Guidance for North Korea’s Kim Jong Un from Cambodia

North Korea’s young successor might want to look at the example of King Sihanouk of Cambodia, who took power at 18.

Khmer Rouge Trial Begins in Cambodia

Monday was an historic day for the people of Cambodia. Opening statements in the war crimes trial against three former leaders of the notorious Khmer Rouge regime, began in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh.

Invoking Buddha to Protect Forests

A community of Buddhist monks in Cambodia is appealing to international concern about climate change to help preserve the region’s forests.

Cambodia and Thailand at Odds Over an Ancient Temple

The Preah Vihear temple is at the heart of a border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand.

Dengue Fever and Cambodian Psychedelic Rock

This six-person outfit plays a style of music associated with 1970s psychedelic rock from Cambodia.

Critics Worried About Dam Along Mekong River

Debate ensues over Laos’s plans to build hydroelectric dam on the lower Mekong river.

Indigenous Protest in Cambodia

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We’re on the Indochinese peninsula for this Geo Quiz, looking for the name of a southeast Asian forest. It’s home to indigenous Kui people who’ve lived in the forest for centuries. Illegal logging and mineral mining are taking a toll on the ancient forest. If that sounds like something out of Avatar, then you won’t be surprised to hear that some Kuy tried to dress like characters in the movie to protest the destruction of their sacred forest. Can you name that forest? Download MP3

Gateway to Angkor Wat

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The city in northern Cambodia our Geo Quiz takes us today is a gateway city for international tourists to Angkor. That’s Cambodia’s world heritage site with its Wat temples that date back to 12th century Khmer civilization. The temples appear on Cambodia’s flag. Download MP3

Stampede in Cambodia kills hundreds

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Three hundred and seventy five people are now known to have died in the stampede at a festival in Cambodia. Twice as many more were injured after panic spread through the crowds crossing a narrow bridge.The tragedy happened as the annual water festival, the country’s biggest celebration, was coming to a close.The BBC’s Alistair Leithead has the story from Phnom Penh. Download MP3

Cambodia mourns water festival deaths

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Author Loung Ung says the deaths at Cambodia’s water festival represent the first major trauma experienced by Cambodians since Pol Pot.Ung, the author of “First They Killed My Father,” speaks with anchor Lisa Mullins. Download MP3

• Books by Loung Ung

Thailand Cambodia border dispute over temple

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There have been heated exchanges between Thailand and Cambodia over an ancient temple on their border. The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that the Preah Vihear temple belongs to Cambodia, rejecting Thai claims. Now Cambodia’s World Heritage bid reignited Thai resentment and there have been small armed clashes in the area during the past few years. Mary Kay Magistad reports. (flickr image: travelskerricks) Download MP3

• BBC pictures of Preah Vihear
• More about Preah Vihear

Khmer Rouge official confesses in documentary

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A new documentary depicts a top Khmer Rouge official’s confession for the first time on video. The film, titled “Enemies of the People,” provides new insight on the Killing Fields and Cambodia’s horrific genocide. The World’s Mary Kay Magistad attended the screening in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and has the story. Download MP3

• Watch the trailer
• Corruption may endanger Khmer rouge tribunals
• Cambodia’s new textbook
• Enemies of the People Official Website

Swearing in Irish, storytelling in Scots, rapping in Khmer

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Two takes on the Irish language: one from Patrick’s dad, who was a schoolboy in the early years of Ireland’s independence, when studying Irish was an exercise in nation-building. Then, an interview with Manchan Magan who made a TV series about traveling around Ireland speaking only Irish. Next, we hear from Alexander McCall Smith: his latest offering in the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series is a children’s book in the Scots language. Finally, hip-hop artist Boomer Da Sharpshooter who grew up speaking English but now raps in Cambodia’s main language, Khmer. Download MP3

Dengue Fever

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The band Dengue Fever is based in Los Angeles. But what brings the band’s members together is music from Cambodia. They’ve produced several albums full of Cambodian pop mixed with psychedelic rock. Now the band has put together a new compilation of tunes from Cambodia. It’s called “Electric Cambodia — 14 rare gems from Cambodia’s Past.” Guitarist Zach Holtzman tells us more.

Boomer Da Sharpshoota

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We close today with the story of Cambodian-American rapper Boomer Da Sharpshoota. He grew up in the US but he was deported seven years ago after serving a two-year prison sentence on gun convictions. Boomer now lives in Cambodia and he’s been learning to rap in Khmer. That’s no easy feat since it’s not the language he grew up speaking. Corey Takahashi has his story.

• Boomer on MySpace