The recent news of more and more people being trafficked to Cambodia by fraudulent syndicates has discouraged people from working overseas and has brought Cambodia to the forefront of everyone’s mind. The overwhelming media coverage has given many people an extremely bad first impression of Cambodia. Cambodia is equated with human trafficking, as if the country is all about crime. But is this the real Cambodia? Or is the media using the heat to demonize a developing country that many people are not familiar with?
If it weren’t for the media coverage these past few weeks, I’m sure some people wouldn’t know where Cambodia is or have even heard of the country. On the contrary, Angkor Wat is known as a world heritage site, the place where the internationally renowned actress Angelina Jolie filmed Tomb Raider, and started her relationship with Cambodia. She even adopted a Cambodian boy and has devoted her energy and resources to improving the lives of Cambodians.
In the media, Cambodia is a “piggy” scamming paradise and a human purgatory.
In the eyes of Angelina Jolie, Cambodia is a simple country that she has never forgotten and that changed her life.
Which one is the real Cambodia?
Is it what the media says it is? Or is it the one that Angelina Jolie knows firsthand?
A country reborn after 30 years of civil war
Cambodia began its civil war in the 1960s and suffered what has been described as “one of the most bloody and violent human disasters of the 20th century” during the Khmer Rouge period, when more than a quarter of the country’s population died. It was not until 1989 that the war, which lasted nearly 30 years, came to an end and the present Cambodia was officially established.
Because the country has suffered so much for so many years, many Cambodians cherish the peace and tranquility that they now enjoy. The Buddhist faith has also given most Cambodians a gentle and kind nature.
Asia’s New Tiger – Rapid Economic Development, Political Stability
The war left the country in ruins and left Phnom Penh, formerly known as the “Little Paris of the East,” in ruins. To rebuild the country, the entire Cambodian nation is struggling with its economy. The United Nations injected $1.7 billion to help stabilize Cambodia’s economy.
Cambodia has adopted an open and liberal monetary policy in order to boost the country’s economy. The absence of foreign exchange controls allows for flexibility and freedom in the use of capital. As a result, many international investors have been attracted to invest their money in Cambodia.
Especially, in 2010, the Cambodian government promulgated the Law on Private Property Rights for Foreigners, which led to the influx of foreign investment into Cambodia and the booming of the construction and real estate industries. Today, it has become one of the four major industries driving Cambodia’s economy, along with agriculture, tourism, and finance.
According to IMF data, Cambodia’s GDP in 2021 will be 6.5 times higher than 20 years ago. According to the World Bank, Cambodia’s per capita income in 2021 will be 5.26 times higher than 30 years ago.
In recent years, Cambodia has been described as “Asia’s new tiger” because of its huge economic potential.
In terms of politics, Cambodia is a constitutional monarchy with the current King, Norodom Sihamoni, as the head of state. The country is actually governed by Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has been in office for 37 years, the longest serving leader in the world. The stability of the political situation and the fact that the policy will not change due to the change of political parties is one of the reasons why international investors favor Cambodia.
Titan Stone Group’s diversified investment in Cambodia
Titan Stone Group has been deeply involved in Cambodia for many years and has diversified its investments. These include
Insurance: Titan Stone Life
Real estate: Picasso City Garden Construction Development, Titan Stone Development
Construction industry: Chinbodia Construction
Special Economic Zone: Titan Stone Special Economic Zone
Titan Stone Life has not only launched several quality insurance products, but also participated in many charity activities, such as the Hun Sen Cup singing contest or sponsorship of schools in remote areas, to help the disadvantaged.
In the real estate business, Titan Stone has completed the Picasso City Garden, luxury residential project, and KY iCENTER, a joint venture with KY Development, as well as the launch of Titan Stone SEZ, which will help Cambodia upgrade its industries by introducing high-tech industry supply chains.
The Titan Stone Group has a deep network of contacts in the country, and through its own resources and connections, has helped some of the victims get out of the mire of gangs and scams.
Is the overwhelming media coverage the truth?
The people of Cambodia are kind, gentle and hardworking; the foreigners who run proper business here are hardworking and diligent. Everyone wants to settle down and create a better future in this land. But all of this has been ignored in the media’s transition and Cambodia has been demonized as a purgatory.
Some of the crimes in Cambodia reported by the media are true, and it is understandable that the media always sensationalizes the story in order to gain public attention. But the media, as the fourth power, should not ignore the whole picture of the country, but should report the truth in a neutral and impartial manner.
In the modern era of information explosion and fake news, we need to think rationally and judge what is true and what is not. Is what some media or celebrities say the truth? Or to discredit potential opponents for their own benefit? This is the only way to prevent yourself from being manipulated by people with an agenda and to understand the truth.
There is no denying that there are imperfections in this country. It is still a long way from being a developed country, and there is still room for improvement in the lives and welfare of its people. Like other countries, there are bad people who engage in illegal gambling, fraud and other criminal activities. The Cambodian government has been working hard to improve the areas that are not perfect, and although the pace of change is not as fast as we expected, it continues to improve.
In Cambodia, there are magnificent historical monuments and beautiful natural landscapes. Most Cambodians live their lives diligently, smiling at people, treating them with sincerity, and cherishing the peace and quiet that comes from a hard-won, war-free life.
At the end of this article, what does Cambodia look like to you in the media? Or is it the way Angelina Jolie sees it?