If you are considering teaching English in Cambodia, chances are you’ve been doing extensive research. Throughout this research, you will have seen references to Cambodge, Cambodia, the Khmer Republic and the Khmer Empire. Do these different names all refer to the same place? The answer is a resounding ‘yes’.
Cambodge, Cambodia, the Khmer Empire, and the Khmer Republic are often used interchangeably. Still, it’s important to grasp that each name represents different periods, cultural influences, and governance throughout the country’s history. Read on to learn more about the differences between Cambodge, Cambodia, the Khmer Empire, and the Khmer Republic.
Khmer Empire
Whether you’re more familiar with the names Cambodge, Cambodia, the Khmer Republic, or something else, the origin of this magnificent country I’ve had the good fortune to call home for the past decade is the Khmer Empire. From the 9th to the 15th centuries, the Khmer Empire sprawled across the countries we now know as Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia. The Khmer Empire had political, cultural, and religious dimensions. Historians have a high opinion of the Khmer Empire, referencing, among other things, advanced irrigation systems and architectural achievements, including Angkor Wat.
History books are filled with stories of empires rising and falling, and the story of the Khmer Empire is no different. Its demise in the 15th century led to a period of political instability. Still, its rich culture, language, customs, and traditions have endured, permeating through the various phases of the country – Cambodge, Cambodia, the Khmer Republic, and the like.
The Khmer Empire was just the beginning. Read on. Learn more about Cambodge, Cambodia, the Khmer Empire, and the Khmer Republic.
Cambodge, Cambodia, under colonial rule
From 1863 to 1953, Cambodia was part of a French ‘protectorate’ (along with Vietnam and Laos) known as Indochina. During this period, the country was called “Cambodge” by its French colonisers. The French colonial period left an indelible influence on the country that’s still evident today, especially in its administrative systems, food choices, and architecture. If you do end up teaching English in Cambodia, make sure you find the time to visit the Central Market and the Old Post Office. You’d be hard-pressed to find better examples of French colonial architecture anywhere in the world. Both buildings are stunning. The Raffles Hotel building in central Phnom Penh is another French ‘masterpiece’ that’s well worth checking out.
Despite being 70+ years since the French packed up and left the region, the term ‘Cambodge’ is still commonly used by native French speakers when referring to Cambodia. The prevalence of the name ‘Cambodge’ signifies the enduring French influences that shaped Cambodia’s identity.
Cambodia, the nation-state we know and love
After almost a century of French occupation, with Cambodge being the common name, Cambodia emerged as a constitutional monarchy under King Norodom Sihanouk. Since then, the name ‘Cambodia’ (or ‘Kampuchea’ in Khmer) has been commonly used on the ‘world stage.’
How would I describe the Cambodia that we know and love today? An economic powerhouse in Southeast Asia where the old sits comfortably with the new. The nation’s capital city, Phnom Penh, is a hub of economic activity and cultural revival, with modern apartment and office buildings alongside historic landmarks. Since the fall of the Khmer Empire, Phnom Penh has been the epicentre of Cambodge, Cambodia, the Khmer Republic – and the Khmer Rouge regime.
The regional city of Siem Reap, home to the world-famous Angkor Wat temple, successfully blends a substantial tourism industry with people going about their everyday lives. Sihanoukville is another major regional city in Cambodia. Over the past 20 years, Sihanoukville has transformed from a gorgeous beachside location to a version of Macau with wall-to-wall casinos. In my opinion, it’s a stunning example of economic development gone wrong. ‘Each to their own,’ as the old adage goes.
Rural areas in Cambodia have also seen significant transformation over the past few decades with major infrastructure projects and better access for local people to education, healthcare, and other services that citizens in developed countries take for granted. Despite rapid development and a clear trajectory to becoming a Southeast Asian powerhouse, Cambodia remains deeply connected to its cultural heritage. The ability of Cambodian people to blend the old and new is truly something to behold. Today, Cambodia is a vibrant and diverse country with a booming economy and a cultural heritage that’s a testament to the resilience of local people.
Khmer Republic, a tumultuous chapter
Between 1970 and 1975, after a coup led by General Lon Nol, the Kingdom of Cambodia was temporarily transformed into the Khmer Republic. This unfolded during a period of political conflict on a global scale – and while a war was raging in neighbouring Vietnam (and Laos). Countries worldwide aligned themselves with superpowers. The Lon Nol Government openly expressed an anti-communist position. It began receiving substantial military and economic support from the United States of America. Many citizens of the ‘new’ Khmer Republic, especially people living in regional and rural areas, did not share the political views of General Lon Nol and his government. Unsurprisingly, civil war broke out, and in 1975, the communist Khmer Rouge, led by Pol Pot, stormed Phnom Penh and overthrew the Lon Nol Government. What followed was an absolute tragedy not only in the history of Cambodia but in the history of humanity. It’s estimated that more than two million Cambodian people died during the Khmer Rouge period due to starvation, disease, torture, being overworked, and similar. Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge Government was overthrown by the Vietnamese military in 1979.
Following the removal of the Khmer Rouge, the Kingdom of Cambodia was reinstated, and the country has enjoyed relative stability for the past forty (plus) years. With a new, youngish Prime Minister elected in August 2023, citizens of Cambodia overwhelmingly look to the future with a sense of optimism.
Conclusion
Let me summarise what I have canvassed in this blog post.
The Khmer Empire, Cambodge, Cambodia, the Khmer Republic, and the Khmer Empire are four names for different epochs. The origin of the country commonly referred to as Cambodge, Cambodia, and/or the Khmer Republic can be found in the Khmer Empire, which endured for over 600 years. During almost a century, Cambodia, or Cambodge as it was known then, adopted countless political and cultural French influences. The end of French occupation in 1953 heralded the emergence of Cambodia as a nation in its own right, which, following the devastation of the Khmer Rouge, re-emerged in the late 1970s.
While Cambodge, Cambodia, the Khmer Empire, and the Khmer Republic refer to the same geographical region (+/-), they identify vastly different periods of Cambodia’s history spanning 1000+ years.
About the writer: Rob Winton completed the Australian Government-accredited TESOL programme at AVSE-TESOL in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, fourteen years ago. For the past 10+ years, Rob has worked as an ESL teacher in Phnom Penh while pursuing his passion for local history, including the Khmer Empire, Cambodge, Cambodia, the Khmer Republic, and the Khmer Rouge periods.
What I am doing in Cambodge, Cambodia…….
Perspective:
I was drawn to Asia, specifically Cambodge (the French name for Cambodia), because of 1. my French-American heritage, 2. the need for some form of closure on a family tragedy, 3. the low cost of living, and 4. a burning desire to teach English or French abroad – I’m fluent in both languages. In this article, I will touch on the four points, let you know what I’m currently doing and share my experience during a recent weekend away in Siem Reap.
Allow me to use Cambodge as distinct from Cambodia throughout this article because it’s the name I grew up with in a French-speaking household, albeit in the United States.
Pull factors:
What’s the connection between Cambodge and my French-American heritage? Cambodge, or Cambodia in English, was a French colony (a Protectorate) for 90+ years. I see Cambodge as a terrific destination to explore my French roots – colonial history, architecture, language, food, and much more. We’re all a product of our personal history, and other than trekking to France, there’s no better place in the world to explore French history than Cambodge.
What’s the ‘family tragedy’ connection with Cambodge? Growing up in the United States, whenever countries that were part of the French Protectorate (Indo China) – Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos – were mentioned on the television or in general conversation, my old dad would quietly leave the room. As a young kid, I thought nothing of it. I was 18 when I first heard snippets about what burdened my dad, from a distant relative. Dad’s older brother, Jacques (my uncle), served in the US military during the Vietnam War. Jacques disappeared in March 1970, presumed dead, somewhere in Svay Rieng Province in Cambodge, close to the border with Vietnam. Dad never shared the story about Uncle Jacques with my siblings and me. Looking back, I can see that dad carried grief over the loss of his older brother to the end of his own life. His grief explains the ‘quiet departures’ from the kitchen, living room and elsewhere when Vietnam, Cambodia or Laos was mentioned on the television – and the ‘heavy hand’ that was there for everyone in my immediate family to see – often. People deal with grief in different ways. On behalf of my dad, who carried grief to his grave, it would be good to obtain closure of some sort. I have plans for an extended visit to Svay Rieng Province in Cambodge during the Khmer New Year to search for information. It would be nice to report in this article that the US Government has been helpful in my quest to learn what happened to Uncle Jacques in 1970. Regrettably, I cannot do so. The lack of information may have something to do with Jacques’ ‘specialist’ work at the time. While in Cambodge, obtaining closure for my family is a personal mission.
What’s the attraction of the low cost of living in Cambodge? The answer is simple. Like many other people of my generation in the United States and elsewhere, making ends meet is a constant struggle. I worked two jobs before leaving my hometown and barely managed to keep my ‘head above water’. As bizarre as it may seem, my personal math suggests that I will be financially better off living and working in a 3rd world country like Cambodge rather than the wealthiest country in the world.
What’s the motivation to teach English (or French abroad)? First, having been born and raised in the United States, I’m a native English speaker. There is massive demand in Cambodge for people with decent English language skills and valid qualifications to work as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher. Second, working as a teacher in Cambodge will allow me to pay my way while I’m abroad.
So, I’ve outlined what attracted me to Cambodge – a French connection, an unresolved family matter, a desire to live my best life and the opportunity to work as a language teacher. Let’s look at what I’ve been doing since I landed in Phnom Penh, a bit over seven weeks ago.
Laying the foundations:
I’ve rented a single-room ‘apartment’ on Street 19 in Phnom Penh for US $230.00 a month, plus utilities at around US $50.00 a month. My rent and the bills are 85% less than what I paid in the United States. True, my room is not the Hilton. It’s smallish, located on the 4th floor (no elevator) and bereft of color and furniture. It has reasonable WIFI, which is unusual in Cambodge. The neighbors are lovely. Everything I need is within reasonable walking distance. It will do for now.
Teaching ESL:
Shortly after I arrived in Cambodge, I enrolled at AVSE-TESOL in Phnom Penh, an Australian-owned ESL Teacher Training School with a big reputation. The 4-week TESOL course at AVSE was hard work, but worth every dime. I needed government-regulated TESOL certification from AVSE-TESOL to work as an ESL teacher in Cambodia and qualify for a Work Permit and long-term visa. TESOL certification is my ticket to longevity in Cambodge – I can pay my way and have valid visa coverage. I did toy with the idea of seeking employment as a French teacher, but the massive demand for English teachers in Phnom Penh made the decision for me.
With support from AVSE-TESOL staff on the ground in Phnom Penh, Ms Jing Jing and Mr Peter, I secured a great English / History teaching job at a respected KI to K12 privately owned school in Phnom Penh within three days of completing the TESOL course. My salary from teaching English in Cambodia (US $1,200.00 X 100 hours) will cover my everyday expenses – and costs connected with the prime reasons I chose Cambodge over other possible destinations – French connection, family tragedy, living my best life and working as a language teacher. The rate might seem low compared to what teachers get paid in the United States, but it’s relative to the cost of living. Without cutting corners, most ESL teachers can save around 50% of their monthly income through teaching work in Cambodia. You’d agree that very few working families in the United States have that kind of savings capacity.
My Year 12 History students are currently working individually on a project titled ‘Cambodge to Cambodia’- French Colonialism and Beyond. The project requires a 750-word essay and a 10-minute speaking presentation. I expected antipathy with this history project because, in part at least, it was set by a foreigner (me) – and it demands consideration of upheaval, occupation, encroachment on Khmer land, war and genocide. There has been zero antipathy. During my lifetime, I have never encountered people so at peace with their colonial past – and so welcoming of foreigners – not just my history students, but the wider Khmer population.
What’s the origin of this peace of mind – and welcoming demeanor I haven’t seen anywhere other than Cambodge? I have a view following a weekend in Siem Reap, home of the world-renowned Angkor Wat Temple precinct. Before I share my view, let me tell you about my trip to Siem Reap.
Trip to Siem Reap
The bus trip from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap is not for the faint-hearted. It’s bumpy, hot and painfully slow. The bus departed Phnom Penh around 3.30pm on Friday afternoon and arrived in Siem Reap just after midnight. Although the journey was hideously long and uncomfortable, the timing meant I’d have a full day on Saturday to explore Angkor Wat and surrounding historical sites. On Saturday morning in Siem Reap, I woke early, had breakfast and got a TUK TUK to Angkor Wat accompanied by Ms Oum, a prearranged Khmer guide (shout to Teacher Wally who connected me with Ms Oum).
Angkor Wat dates back to the Khmer Empire in the 12th century, long before names like Cambodge, Cambodia, the Khmer Republic, and others were in vogue. According to Ms Oum, Angkor Wat was originally a holy site for Hindus. It was subsequently converted into one of the most famous Buddhist temples in the world. Ms Oum shared tales behind the murals and imagery depicted on the walls, the celestial dancers (apsaras), the fables, and the myths. As a ‘tourist’, I gloried in the day spent soaking up the cultural revelations. I also gloried in Ms Oum’s insight into Khmer history – the Khmer Empire, Cambodge, Cambodia, the Khmer Republic, the Khmer Rouge years and much more – and her willingness to share her well-informed views on the mindset of local people. I had a lovely time at Angkor Wat. I enjoyed Ms Oum’s company immensely. I learned a lot.
Conclusion
Returning to the question: ‘What’s the origin of this peace of mind – and welcoming demeanor that I haven’t seen anywhere other than Cambodge’? I’m at one with Ms Oum on this question. It’s the deep-rooted spirality of the Khmer people that started with Angkor Wat and the Khmer Empire a thousand years ago (+/-), permeated to Cambodge, Cambodia, the Khmer Republic, through the horrific Khmer Rouge years, to the Kingdom of Cambodia (Cambodge) as we know it today.
To quote Ms Oum: “…….almost to the person, Khmer people believe, ……the greater whole is cosmic, …….there is something greater than themselves, …….there’s more to the human experience that we can sense”. Gosh! I was left with the impression that if folks in developed countries – the United States and suchlike – followed the Cambodian ethos, there’d be more people in the world who’d have peace of mind – and a welcoming demeanor. Indeed, that would make the world a better place.
There’s a lot for me to do in Cambodge – exploring my French heritage, bringing long-overdue closure to family grief, enjoying a quality of life that wasn’t available to me (and others) in the United States – and doing my best as an ESL teacher. I will produce more blog posts so you know how I’m doing with ticking off goals. You will find future posts from me on the AVSE-TESOL website: www.avse.edu.vn
About the writer: Antoine le Bec has French/American heritage. He travelled to Cambodia in 2024, in part at least, to explore his French roots, obtain closure on a family tragedy dating back to the early 1970s, and to teach either English or French in Phnom Penh. Antoine’s blog post, ‘What I am doing in Cambodge, Cambodia…..’ is from the heart and easy to read. Enjoy!
Recent Comments