Tuesday, 8 July 2014

Koh Kong City

Koh Kong City has a sleazy past but it is working hard to change its reputation by developing a greater ecotourism. Although ecotourism is attracting a new crowd, it is evident that its darker side remains. It is a strange place and the more you dig around the more undeniable it is that its seediness remains in full swing. Local grumbles include that a price of a shag has risen from $3 to $20 and that "that one prostitute... who looks 20... is actually 15 years old". The notoriously nicknamed "chicken farm" uses violence and drug addiction to control the vulnerable women who find themselves there. Sex trafficking is also commonplace. I learnt that a particularly attractive women could be sold for $1,000 but one who is less fortunate looking can be bought for as little as $300. After showing perhaps too much curiosity I was asked to be involved with an exposé of the brothel, where it was planned that I would go inside with an undercover camera. Only when I was told how much "security" I would need - consisting of ex hells angels and a cage fighter - that I decided it was possibly a bad idea, after all curiosity did kill the cat as I am often reminded.... and perhaps it's possible that I am not the most inconspicuous for the job. But these occurrences are certainly not confined to Koh Kong City. During my travels in Cambodia, I have regularly heard of similar activity transpiring across the country.

Cambodia is also suffering from an increasing prevalence of HIV cases - partially as an outcome to this irresponsible sex tourism. For me it was extremely difficult to learn about the Cambodians total misconceptions about the virus. Perhaps not about HIVs seriousness, but absolutely about its prevention. It is a common belief among Khmer men that after unprotected sex if they only remember to wash their penis under soapy water then they will be just fine - HIV risk completely eliminated. It is this lack of education which is most disconcerting and contributing to the fact Cambodia has the highest rate of HIV in Asia. It also adds an even more sickening element to the horrendous fact that a significant percentage of Khmer men's first time is within a gang rape situation. An immense issue which Cambodian society quietly - or perhaps obliviously - overlooks. To grasp the sheer extent of the issue I think the percentage is a nauseating 23% of females in Cambodia are raped at least once in their lives. To contemplate such an inhumane violation being tolerated within a society that has complete disregard to the dangers of unprotected sex and HIV is becoming an extremely serious risk really is frightening.

I think I have slightly gone off topic. Despite all of the issues caused by Koh Kong City's sex tourism allure, Koh Kong is a great gateway to experience the richness of Cambodia's land. I did a trek into the Cardamom Mountains, a walk in the mangroves and some bike rides into jungle-lined roads.






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