Tourists in Phnom Penh Find Novelty Among Demonstrations

Despite the demonstration at Freedom Park, razor-wire barricades, blocked streets and clashes between citizens and police in the past two days, it appears that the camp-in and security presence in the city are merely a novelty for some tourists. On Monday afternoon, one couple, Australians John and Barbara Keane, sat on the riverfront sipping cocktails unperturbed, just as they had on Sunday during a clash between protesters and police on Sisowath Quay. “We had a front row seat,” said Ms. Keane, 64. “We could see the anger in their [the demonstrators] eyes.” A British couple posing for photos in front of the National Museum said they also witnessed the clash on Sunday when protesters on the riverside tore down razor-wire barricades and threw stones at police. … “We had a front row seat,” said Ms. Keane, 64. “We could see the anger in their [the demonstrators] eyes.” A British couple posing for photos in front of the National Museum said they also witnessed the clash on Sunday when protesters on the riverside tore down razor-wire barricades and threw stones at police. … At a guesthouse near Freedom Park on Monday, four Finnish tourists preparing to board a bus said they regretted that they had pre-booked before realizing there was a demonstration in Phnom Penh this week. “[The demonstrations] have made Phnom Penh so much more exciting and we have been able to see everything from our hostel,” said Gisse Rajanaki, 21. …

 Matt Blomberg
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/elections/tourists-in-phnom-penh-find-novelty-among-demonstrations-42535/