©
Phalinn Ooi
Cambodia Travel Guide
©
Phalinn Ooi
Politics has a dominant position and runs all decisions taken at a national level. However, more and more people are becoming known in other parts of life.
If you had to choose one, you would have to talk about King Norodom Sihanouk, who died in 2012. He was the most popular Cambodian king, and even years after his death his name carries the same enormous respect. The current king, Norodom Sihamoni, the son of Sihanouk, is much less popular.
Sihanouk gave a lot to Cambodia during his life: he came to power when he was 18 years old, helped by the French, and he helped the country gain its independence. He is most famous for working to open many different hospitals in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, and was very well respected for his politics.
As far as current politicians are concerned, we should spend some time on Hun Sen, who has been Prime Minister of Cambodia since 1998. He is a strong politician, who has been accused in the past by the opposition of creating an authoritarian regime bordering on dictatorship. His party, the Cambodian People's Party, dominates Cambodia due to corruption.
The opposition party, the CNRP (Cambodian National Rescue Party), tries any way it can to get a foothold in the political landscape. Its political leader, Sam Rainsy, is very well known amongst Cambodians.
Today, Cambodian art is beginning to resurface after years of dictatorship. The director Rithy Panh is internationally recognised for his engaging work on the Khmer Rouge period.
Amongst Cambodians, the actor Kompheak Phoeung is also very popular. He has been talked about recently because he has a prominent role in the film 'The Gate' alongside Raphael Personnaz, which came out in December 2014. The film is about Cambodia in 1971 and the rise to power of the Khmers Rouges. Thanet Torn also plays alongside him. These are two rising stars who are exporting Cambodian history and art to the world.
Many singers have also become big stars of today: Preap Sovath is the most famous and popular amongst young Cambodians. You will almost certainly hear one of his songs during your trip to Cambodia!
Another celebrity, known in the USA, is Maddox Pitt Jolie - the adopted son of Brad and Angelina!
