Cambodia on the Net

One of many internet sites set-up by overseas Cambodians

Many Cambodians have fled the years of war in their home country and now live abroad, primarily in the United States, Australia and France.

The growth of the Internet has enabled them to stay in touch, with each other and with events in their home country, through a wide range of websites.

Here is a quick introduction to some of the most useful Cambodian resources currently online:

Government and political parties

Few Cambodians have phones, even fewer have Web access

Few people in Cambodia have access to a telephone, let alone the Internet (there is only one telephone set per 1,212 of the population). Nevertheless, most of the main Cambodian political parties have a presence on the Web.

• Cambodian People's Party (USA) led by current Second Prime Minister, Hun Sen

• Prince Norodom Ranariddh's royalist party, FUNCINPEC, has two sites, one in Cambodia and the other based in the United States

• The Sam Rainsy Party led by former Finance Minister, Sam Rainsy

• Reastr Niyum party first Prime Minister Ung Huot's party

You can also access the Cambodian Embassy in Washington DC for the official line on Cambodia's government and economy.

Media

Prince Ranariddh and other politicians have taken campaigning onto the Web

The Phnom Penh Post and The Phnom Penh Daily are two Cambodia-based newspapers with regularly updated websites.

Outside Cambodia, Cambodian American Radio Network - an independent, listener-supported organisation - has a site where you can listen to its broadcasts and also includes a weekly review of Cambodian newspapers.

But there are many other sites offering comprehensive news and views on events, including: KhmerNet, The Cambodian Information Centre, andKampuchea Internet Inc.

Alongside these, the Cambodian Student's Association of San Diego have a "Cambodian cyber culture" site at Angkor Wat Internet.

At Cyber Cambodia, a California-based site, as well as news and information on Cambodia you can also listen to a range of Cambodian pop!

Other general information is on the CIA World Fact Book page for Cambodia

Human Rights and NGO reports

At home in cyberspace: Cambodia's Washington embassy has its own website

Cambodia's troubled history under the Khmer Rouge is explored in a major project known as the Cambodia Genocide Programme, based at Yale University in the US.

Regarding the 1998 elections, the US-based organisation Human Rights Watch says polling is not likely to be fair - you can read their report online.

The International Crisis Group is another multinational organisation that says Cambodia is not yet ready for free elections.

Travel and Tourism

The jungle temple of Angkor Wat

Cambodia, home to the famous jungle temple of Angkor Wat, is also well publicised on the web as a tourist destination.

Cambodia Web is one of the most comprehensive with pictures, maps and other information and says it is officially auhorised by the Cambodian government.

The Lonely Planet travel group has information on travel in the country on its Destination Cambodia page.