By Kambuja Amatak
Phnom Penh Post
People pay their respects to the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk in
front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, October 2012. Photograph: Heng
Chivoan/Phnom Penh Post
Dear Norodom Soma,
It’s easy to point out the obvious: the Cambodian monarchy is crippled and heading towards disappearing.
Ask just about any person in the street, and they can probably give you the gist of your column last Friday (no offence intended).
The main challenge should be to offer, and to advocate, a sound solution.
It would be nice if you could provide us with an article on what that solution might be.
The monarchy and its customs are deeply rooted in Khmer culture, and I would hate to see it disappear.
To have a successful monarchy (body), as with any government, the “body” needs to demand authority.
Authority, in short, comes from differentiating the “body” from the masses and demonstrating to the public how this “body” is more able and more intelligent.
I’m sure this was the driving force behind King Jayavarman I climbing Phnom Kulen with priests to declare himself a “god” king.
The current “body” has yet to demand this authority, aside from whatever remains of the authority that has been handed down and bestowed.
I have had the honour and the pleasure of interacting with numerous royals, and I have not felt this “differentiation” and “demand”. It felt as though there was nothing, apart from the title “Excellency”, to respect (again, no offence is intended).
On this note, self-demanded authority is respected, whereas handed-down authority is gossiped about and frowned upon.
A rich man’s impotent family will never command the same respect as the rich man himself – if it commands any respect at all.
I don’t intend to sound picky and shallow, but I think most royals have forgotten the basic ingredient for being a public figure: self-presentation.
I’m sure Barack Obama, Donald Trump, the Thai royals and countless other successful businessmen and politicians would attest to the importance of professional, sharp, elegant and clean public presentation.
Americans are fond of saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Well, too bad – this is Asia.
Looking “expensive” matters. Go with the flow. Even middle-class Thais and Singaporeans can afford this. Budget shouldn’t be an excuse.
Yingluck Shinawatra’s attendance to pay her respects to the King Father illustrates another flaw: the lack of rules, procedures and regulations.
The Thai prime minister was so gentle and placed her head all the way to the ground to show respect, but some Cambodian officials didn’t even get on their knees.
This is a royal ceremony, so it should be standardised and uniform. It’s not a buffet of “do as you see fit”.
The royals are the foremost representation of Cambodia. If even the most elite of Cambodians lack this uniformity, what will the world think of the rest of us?
I didn’t write this to offend or to point fingers. I wrote it to express my sadness in witnessing this downfall, and I hope it will stir some response among the royals.
I like the Cambodian monarchy, and I want to see it not only survive but thrive. And yes, unity among the royals would be a good start.
Thank you for your time, understanding, consideration (and forgiveness, if I have come out too strongly). You have my best of wishes.
PS: Please use Norodom Soma, as opposed to Soma Norodom. It’s the Cambodian way.
You’re a Cambodian royal, so please represent us well. You will never hear anyone address the Thai King as Adulyadej Bhumibol.
It’s easy to point out the obvious: the Cambodian monarchy is crippled and heading towards disappearing.
Ask just about any person in the street, and they can probably give you the gist of your column last Friday (no offence intended).
The main challenge should be to offer, and to advocate, a sound solution.
It would be nice if you could provide us with an article on what that solution might be.
The monarchy and its customs are deeply rooted in Khmer culture, and I would hate to see it disappear.
To have a successful monarchy (body), as with any government, the “body” needs to demand authority.
Authority, in short, comes from differentiating the “body” from the masses and demonstrating to the public how this “body” is more able and more intelligent.
I’m sure this was the driving force behind King Jayavarman I climbing Phnom Kulen with priests to declare himself a “god” king.
The current “body” has yet to demand this authority, aside from whatever remains of the authority that has been handed down and bestowed.
I have had the honour and the pleasure of interacting with numerous royals, and I have not felt this “differentiation” and “demand”. It felt as though there was nothing, apart from the title “Excellency”, to respect (again, no offence is intended).
On this note, self-demanded authority is respected, whereas handed-down authority is gossiped about and frowned upon.
A rich man’s impotent family will never command the same respect as the rich man himself – if it commands any respect at all.
I don’t intend to sound picky and shallow, but I think most royals have forgotten the basic ingredient for being a public figure: self-presentation.
I’m sure Barack Obama, Donald Trump, the Thai royals and countless other successful businessmen and politicians would attest to the importance of professional, sharp, elegant and clean public presentation.
Americans are fond of saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Well, too bad – this is Asia.
Looking “expensive” matters. Go with the flow. Even middle-class Thais and Singaporeans can afford this. Budget shouldn’t be an excuse.
Yingluck Shinawatra’s attendance to pay her respects to the King Father illustrates another flaw: the lack of rules, procedures and regulations.
The Thai prime minister was so gentle and placed her head all the way to the ground to show respect, but some Cambodian officials didn’t even get on their knees.
This is a royal ceremony, so it should be standardised and uniform. It’s not a buffet of “do as you see fit”.
The royals are the foremost representation of Cambodia. If even the most elite of Cambodians lack this uniformity, what will the world think of the rest of us?
I didn’t write this to offend or to point fingers. I wrote it to express my sadness in witnessing this downfall, and I hope it will stir some response among the royals.
I like the Cambodian monarchy, and I want to see it not only survive but thrive. And yes, unity among the royals would be a good start.
Thank you for your time, understanding, consideration (and forgiveness, if I have come out too strongly). You have my best of wishes.
PS: Please use Norodom Soma, as opposed to Soma Norodom. It’s the Cambodian way.
You’re a Cambodian royal, so please represent us well. You will never hear anyone address the Thai King as Adulyadej Bhumibol.
Kambuja Amatak
The views expressed above are solely the author’s and do not reflect any positions taken by The Phnom Penh Post.
Send letters to: newsroom@phnompenhpost.com or PO Box 146, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The Post reserves the right to edit letters to a shorter length.
The views expressed above are solely the author’s and do not reflect any positions taken by The Phnom Penh Post.
Send letters to: newsroom@phnompenhpost.com or PO Box 146, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The Post reserves the right to edit letters to a shorter length.
4 comments:
Just love the comment very much.
As Khmer descent leran to understand, that the king just not the reign of Cambodia. But the King Khmer represent of all formd of our Khmer culture, our Khmer idnetity and the ways of life of our Khmer people since many generations.
Was also very impressed to know, how the Thai Prime Minsiter pays her respect to our former King, by placing her body-head to the grund to show her great low to our former King.
Contrary our Khmer government officials didn't get on their knee, because they were so proud, but lack a lot of disciplines and responsibilities.
Some of you might not love the person, but please you should have more respects our representing.
You nail it. LOve you comment.From the royals to the big stud and small can not compare to the thai priminister.Khmer have rich culture and should be proud of but,these people embarace us on TV.They all not sure what to wear or act. Shame shame shmae.
Khmer officials, like Khmer soldiers, do not have discipline. On the mourning days, I saw some wore arm band, some not, some wear white clothes and others just wear their everyday clothes. Some police wear uniforms, others just normal clothes. Look at the way the police, officials and army officers wear their uniforms. Some generals, police or army, sometimes wear normal shirts, or thongs to the meeting or to work or official functions. I see one Cambodian general went to a meeting with Thai generals and hear wears only a normal pant and shirts and wearing thongs. How embarrassing!
Thong is under wear,how can a person wear Thong to the meeting? Do you know what thong is? Its under wear!!!
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