Susan Haythorpe is a British writer, shopper, and music lover who moved to Phnom Penh in 2013.
She is the author of Lost Generation: The Story of Cambodian Rock and Roll, which documents Phnom Penh’s vibrant music scene in the 1950s through 1970s, when the music scene abruptly ended with the rise of the Khmer Rouge.
“Jum riab sua. Knom chmuah Susan.” Likely the first words you’ll be taught (minus the ‘Susan’ unless that happens to be your name too) when you embark on the sometimes frustrating but ultimately rewarding journey to learning Khmer. It’s fair … Continue reading
For those of us who love a spot of retail therapy there’s only one thing better than a shopping trip — and that’s the opportunity to shop sustainably in the knowledge you’re supporting some of the most eco-friendly brands in … Continue reading
Need a caffeine boost? You can’t go wrong in Phnom Penh. Coffee culture is thriving in Phnom Penh, from the bright pink coffee tuk tuks to international chains, not to mention countless cool independent coffee shops that rival those found … Continue reading
For many people Cambodia’s history is synonymous with Angkor Wat and the Khmer Rouge, but the Kingdom of Wonder has another, upbeat story to tell (albeit with a tragic ending). The era known as Cambodia’s Golden Age of Music is … Continue reading
So you’ve moved to Cambodia, you want to meet other women and make some friends, and maybe find a way of giving something back to your new home. Perhaps you’re starting up a business and hope to learn from the … Continue reading
There’s live music every night of the week in the capital when you know where to look (and most of it’s still free) Phnom Penh’s music scene has experienced quite a shake up since I last wrote on the subject. … Continue reading
The capital’s contemporary art scene is on a roll — and it’s a far cry from apsaras and sunrise over Angkor Wat As the city’s cultural venues burst into post-pandemic life, a spate of new gallery openings and a burgeoning … Continue reading
After a year or so in the doldrums Phnom Penh bars are back in business, and nowhere more so than in the laneways around Street 308 between Norodom and Sothearos Boulevards not far from the Independence Monument. Not only has … Continue reading