The Documentary Podcast Assignment: The human cost of developing Cambodia's Angkor wonder
Dec 31, 2024
Tourism is booming at Cambodia's Angkor, but this comes with a heavy price. Thousands are displaced, facing loss of homes and livelihood under the guise of development. Villagers share their harrowing stories, revealing claims of forced evictions and debt. The emotional toll is immense, with families torn from their ancestral lands. As authorities clash with local communities, the intricate dance between heritage preservation and tourism challenges emerges, spotlighting the human rights violations hidden behind the temple's grandeur.
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Generational Stonemasons
- A Cambodian stonemason's family has worked on the Angkor temples for generations.
- They now face pressure to relocate from their ancestral land, despite their pleas to stay.
Runtaek Resettlement
- Thousands have been relocated to Runtaek, a barren plain with inadequate housing.
- Many families struggle with poverty, lack of work, and poor living conditions, leading to a ghost town.
Debt and Displacement
- One relocated man had to sell possessions and take out a loan to build a house in Runtaek.
- Due to lack of work, he lives back in his village and only visits his new house occasionally.