Cambodia rising

I took a quiet morning walk through Phnom Penh, but with barricades and riot police everywhere, the stillness was ominous. 

In the news: "The ban on demonstrations will also be put to the test on Sunday, when leaders of nine unions are planning to gather 10,000 supporters in Freedom Park to demand the release of the 23 detainees and push for the doubling of the minimum wage for garment workers to U.S. $160 per month." 

In so many casual conversations, I was surprised at how people were willing to talk about politics. Many said they got their information online. "We're not stupid anymore," they would say.

By afternoon, the police were smoking, playing cards and napping. We could all sigh in temporary relief. I tend to think these are signs of an emerging democracy, but my Thai friend corrects me, "How could you really know?"