“Journey Along the Khmer Road: Preserving Heritage, Confronting Looting, and Carving a Path to Cultural Restoration”

A recent episode of 60 Minutes titled “The Looting of Cambodia” and presented by Anderson Cooper, tells the story of more than 30 years of thefts of national treasures. The majority of these valuable pieces of art have wound up in prestigious museums and the private collections of the very rich. You can watch the 60 Minute presentation at this link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1DFOGHHcm4

This is my published comment to the above story:

“Thank you 60 Minutes and Anderson Cooper for bringing to light the travesty perpetuated against Cambodia in the looting of their national treasures. This looting was also taking place in Lao and Thailand. During this time period (2000–2015) I lived in what is referred to as the Asian Emerald Triangle, where Cambodia, Laos and Thailand intersect. These remote rural locations allowed the widespread looting, even the government militaries participated in these thefts”.

I had become enchanted with the people, culture and historical significance of an area known as the Emerald Triangle (where Cambodia, Laos and Thailand meet). After many trips exploring the ancient sanctuaries along the 1000 kilometer Khmer Road, which traverses the three countries, I decided to make this my home.