units in full riot gear, preventing any sensible planning of itinerary, denying citizens from reaching either their homes or their business. Thousands of people nevertheless gathered at Freedom Park and were joined by CNRP co-Presidents who walked all the way from their homes through the streets, gathering a huge crowd of supporters on the way. Later that morning they marched towards the riverfront, broke through a barbed wire barricade and went praying at a riverside pagoda before returning to Freedom Place.

Thank you to John Vink.

My favourite spot for up-to-the-moment, it’s all happening in PP news, Twitter #electionskh.

First wave heading towards the barricades.  From a distance we watched barbed wire triangles lifted up and out of the way.

My vote. My nation.

Peacefully heading back to Freedom Park.

Where is my vote?

11am on the riverfront

This morning we headed out for brunch to find this. Barbed wire mania! A barbed wire good time at Sisowath & Sotheras and when coupled with water canons, oops fire trucks parked on standby, a clear indicator that it was time to stay at home. Preventative measures maybe as the city prepares for opposition party protests but we weren’t heading out if there was a chance that we would get stuck out. It’s a big traveling with a toddler no no.

Demonstration Advisory

Dear Government,

Thank you for your concern for my welfare but when you send me emails like this, it freaks me out.

Dear Nationality, you are receiving this email because you are registered with our Registration of Citizens Abroad service. Please share the following important information with other citizens in your area.

Parliamentary elections were held on July 28, 2013; however, the main opposition party has requested an inquiry into alleged electoral irregularities.  A large rally is expected in Phnom Penh’s Freedom Park on Saturday, September 7.  We encourage you to avoid any gatherings and large crowds.  Monitor local media and follow the advice of local authorities.

Citizens should remain vigilant at all times, avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings, follow the advice of local authorities and monitor local media. We recommend, if possible, that citizens get in touch with their emergency contacts to confirm their whereabouts and well being, even if they have not been affected by this event.

Really it’s the fact that you sent me an email at all that freaks me out. Gov, I like it when we don’t talk. It means all is right in the world. There are few, no, no positive circumstances that I can think of that we would communicate in. Lets keep it that way.

When you sent a follow up text to let me know that the security advisory for my region has changed, I felt the need to bulk buy food & water and take a trip to the bank.

I’m sure as time goes on and we share more of these communications, dear Gov,  they will become less impactful but for now you leave me a concerned wreck. My emergency contacts are well informed of my state of being and will not flood you with phone calls. For now your switchboard will remain clear.

Kindest regards,

Vicky

All quiet in the Penh

A bit tense in the Penh today. Very quiet following the close of elections and some civil unrest yesterday. The US Embassy advises staying close to home and avoiding crowds. Seems like good advice!

Sudden insight and appreciation into the role that social media plays in countries with state controlled media (and in a foriegn language) as we turned to twitter for updates. Some alarmist, some satirical, some actually informative. Given the demographics of Cambodia, social media has a large role to play.

An estimated 9.6 million people were eligible to vote on July 28, with 3.5 million people between 18 and 30 years of age, making it the youngest Cambodian election in history.

Check out the rest of the article in PP Post on the role of social media in the elections.

Want to know more about Cambodia’s elections? Check out the Phnom Penh Post or go to twitter and find @HunSensEye for the satirical view.

Election season kicks off with a loudspeaker

Yesterday was the official start of campaigning for the national election in about a months time. It started EARLY. Cue trucks, loudspeakers and supporters at 6:30am to get the day going. In last year’s provincial elections we experienced how one gets the message to a population that don’t have great TV penetration – directly. That means loudspeakers often. Small gifts to your potential voters. Campaign, campaign, campaign.

Cue trucks, loudspeakers and supporters who came trumbling past our house until 9:30 am and then out to the provinces they went. A 5:30 pm they returned. What a long, hot day it must have been.

Complex concepts, simple words #1

Imagine you stepped into a world where business jargon was verboten. Not once shall an FTE, API, corporate culture or any of the standard business speak leave your lips. In this world you must explain complex concepts using simple language that recognizes English is a second language.

This week the concept is virality as it relates to social media.

To begin, explaining what the world viral means.

“I have a cold and I sneeze, now you have a cold, you sneeze now your friend has a cold”. To be viral is to pass something along naturally.

Viral as it relates to social media.

Start with an example – “You know Gangum style?” Even in Cambodia this is a huge craze. Much nodding follows. Well, it is to take something you like – Gangum style – and share with your friends through Facebook (the main social medium here) and then they share with their friends etc etc. To end, “So when we post things to the corporate Facebook we want them to go viral.”

“Yulay?” – Me

“Yule.” – My team

It gets a bit convoluted but I’m trying.