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.
Looking out your window it’s easy to overlook the fact that a trove of heritage buildings lurk beneath the mushrooming high rises. Phnom Penh’s streetscapes can be a voyage of architectural discovery, and Khmer Architecture Tours, a local non-profit organization, … Continue reading
In these socially-distanced days you might expect that an update on any bar and restaurant scene would involve a depressing catalog of closures. Happily for business owners, staff, and patrons alike that’s not the case in Phnom Penh. There’s no … Continue reading
“Life not normal is the norm” a Khmer Times editorial read, explaining the importance of adjusting to virus safety precautions in the early days of COVID-19. It’s fair to say, however, that a few months on (and notwithstanding that old … Continue reading
Leng Pleng — khmer for ‘play music’ — the go-to guide to live music in the Kingdom, is celebrating 10 years online. It says a lot for the local music scene that in a decade of keeping expat and Cambodian … Continue reading
When friends from home visit and we remember that not everyone is quite so enamored with the sustained bustle of Phnom Penh life quite as much as we do, we like to plan a few days of respite outside of … Continue reading
Time was, when you wanted to equip your expat apartment in Phnom Penh without household essentials, your choices were severely limited. Local markets are still the obvious go-to for everyday Cambodian homewares. If it’s cheap and cheerful bowls and glasses, … Continue reading