Kingdom of the Monkey

Cambodia, 1993–2003, is a captivating yet obscure country with shocking and surprising events, including civil wars and the free-for-all capital of Phnom Penh.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 228 pages
Publication date: 14 February 2023
Publisher: The Conrad Press

Kingdom of the Monkey is a captivating and vivid account of a country that is both captivating and obscure in every way. Set in Cambodia from 1993 to 2003, the book explores a time when all acceptable norms of humanity seem to be turned upside down. The last of Indochina's civil wars, which were grinding on in the countryside, is presented as a mere sideshow diversion to the main events being played out in the free-for-all capital of Phnom Penh.

Cambodia, 1993-2003: A Country of Contrasts

Cambodia, a country of contrasts, is a land of breathtaking beauty and profound poverty. The country's history is marked by decades of conflict, including the Khmer Rouge regime, which caused widespread destruction and loss of life. Despite its challenges, Cambodia has a rich cultural heritage that includes ancient temples, stunning landscapes, and a vibrant arts scene.

One of the most striking aspects of Cambodia's history is the Khmer Rouge regime, which ruled the country from 1975 to 1979. The regime was characterized by its extreme brutality, with millions of people killed and tortured. The regime's leader, Pol Pot, was a charismatic figure who believed in the creation of a utopian society based on agrarianism and the elimination of all forms of modern technology.

The Khmer Rouge's reign of terror was brought to an end by the Vietnamese invasion in 1979, which led to the establishment of a new government. However, the country's recovery has been slow and difficult, with many people still living in poverty and suffering from the effects of the regime's policies.

Despite the challenges, Cambodia has made significant progress in recent years. The country has become a popular tourist destination, with its stunning temples and beautiful landscapes attracting visitors from all over the world. The arts scene has also flourished, with a growing number of artists and musicians producing work that reflects the country's unique culture and history.

However, Cambodia's progress has been marred by ongoing political instability and corruption. The country's government is still dominated by a small elite, and there are concerns about the potential for further violence and unrest.

One of the most significant challenges facing Cambodia is the issue of land rights. Many people in the country are landless, and the government has been slow to address this issue. This has led to a number of conflicts between landowners and farmers, and has contributed to the country's poverty.

In addition to land rights, Cambodia also faces a number of environmental challenges. The country's forests are being cleared at an alarming rate, and this has led to deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution. This has had a negative impact on the country's agriculture and has contributed to the country's food insecurity.

Despite these challenges, Cambodia has a lot to offer the world. The country's culture is rich and diverse, and its people are warm and welcoming. The country's natural beauty is breathtaking, and its arts scene is growing.

In conclusion, Kingdom of the Monkey is a captivating and vivid account of a country that is both captivating and obscure in every way. Set in Cambodia from 1993 to 2003, the book explores a time when all acceptable norms of humanity seem to be turned upside down. The Khmer Rouge regime, which ruled the country from 1975 to 1979, was characterized by its extreme brutality, and its reign of terror was brought to an end by the Vietnamese invasion in 1979. However, Cambodia's recovery has been slow and difficult, and the country faces a number of ongoing political instability and corruption challenges. Despite these challenges, Cambodia has a lot to offer the world, and its culture, natural beauty, and arts scene are worth exploring.

Dimension: 198 x 129 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781915494344