Myanmar is still in a havoc. Riots on the streets, violence, fat political game. Good time for investments, bad for democracy. Old scenario, the boring variant, without American troops marching on but still tempting.

YANGON, Myanmar – Demonstrators on Tuesday tried to mount a new protest against rising prices, but marched only 30 yards before being beaten and wrestled into waiting trucks by civilians who back Myanmar’s military government, witnesses said.

The two dozen protesters shouted slogans against a big fuel price hike and implored onlookers to join them, stressing they were marching peacefully for their rights, said witnesses, who asked not to be quoted by name for fear of reprisals from the regime.

The marchers were quickly set upon by pro-government toughs, who pummeled demonstrators with fists while dragging them into trucks, the witnesses said. At least one protester was reportedly dragged by his feet.A prominent labor activist and former political prisoner, Su Su Nway, took part in the protest, but said she managed to escape in a taxi with several colleagues.

“Peaceful protests are brutally cracked down upon and I want to tell the international community that there is no rule of law in Myanmar,” she told The Associated Press.

More than a dozen of the country’s leading democracy activists, members of the 88 Generation Students group, were detained Aug. 21 before a similar demonstration.

Myanmar activists in exile claimed 200-300 people, including many Buddhist monks, took part in another protest Tuesday in Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State in western Myanmar.

A report on the Web site of the Democratic Voice of Burma, an opposition shortwave radio station based in Norway, said witnesses reported the protest lasted for at least an hour without interference.

Protests triggered by fuel price hikes began Aug. 19 and have continued on an almost daily basis despite a security clampdown by the military government supported by organized bands of civilian toughs serving as law enforcers.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20070828-1504-myanmar-protest.html

Cheers, all

I’m back.  Just received  the finest and the latest update regarding Tachilek Border crossing from Riccardo.  Here we go:

Hi Mike, I finally made my way back home from SE Asia.
As far as entering Burma via Tachilek, here’s what I experienced:

- you can obtained a 10US$ 2-week visa right at the border. Have 3 passport copies and 3 photo with you ready. I didnt have the 3 photo with me, so they allowed me to enter, go to the polaroid place at the end of the border street, turning right at the round square -open from 8am- take pics and go back to the border. I also had the 28-day visa from Myanamr embassy in Italy with me, but they didnt consider it. I think only if you enter via Yangoon you’ll need that.

- I took a bus to KengTung from the bust station (catch a taxi-scooter from the round square at the border to the station): its expensive, around 350 thai bath and it takes 5-6 hours. And its government managed… private taxis are 500 thai bath per person, but you can lower the price. I didnt take the taxi since they look like regular cars and I was concerned about safety and problems with the junta at checkpoints. All these things I realized the opposite after I spent few hours in Burma: awesome people, honest, sweet…acceptable taxis, no problems at all!

- keep in mind every time you travel by bus or taxi they keep your visa with them, so always bring id photocopies with you.

- travelling by air from KengTung to Mandalay is not possibile since you dont have your passport with you. Travelling by air from Mandalay to KengTung is possible, since you have your passport if entering via Yangoon. In this case Im not sure if you can exit at Tachilek. I met a couple that flew from Mandalay to KengTung round way on Air Mandalay with no problems. Check flight schedule well in advance since there are few fligts a week.

- I stayed at Harry’s trekking house. Book in advance to be sure you got a good spot, many big thai tours go there. Harry’s sadly passed away, but his wife is doing a great job, assisting you for anything needed. Trakking is awesome, the animist hilltribes and the views are incredible. Our trekking guide was David (Sai Tint Zaw Tun, or simply Sai Tun) good english and pleasant time. Bring him our for a beer or dinner at night, you’ll have a great time with him!

- KengTung seems to have a 10pm total corefew, I didnt get if it was imposed by the junta, or if it’s, quote “because there’s no money to spend for entertainment”.

Finally, I loved Buma, hope what I have been watching on TV these days will end in favour of burmese people and finally bring democracy, or at least the freedom to talk about whatever they wanna talk about at restaurants (right now they might tell you to shut up if there is anyone around…).

Please write me for any information,

Mingla-baa!

Busy and chaotic in comparison to the rest of the country, it is calm compared with any other city in Asia.  Vientiane, as all of Lao’s most important cities, is situated on the Mekong River which structures the sustenance of the nation.  Vientiane is the core for all passers through in the country.  The city has a population of 450,000, about 10% of the state. French Colonial architecture situates next to golden temples.  Freshly baked French bread is served next to shops serving noodles.

There is little modern in Vientiane.  Old French colonial houses are being restored as offices and as restaurants and hotels. There are only a handful of recent buildings which sometimes seems extraordinarily out of place in this quiet capital.
Vientiane’s Wattay Airport is just to the west of the city. International services are quite limited, but there are fairly frequent flights from Bangkok and Hanoi. Most hotels offer a pickup service, or you can take a jumbo or taxi for US$6. (Rides to the airport should be cheaper.)
Visas are available on arrival at the airport, and the fee is US$30. Until recently these were only for 14 days, however, 30 day visas are now being issued on arrival. There is a US$10 departure tax for international flights.
From Bangkok and Singapore, many visitors choose to fly into Udon Thani in Thailand instead, and cross the border by bus, as this domestic flight is considerably cheaper than a direct international flight. There is a direct shuttle from the airport to the Thai border at Nong Khai, and there are also direct cross-border bus services from Udon Thani to Vientiane. This option takes about 1hr longer than a direct Bangkok to Vientiane flight.
Plans to connect Vientiane to the Thai railway network remain just plans, so for now the railhead remains at Nong Khai, on the Thai side of the Friendship Bridge.

The Friendship Bridge (Saphan Mittaphap) from Nong Khai, Thailand is the most common means of entry. The bridge cannot be crossed on foot, but there are frequent 20 baht shuttle buses just past Thai immigration. Bicycles can be carried on buses in the cargo compartment.
Direct buses to/from Nong Khai (30 baht) and Udon Thani (80 baht) arrive and depart from the Talat Sao bus terminal. These are cheap, comfortable, hassle-free and popular, so book ahead or arrive early.
Lao visas are available on arrival (until recently, only 15 day, but as of July 2006, this has increased to 30 days) and the official fee is US$30 (plus US$1 outside working hours and on weekends). The fee is considerably higher if paid with Thai baht (about US$9 more at current exchange rates), so bring clean US$ notes. A passport photo is also required, however an extra 40 baht or US$1 can usually be paid if you’re unable to provide one. A 10 baht “entry fee” is charged once through, though walking straight past this desk seems not to be difficult.

Once through immigration, you can take a jumbo (posted price 150 baht) or taxi (200 baht) to any destination in the city. Shared jumbos are cheaper and local buses to Talat Sao cheapest of all, but signage is nonexistent and you may be in for a wait. You should be able to negotiate to about 50 baht/person if you’re prepared to share (and possibly wait). It’s about 20km from the bridge to Vientiane; allow at least 30 minutes.
When arriving via the Friendship Bridge, you might like to visit the Buddha Park sculpture garden before going on to Vientiane, and save yourself a return trip back past the border crossing later. The same local bus that connects the Morning Market and the Friendship Bridge checkpoint also continues on to Buddha Park.
Going the opposite way, asking around the bus station for Friendship Bridge is effective. There are no immigration fees when exiting Laos via the Bridge, except at weekends when a token 2500 kip “overtime charge” applies.
Tickets from Vientiane to Udon Thani can only be bought from the Talat Sao bus station on the day itself for 22,000 kip.
A direct bus from Hanoi will take at least 20 hours (despite what the travel agents might say) and should cost about US$15-20.
Buses to all provinces in Laos depart from the Talat Sao bus terminal, just east of the Morning Market. There is an informative schedule and schematic diagram of the bus piers painted on the central building, which is where you can also buy in tickets.
The Southern Bus Terminal, used by all buses going south (including VIP), is quite far from town leaving you at the mercy of the taxi bullies. Note that if you buy a ticket in town you should be able to get a free ride to the terminal.

The major border crossing between Laos and Vietnam is Lao Bao connecting the Centre of Vietnam and Savannakhet Province of Laos. You will need a Laos visa and a re-entry Vietnamese visa if you go back to Vietnam. Tourist buses Savannakhet - Hue leave daily at 10pm, serving Dong Ha (US$7 per person, 329km), Hue (US$9 per person, 409km) or Danang (US$11 per person, 508km). Approaching in the other direction, buses at Hue depart at 6am or 6pm daily, cost US$15 per person and take thirteen hours. Check the Savannakhet or Hue travel agencies for best prices.Otherwise, catch local buses from Savannakhet (US$3 per person, 255km, 5 hours, leave at 7am and noon) or Sawngthaew (pick-up truck - US$3 per person, 210km, 4 hours, leave regularly) to Sepon, accommodate there and hit the morning bus to the border. Across the border on foot, next carry on 20-minute walking or take xe om (renting motorbike with driver - VND10,000 per person) to Lao Bao Bus station for departing Hue or Danang.

Dao Hai Phong was born in 1965, the son of the well known artist Dao Duc. He studied at the Hanoi College of Film and Theater from 1982 to 1987 and was awarded for his exceptional designs at the Vietnam Film Festival. His major medium is oil on canvas. Although he had painted as a hobby from the age of six, it was merely after his graduation day that Phong started to focus on developing his distinctive painting style.

Phong’s pulsating colors draw one’s eye to the key elements of his paintings and highlight their structural simplicity. Many of his paintings represent landscapes inspired by his travels as a film producer and are presented to us through the unique lens with which he observes the world.

Dao Hai Phong has exhibited widely in Vietnam and abroad. His work is collected by enthusiasts all over the world and is regarded as some of the finest among contemporary Vietnamese artists’.

Most everybody requires a Passport, with a validity exceeding 6 months after the date of entry, to enter Vietnam.
Day trippers from the bordering countries of Cambodia, China and Laos bearing Identity Cards may enter Vietnam for particular purposes such as cultivation or commerce.
Foreigners usually necessitate a valid visa to enter Vietnam; citizens of member countries of ASEAN that have agreements with Vietnam do not require a visa for entry for a period not exceeding 30 days.
Vietnam visa conditions generally mirror those imposed upon Vietnamese Nationals of the Travelers home country (tit-for-tat).
Citizens of Cambodia, China, Malaysia and Laos do not require having such visas.
Visas are required by all except:

(a) Nationals of Bulgaria, Cuba, Korea (Dem Rep) and Romania;
(b) Nationals of Malaysia and Thailand for 30 days;
(c) Nationals of the Philippines for 21 days;
(d) Transit passengers continuing their journey within 72 hours, provided holding valid revisit or onward tickets. At present visas can be issued for either groups or individuals.

For security, it is advisable to carry photocopies of documents rather than originals when traveling in Vietnam.

Visa Classes

Types of visa: Tourist: (single-entry), (express service), (multiple-entry). Single-entry Business: (1 month). Multiple-entry Business: (1 month); (3 months); (6 months or more).

Tourist visas are valid for 1 month from proposed date of entry. Visas can usually be extended for another month, at extra cost, in the larger towns.
Application requirements: (1) Completed application forms (Click). (2) One passport-size photo (see note). (3) Valid passport (see note). (4) Fee (non-refundable), payable by cash or check. (5) A stamped/prepaid self-addressed envelope or courier label.
Business requirements: (1)-(4), and (5) an approval obtained through a Vietnamese sponsor.
Note: Photocopies of passports are acceptable but require two passport sized photographs with application. The visa will be issued on a form.
Do NOT ask for ‘the cheapest visa’ - specify the number of days otherwise you will be given a 15-day visa that cannot be extended.
There are also residential visas for Foreigners married to Vietnamese nationals or working in Vietnam as well as Diplomatic and other special visas.

When applying for a visa ONLY submit:

- Passport

- Application form (completed);

- ONE photograph;

- Visa fee;

- Prepaid return envelope (courier or Post Office).

The motive you should send only ONE photograph is that the Vietnamese Embassy consular officials will attach your visa in to your Passport - making it impossible to remove.

The Vietnam week on MyamarMike has started and I decided to dedicate this week to the outstanding meditation teacher, excellent mind, the real Hinayana warrior - Thich Nhat Hanh. BTW - all the dharma dwellers are still warmly welcomed at MyanmarMike Forums!

Since his days in Vietnam , Thich Nhat Hanh has been a leading proponent of “engaged Buddhism,” a way of life and a spiritual practice that works actively in the world to relieve suffering. Nhat Hanh continues his work to alleviate the suffering of refugees, boat people, political prisoners and hungry families in Vietnam and other Third World countries. He has been instrumental in initiating the declaration, by the General Assembly of the United Nations, dedicating 2001-2010 as the “International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World” (Resolution A/RES/53/2519/111998). He collaborated with the Nobel Peace Laureates in drafting the “Manifesto 2000,” with six points on the Practice of Peace and Non-violence distributed by UNESCO. In December 2000, Thich Nhat Hanh was invited to give a lecture at the White House World Summit Conference on HIV and AIDS. He has also been invited to speak at The Gorbachev World Forum and the World Economic Summit in Davos , Switzerland .

Thich Nhat Hanh has received recognition for his prolific writings on meditation, mindfulness, and peace. He has published over 85 titles of accessible poems, prose, and prayers, with more than 40 of those works in English. His best-known books include Peace is Every Step , Being Peace , Touching Peace , Call Me by My True Names , Living Buddha, Living Christ , Teachings on Love , and Anger .

Now eighty years old, Thich Nhat Hanh is emerging as one of the great teachers of our time. In the midst of our society’s emphasis on speed, efficiency, and material success, Thich Nhat Hanh’s ability to walk calmly with peace and awareness and to teach us to do the same has led to his enthusiastic reception in the West. Although his mode of expression is simple, his message reveals the quintessence of the deep understanding of reality that comes from his meditations, his Buddhist training, and his work in the world.

Master’s Quotations.

• Drink your tea slowly and reverently,
  as if it is the axis
  on which the world earth revolves
  - slowly, evenly, without
  rushing toward the future;
  Live the actual moment.
  Only this moment is life.

• Relief, Peace, well-being, joy and better relations with others will be possible if we practice mindfulness in our everyday life. I am convinced that everybody can practice mindfulness, even politicians, political parties, even the Congress. This is a body that holds the responsibility for knowing the nation’s situation well, and knowledge of this kind requires the practice of looking deeply. If our elected officials are not calm enough, do not have enough concentration, how can they see things deeply?
  
• The Buddhist Sutra of Mindfulness speaks about the meditation on the corpse: meditate on the decomposition of the body, how the body bloats and turns violet, how it is eaten by worms until only bits of blood and flesh still cling to the bones, meditate up to the point where only white bones remain, which in turn are slowly worn away and turn into dust. Meditate like that, knowing that your own body will undergo the same process. Meditate on the corpse until you are calm and at peace, until your mind and heart are light and tranquil and a smile appears on your face. Thus, by overcoming revulsion and fear, life will be seen as infinitely precious, every second of it worth living.

http://www.deerparkmonastery.org/
http://www.katinkahesselink.net/tibet/Thich-Nhat-Hanh-meditation.html/

PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Dengue fever has killed 182 Cambodians so far this year and the calamity will prolong to exacerbate unless concerted society action is taken, the government and World Health Organization said on Saturday.

“This year is particularly severe and, if present trends continue, it will be the most serious to date,” the WHO and the Health Ministry said in a joint statement.

“Community-based larval control and elimination of mosquito breeding sites are currently the only sustainable methods of outbreak prevention and the only effective method of reducing the risk of infection,” the statement said.

Health officials had been running hard on anti-mosquito breeding campaigns in high risk areas since the outbreak, but the results were not very satisfying, Ngan Chantha, head of the country’s anti-dengue program, told Reuters.

What is dengue fever? What is dengue hemorrhagic fever?

Dengue fever is a flu-like illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a severe, often fatal, complication of dengue fever.

What is the infectious agent that causes dengue?

Dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever are caused by any of the dengue family of viruses. Infection with one virus does not protect a person against infection with another.

How is dengue spread?

Dengue is spread by the bite of an Aedes mosquito. The mosquito transmits the disease by biting an infected person and then biting someone else.

Where is dengue found?

Dengue viruses occur in most tropical areas of the world. Dengue is common in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Australia, and the Americas. It is widespread in the Caribbean basin. Dengue is most common in cities but can be found in rural areas. It is rarely found in mountainous areas above 4,000 feet.

The mosquitoes that transmit dengue live among humans and breed in discarded tires, flower pots, old oil drums, and water storage containers close to human dwellings. Unlike the mosquitoes that cause malaria, dengue mosquitoes bite during the day.

 What are the signs and symptoms of dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever?

Dengue fever usually starts suddenly with a high fever, rash, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, and muscle and joint pain. The severity of the joint pain has given dengue the name “breakbone fever.” Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite are common. A rash usually appears 3 to 4 days after the start of the fever. The illness can last up to 10 days, but complete recovery can take as long as a month. Older children and adults are usually sicker than young children.

Most dengue infections result in relatively mild illness, but some can progress to dengue hemorrhagic fever. With dengue hemorrhagic fever, the blood vessels start to leak and cause bleeding from the nose, mouth, and gums. Bruising can be a sign of bleeding inside the body. Without prompt treatment, the blood vessels can collapse, causing shock (dengue shock syndrome). Dengue hemorrhagic fever is fatal in about 5 percent of cases, mostly among children and young adults.

Dengue fever FAQ for all travellers:

How soon after exposure do symptoms appear?

The time between the bite of a mosquito carrying dengue virus and the start of symptoms averages 4 to 6 days, with a range of 3 to 14 days. An infected person cannot spread the infection to other persons but can be a source of dengue virus for mosquitoes for about 6 days.

How is dengue diagnosed?

Dengue is diagnosed by a blood test.

Who is at risk for dengue?

Anyone who is bitten by an infected mosquito can get dengue fever. Risk factors for dengue hemorrhagic fever include a person’s age and immune status, as well as the type of infecting virus. Persons who were previously infected with one or more types of dengue virus are thought to be at greater risk for developing dengue hemorrhagic fever if infected again.

What is the treatment for dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever?

There is no specific treatment for dengue. Persons with dengue fever should rest and drink plenty of fluids. They should be kept away from mosquitoes for the protection of others. Dengue hemorrhagic fever is treated by replacing lost fluids. Some patients need transfusions to control bleeding.

How common is dengue?

In tropical countries around the world, dengue is one of the most common viral diseases spread to humans by mosquitoes. Tens of millions of cases of dengue fever and up to hundreds of thousands of cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever occur each year.

In the United States, approximately 100 cases of dengue are reported each year in travelers returning from tropical areas. Many more cases probably go unreported. A few persons have become infected with dengue while living in the United States. Aedes mosquitoes are found in Texas, Florida, and other southern states, and locally acquired dengue has been reported three times since 1980 in southern Texas.

Is dengue an emerging infectious disease?

Yes. All types of dengue virus are re-emerging worldwide and causing larger and more frequent epidemics, especially in cities in the tropics. The emergence of dengue as a major public health problem has been most dramatic in the western hemisphere. Dengue fever has reached epidemic levels in Central America and is threatening the United States.

Several factors are contributing to the resurgence of dengue fever:

• No effective mosquito control efforts are underway in most countries with dengue.
• Public health systems to detect and control epidemics are deteriorating around the world.
• Rapid growth of cities in tropical countries has led to overcrowding, urban decay, and substandard sanitation, allowing more mosquitoes to live closer to more people.
• The increase in non-biodegradable plastic packaging and discarded tires is creating new breeding sites for mosquitoes.
• Increased jet air travel is helping people infected with dengue viruses to move easily from city to city.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is also on the rise. Persons who have been infected with one or more forms of dengue virus are at greater risk for the more severe disease. With the increase in all types of virus, the occurrence of dengue hemorrhagic fever becomes more likely.

How can dengue be prevented?

There is no vaccine to prevent dengue. Prevention centers on avoiding mosquito bites when traveling to areas where dengue occurs and when in U.S. areas, especially along the Texas-Mexico border, where dengue might occur. Eliminating mosquito breeding sites in these areas is another key prevention measure.

Avoid mosquito bites when traveling in tropical areas:

• Use mosquito repellents on skin and clothing.
• When outdoors during times that mosquitoes are biting, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into socks.
• Avoid heavily populated residential areas.
• When indoors, stay in air-conditioned or screened areas. Use bednets if sleeping areas are not screened or air-conditioned.
• If you have symptoms of dengue, report your travel history to your doctor.

Eliminate mosquito breeding sites in areas where dengue might occur:

• Eliminate mosquito breeding sites around homes. Discard items that can collect rain or run-off water, especially old tires.
• Regularly change the water in outdoor bird baths and pet and animal water containers.

As a result of various conflicts over the last thirty years or so, Cambodia is one of the most heavily landmine and UXO contaminated countries in the world. The Landmine Impact Survey completed in April 2002 revealed that the number of areas contaminated by mines and UXO is about 30% higher than estimated in the United Nations Transitional Authority period. All 24 provinces have areas contaminated by mines and UXO, and 13 areas are also affected by cluster munitions. A total of 6,422 villages, or 46% of Cambodian villages, have mine/UXO-affected areas. The total suspected contaminated area is 4,466 million square meters, or 2.5% of the total surface of the country.The threat of UXO and mines impedes mobility, security, economic activity, and development in several provinces, particularly in the north and northwest of the country. In the forests of Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Oddar Meanchey, and Pailin, the most affected provinces, people still have their limbs blown off as they search for a way to feed their families. Mine and UXO contamination restricts access to home, agricultural land, pasture land, water sources, forests, schools, dams, canals markets, business activities, health centers, pagodas, bridges, and neighboring villages. UXO incidents account for about 50% of total casualties.

By the end of 2001, close to 170 million square meters had been cleared, and around 1 million people of the rural population benefited from gaining access to safe land and essential infrastructure. Since 1993, over 1.7 million people participated in mine awareness programs in Cambodia. With over 80% of the country’s population residing in rural areas, and 40% of these estimated to be living below the poverty line, mine action programs continue to be of the highest priority in the achievement of Cambodia’s overriding policy of poverty reduction.

Marking of mined areas is in progress, but it will take a long time to fence all areas. On 31 December 2001, the Cambodian Mine Action Center was reported to have marked a total of 619 mined locations, representing 126.26 million square meters In March 2002, 92% of the 98 casualties reported had the incident in non-marked places.

Cambodia has one of the highest ratios of amputees in the world.

In Cambodia, many people continue to die, lose limbs and their eyesight to anti-personnel mines. Despite this, it is harder to get funding for mine-risk education and assistance to mine victims. The Cambodian Red Cross is struggling to maintain its mine-risk education project. If we fail to find support, there is no doubt there will be more accidents, deaths and injuries and people will forget the problem.

The Contemporary Art of the Khmer in Thailand
The contemporary art of Khmer in Thailand was divided into two main periods as follows: 1. The contemporary art style before the Mahithonpula period.
2. The contemporary art style of the Mahithonpula period.

The main reason for using the Mahithonpula reign period to divide the contemporary of Khmer arts in Thailand is that the Mahithonpula dynasty began and occupied Thail territory from the first half of 11th century. There were many sovereign Khmer kings in this period, starting from Jajavarman VI (1080–1107 A.D.) Suriyavarman
II (1107 A.D.–after 1145 A.D.). King Jayavarman VII (1181–1218 A.D.) was the most powerful king who administrated Cambodia and the other nearby countries. Mahithonpul dynasty’s kings created and rebuilt the three huge importance ancient architectures in Thailand. They were Prasat Hin Phimai, Prasat Phnomwan; Nakornrajasrima and including Prasat Phnomrung; Burirum. etc.

From its identity and important art character mentioned above, it deserved to use the Mahithonpula reign period to define the art styles and ages to differentiate the development period of the real contemporary Khmer arts in Thailand There were many sovereign Khmer kings in this period, starting from Jajavarman VI (1080–1107 A.D.) Suriyavarman II (1107 A.D.–after 1145 A.D.). King Jayavarman VII (1181–1218 A.D.) was the most powerful king who administrated Cambodia and the other nearby countries.
Mahithonpula dynasty’s kings created and rebuilt the three huge importance ancient architectures in Thailand. They were Prasat Hin Phimai, Prasat Phnomwan;
Nakornrajasrima and including Prasat Phnomrung; Burirum. etc.
From its identity and important art character mentioned above, it deserved to use the Mahithonpula reign period to define the art styles and ages to differentiate the
development period of the real contemporary Khmer arts in Thailand.