Development in Cambodia in recent years has taken a bizarre path. This may be epitomized by the dramatic story of the grotesque Koh Pich, or “diamond island”, a symbol of the sudden, intense infrastructure boom in the capital Phnom Penh. Thousands have been evicted from here, in order to build luxury houses, golf courses, amusement parks, and even entire quarters that are supposed to resemble old european architechture. Ordinary people can only stare in awe at the surreal atmosphere of what looks like a movie set, dreaming of a better future.
