Korean Missionary Family Killed in Cambodian Road Accident

Photo Courtesy: The Phnom Penh Post

South Korean Missionary family killed in car crash on June 18. After two and a half years of diligently studying the Khmer language in Phnom Penh, the Bang family are on their way to set up a home and ministry in Siemreap when a tourist bus crashed into their vehicle. Both parents and their two children died. The other two, the eldest and youngest, survive but seriously injured. The two children killed and the other one injured attend Hope International School in Phnom Penh.

The Bang Family's photo posted on the gate of Hope International School. The two children on the dad's lap survive the accident

Read the following links for more details.
Asian-Spiritual Horizons
The Cambodia Daily
The Phnom Penh Post

Reckless Driving Kills 4 People in Cambodian Roads Daily

Photo Credit: Koh Santepheap Daily

In Cambodia, road accident is the second largest danger after HIV/AIDS studies said. I have been living in Cambodia for 9 years and have seen, heard, read about road accidents, leaving thousands of people dead year after year. From 2006-2009, 4,375 people died by traffic accidents. Watch this

In 2010, road accidents killed a total of 1,709. During the 3-day Khmer New Year last year, 58 were killed.  

Reckless driving and drunkenness are the major causes of road accident. Lot's of traffic violation is happening daily. Drunk or reckless drivers during wee hours and holidays have caused numerous accidents and deaths. 

Photo Credit: Koh Santepheap Daily

To reduce road accidents in Cambodia, there must be wide-range dissemination of information on traffic laws and education on defensive driving. Education and information, however, are not enough; there must be more severe punishment given to violators. If the law enforcers enforce the law more seriously, drivers will drive more carefully.

In the meantime, drive defensively and carefully. Don't let your emotion drive you. When your emotion is under control, your vehicle will never be out of control. Manage your anger and swallow your pride. At the end of the day, you would be glad, you did!

Cambodia Closes Schools due to 'Unknown' Disease Panic

This photo taken on July 5, 2012 shows a Cambodian woman (L) pulling a child on a gurney at Kantha Bopha children's hospital in Phnom Penh. Medical experts are scrambling to respond to what the Cambodian health ministry and World Health Organization (WHO) have labelled an "undiagnosed syndrome" that has claimed the lives of at least 56 boys and girls, mostly toddlers, since April. AFP / KHEM SOVANNARA

On July 18, 2012 the Ministry of Education shuts down all primary schools and kindergartens to avoid an outbreak of the Enterovirus 71 (EV71).

The Ministry of Health and World Health Organization (WHO) reported earlier this month that about 64, others say 55, children below age 7 died of mysterious disease since April.  Later Institute of Pasteur in Phnom Penh found out that the so called 'mysterious' diseases  is called Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) and is caused by Enterovirus 71. Read more about here 

Last week, the news about this 'killer disease' was sensationalized by CNN.  It is necessary to take precautionary measure but there is no reason to panic; but the media world depicted the situation gruesome/terrible than it actually is. 60 children died within 3 months is still small percentage compared with more than 4 people killed everyday by road accident in Cambodia. Again this is a lot less in comparison with the 58 people died during the 3-day Khmer new year last year. The number of people killed due to traffic accident in Cambodia is far worse than the so called 'mysterious' disease.

Fear of an outbreak, the Ministry of Education closed down schools yesterday morning.