Guest Posted August 17, 2003 Report Share Posted August 17, 2003 See the latest Gordon Sharpless update on http://talesofasia.com/cambodia-update.htm Dark Heart On July 22 the US Embassy released the following: The U.S. Embassy has decided to declare the Heart of Darkness Bar/Nightclub on Road 51 in Phnom Penh off limits to U.S. Government personnel. This decision was made after several potentially life threatening incidents to Westerners (and) other patrons of the club. The Embassy suggests that American citizens refrain from visiting the club until further notice. This, dare I say, is a message based in fact. The Heart, one of Phnom Penh's original and most well-known western-oriented bars, has in the past year become a preferred hangout for young Khmers with rich and influential daddies. These young Khmers therefore need not be responsible for anything they might do and the incidents of violence are real. I know of one westerner who was assaulted, accused of "looking down on Khmers," and have heard additional reports of other westerners being beaten for causing offense to some young Khmer with a powerful daddy. According to reports the offenses have been walking too close (within five meters), staring too long (in excess of one-tenth of a second), being white, being tall, being short, being with a Khmer girl, being with a western girl, being alone, etc. In other words, if you go to the Heart do steer clear of 20-year-old, well-dressed Khmers, who look like they don't give a hoot about anything because that includes you. I really didn't want to slag off on the Heart as I've personally never had a problem there (though I don't go there very often), but in light of the numerous reports I've heard from other expats and the official warning from the US Embassy I thought I'd pass this along. If the Heart can sort this problem out I will gladly report on the development. Meanwhile Street 51 still offers Howie's, Shanghai Bar, and the Walkabout. Howie's, a couple of doors down from the Heart, is clearly the most laid back of the three and a great place to chill at 3 a.m. The main page for this site is on http://talesofasia.com/cambodia.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minuman Posted August 17, 2003 Report Share Posted August 17, 2003 Personally, the most annoying feature of the said establishment is the dodgy expat(?) Dutchman, who entertains some suspiciously juvenile looking Khmer-fellows in the premises . The guy is small and bald and seems to prefer a biking-shirt of some sort as his attire. I wouldn't mind (assuming his companions are of legal age :, but this git took a liking to my Japanese mate and wouldn't take a simple "take a hike" as an answer :onfire:, causing something of a stir and then some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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