VUTHASURF

Cambodia’s National Police Commissioner Hok Lundy was killed in Helicopter crash at around 8:00 mp in evening Sunday in Svay Reing province en route to Bavet town, along as with Deputy Commander of Army, Sok Sa Em and other two pilots, local media reported.

Hok Lundy is the most powerful figure in the Cambodian People’s Party and is listed as the 20^th most senior official with the party and the party’s standing committee. He is in charge of the post of National Police Commissioner more than 14 years after being appointed in 1994.

Hon Lundy’s power is getting stronger and stronger after his daughter got married to Prime Minister Hun Sen’s son in January 2002. And he is the key in strengthening Prime Minister Hun Sen’s hold over the country’s security apparatus.

On the morning’s celebrations of the 55^th anniversary of Cambodia’s independence from France, Hon Lundy joined the Independence Day and he met with the helicopter crash in the evening at the same day in Svay Rieng province.

He provided big funds to construct Svay Rieng University in Svay Rieng province, where is for providing Cambodian youths to easily access the high education and he has a big villa in Bavet as well.

Popularity: 37% [?]

Recently, the Cambodia government will enforce the truck, taxi or van’s drivers to enforce the road traffic law not to allow passengers to ride on the roof into the city in order to reduce danger. The fine for infractions will range from 7,000 riels (US$1.75) to 10,000 riels. Repeat offenders could be fined as much as 50,000 riels.

“From today, we will fine overloaded trucks and vans from the provinces that allow passengers to ride on the roof into the city because it is dangerous,” Tin Prasoeur, chief of the Phnom Penh traffic police quoted by Phnom Penh Post as saying.

I always observe that trucks or taxi transport the overloaded passengers, especially before and after special events such Khmer New Year, and P’chum Ben festivals. That is great that the municipality have to take strict measure to impose the find on the overloaded trucks or taxi’s drivers. And it is the way for reducing danger.

Popularity: 52% [?]

Before the July 27’s general election, the value of the property market - land and houses - was increasing throughout Cambodia. Land disputes are happening across the country, especially in provinces. The land disputes led to violation and people have been killed. Grabbing land is going up.

Increasing the price of land, the poor villagers were happy with selling their farm land used for planting rice, and crops. The farming land has been bought by land speculators such as the rich, powerful and the middle class. In the future, the poor will face difficulties in the landless for farming rice.

Before and after the national election, the land price is staying quiet. By the way, it is because the military standoff between Cambodia and Thailand at Prear Vihear temple broken out since July 15.

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Popularity: 30% [?]

At least 77 Cambodian people have been killed by lightening this year in Cambodia; most of them are the Cambodian citizens living in rural areas. In comparison, the lightning toll is higher than landmine, only nine.

Traditionally, it is believed that when someone is strike by lightning, covering the victims with a white cloth will help them recover. The people were hit by lightning, especially during the rainy season.

Piseth posted his blog entitled “The Cruel Lightning in Rainy Season” and he expresses his doubt:

“I wonder whether it is because of the natural disaster or the loose of natural resources and as a result it brings this phenomenon? Maybe, it is because of the growing and expansion of magnetic area with all the cable and stuffs like that around the living area that’s why it causes such problems. In order to prevent or to avoid something like this happen then individual should be aware of that and should not go under the big tree or big light stand during the raining and not using any mechanic tools while it is raining. Prevention better than treatment!”

More lightning strikes could be because of more storms, broader storms, or storms that are higher in the sky than usual; Don MacGornam was quoted by the Cambodia Daily.

Popularity: 7% [?]