Phnom Penh Police reports for November

NOVEMBER 1: Police arrested one of five gangsters, Hean Samnang, 24, who killed Chim Rom, 18, at 1:30pm in Boeng village, Kampong Thom province. Police said Rom was beaten with a stick and he later died at a hospital. Police said the argument happened after Rom stared at the men while they were driving fast on two motorbikes and dirt flew over him.

NOVEMBER 2: Chin Sopheap, 39, was sent to a hospital for medical treatment after she was axed in the head while arguing with a drunken man Prum Pheav, 54, at 12:30pm in Boeng Thom village, Kampot province.

NOVEMBER 2: Three students were drowned after a wooden boat sank in a river at 6:30am in Koh Praloung village, Kampong Cham province. Police gave the names of the two girls and one boy as Hurt Sreymao, 17, Dou Maly, 10, Pheap Phirom, 18. Police said the boat overturned after another boat drew up fast and made a large wave causing 40 passengers to move to one side.

NOVEMBER 2: Choun Phong, 28, was found naked and dead in the morning at a cottage in her rice field in Por Thmey village, Prey Veng province. Police said someone killed the woman with a knife after raping her.

NOVEMBER 3: Kin Sokhoeun, 18, and Kim Rom, 17, were arrested for a nighttime robbery in Bale Lay village, Kampong Thom province. Police said the two attempted to rob Ly Chhunseng, 34, who then beat them nearly to death. Chhunseng said the pair hid in his house and tried to hit him with a steel bar, but they lost control after his younger brother came to help him during the fight.

NOVEMBER 4: Chhoeun Hon, 38, was fatally gunned down after she and her husband tried to resist two people during a nighttime robbery in Boeng Beng commune, Banteay Meanchey province. Kong Vanny, 41, told police that his wife was shot five times with a rifle after running out and shouting for help. Police are searching for one of the two robbers who escaped as Vanny stabbed him in the stomach with a knife during the fight.

NOVEMBER 4: Mon Meth, 20, was arrested for questioning after a married woman, Ngoun Vanny, 18, accused him of raping her in Toul Krasaing village, Kandal province. Vanny said in a complaint that Meth persuaded her to go to a guesthouse in Phnom Penh where he raped her. Meth denied the rape and told police Vanny agreed to have sex with him because they had been in love since she was single.

NOVEMBER 5: Mao Sochea, 18, was found dead in a cashew field after she went missing four days earlier in Preah Thiet village, Kampong Cham province. Police suspected rape was the reason for the motivation of the killing because Sochea had been injured many times on her body.

NOVEMBER 6: Ouk Prem, 32, was arrested after he raped a 28-year-old woman four days earlier in Krachap village, Pailin. The woman who was married with two children said in a complaint that Prem had raped her twice on the same day. The woman said Prem raped her once while she was cutting bamboo in a forest in an afternoon and he later raped her again at her home. Prem confessed to the rape.

NOVEMBER 7: Hun Hong, 21, was stabbed in the chest with a spear while arguing with his cousin at around 7pm in Prek Phnov commune, Kandal province. Hong was sent to a hospital in Ponhea Leu district by his family but he later transferred to Calmette Hospital for removing of the spear.

NOVEMBER 8: Thoeun Thea, 24, was sentenced to 15 years in Prey Sor prison after municipal court charged him with a murder in Prey Tear village, on the outskirts of Phnom Penh. Presiding judge Ke Sakhan said at the hearing Thea was arrested on April 11 after injuring a girlfriend, Ouk Chanda, who later died at a hospital. Thea told the court the argument occurred after Chanda wanted him to divorce his wife but he denied her advance. Thea was ordered to pay 4 million riel to the victim's family.

NOVEMBER 9: Khun Song, 36, was arrested for questioning after a mysterious explosion at a rental house a week earlier in O'Bekhaam village, Phnom Penh. Police said one person was killed during the explosion and destroyed three apartments. Song who rented the house two weeks ago fled immediately with his wife and one daughter. Police found two canisters, one containing cooking gas and a second containing gasoline at the scene and they believed to have fueled the blast.

NOVEMBER 9: The body of a motorbike taxi driver, Chek Sokha, 20, was found in a corn yard after he went missing two days earlier in Kam Reang commune, Battambang province. Police said Sokha had tied his arms with a rope, his neck had been strangled and his mouth closed with a sticky tape. Police suspect robbery was the reason as his bike was stolen.

NOVEMBER 10: Pel Phirith, 35, a secondary school teacher, was shot dead while sitting and talking with a girlfriend, Van Sokheng, 17, at midnight in Sre Pring village, Kampong Chhnang province. Sokheng, who survived herself from a hostage, told police two unknown men shot Phirith in the forehead with a K-59 handgun then brought her away on a motorbike. Police suspect jealous revenge was the reason of the killing because many people had tried to make love with Sokheng but she refused these advances.

NOVEMBER 10: Police came to inspect the body of a married couple Chhean Sriav, 30, and Choun Theavy, 28, who were shot dead while asleep in Kampong Kong village, Kandal province. Police said Sriav had been shot once in the chest and his wife had been shot twice in the back and the stomach with an AK-47. Police suspected revenge attack was the reason for the killing. The murder left two children as orphans.

NOVEMBER 11: Police are looking for one of five gangsters identified as Prounh who escaped after injuring Ken Samphoas, 22, during an argument while playing valley ball in Tbong Khmum district, Kampong Cham province.

Water Festival Tragedy

The Associated Press Sunday, November 25, 2007; 4:13 AM

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia -- The bodies of five Singaporean men who went missing when their boat capsized after a holiday race were pulled out of a Cambodian river Sunday, officials said. A sixth body, that of a Cambodian rower, was also found. The Singaporeans' bodies were spotted floating downstream from the accident site in the Tonle Sap river in the capital, Phnom Penh, said police officer Mom Sitha, a member of the 150-strong search party. "The bodies of the five missing have all been discovered," Mom Sitha said.

Grieving relatives gathered Sunday at Phnom Penh's Calmette Hospital, where the bodies were being brought for autopsy.

Mom Sitha said the bodies were located at four different sites, from less than a mile to 2.5 miles south of where the five disappeared after their dragon boat capsized Friday. There had been 22 Singaporeans on the boat, which had just completed the 1,640-yard course in the traditional Cambodian boat race festival.

The Cambodian rower drowned after his boat capsized Friday, said Nhim Vanda, vice president of the National Committee for Disaster Management. He did not elaborate.

Although there were no deaths last year, there have been a handful of fatalities previously associated with the race, which attracts a huge crowd of onlookers. Chea Koeun, a deputy director of the national committee that organizes the festival, said this year's number of deaths was the highest ever and included foreigners for the first time. The accident occurred as the Singaporeans decided to continue rowing from the finish line to shore, according to Cambodian officials.

Nhim Vanda said the festival organizers had offered to tow to shore all the boats of foreign competitors after they completed the race. But he said the Singaporeans declined the offer, saying there was "no need because we still had the strength to row."
When their boat approached a pontoon serving as a pier, it hit swirling water and overturned, Nhim Vanda said. Police boats were able to rescue only 17 of them at the scene.

Singapore's navy sent a team of eight to assist Cambodian authorities in the search.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen sent a message to his Singaporean counterpart, Lee Hsien Loong, "conveying his shock and sadness" over the accident, Singapore's Foreign Ministry said Saturday.

The Singaporeans were among eight teams from neighboring Southeast Asian countries that participated in the annual event. The accident occurred on the first of three days of racing.
Some 440 colorful dragon boats, mainly from across Cambodia, were racing to celebrate Cambodia's annual water festival, which marks the start of the rice harvesting season and the time of the year when the Tonle Sap river reverses its flow from north to south.

Water Festival 2007

Water festival has been and gone and what a great time it was. Most expats base here in Phnom Penh did a runner for Sihanoukeville citing horrendous crowds, traffic gridlock and public urination the likes of which has not been seen before. I decided to stay in Phnom Penh and just hang at home but each afternoon I was compelled to go up to the riverfront and all in all I had a ball.
Thursday – Leakhena and I took the scooter across the Japanese Bridge to check out all the boats (some 450 came to town!) and assembled crews who have come in from the provinces for a 3 day sports festival. Hammocks were being strung up and food stalsl were busy feeding the masses. As we headed back across the bridge to Phnom Penh the flow of vans and trucks stuffed with farmers and their chickens and al manner of luggage was just insane .

Friday – Took it easy all day due to a very sore lower back. Watched a couple of DVDs and then joined my old work colleague Chris on the riverfront to watch the world ( and a million people ) go by. Hit a few bars afterwards and ended up at Heart of Darkness. The place is EVIL I tell you.

Saturday – Hung-over as hell but nothing a few mid arvo Bloody Marys wouldn’t cure. Then of to Bruno and Fuzzy’s rooftop for a bbq and the best view in town. We watched as the amazingly lit boats cruised past, the fireworks exploded and the crowd got so jammed below our building it was scary. Earlier on ion the day we also watched rescue divers try to locate the bodies of 5 Singaporeans who drowned when their boat capsized. Although it happened right near the river bank, they must have been exhausted from racing because they never surfaced.

Sunday- Went over to Leakhena’s family apartment to say hi to her family and hand out some money so they could all go and enjoy the festival’s last day. Took Srey Nek and Srey Pek swimming at Paul’s house which they love and had an early-ish night with my fiancée in front of telly.

Pov's Wedding

Yesterday saw me head out to Kampong Cham yet again to Pov’s village – this time for her wedding to James, an Aussie chap who is now based in Ulan Bator, Mongolia. James works with a mining company and is originally from Townsville and he is about as Aussie as they come. Red headed and with a broad accent, when he wasn’t in his wedding livery, he was getting around in thongs, King Gee work pants and a chesty bonds wife-beater. Classic stuff.

Leakhena had gone the day before and so I hired a bike from Adventure Moto. Brady VERY KINDLY let me rent his own personal XR650 and it is one sweet bike. Totally pimped with a 25ltr ACERBIS fuel tank and a power pipe that sounds like a muscle car when you start it, I had the time of my life riding out there and back. Trance music blaring and with no pillion passenger to worry about, I enjoyed the sunshine and coolish weather and it wasn’t long before I was lost -Yes…lost. Not to worry, you are never far from help in provincial Cambodia and a quick phone call to Leakhena with a farmer assisting with directions at my end and 15 minutes later my “beyonce”( as they call them over here ) and her friend Phanna came to get me on the Airblade. I followed them back to Pov’s village and at on point I decided to overtake them on a straight away. Once I had past them I looked back and saw them pulling over and so I did a u-turn and went back. Not a pretty sight. When I overtook them I went over a cow patty and the rear wheel of my bike through out a rooster tail of cow shit that covered the front of Leakhena’s scooter and Phanna in flecks of olive gunk. Lekahena escaped the brunt of it as she was riding pillion but Phanna…oh…poor Phanna. Still……she could see the humour in it and after washing herself and smacking me in the head, we were on our merry way.

On arrival at Pov’s house, the usual mind splittingly loud music was playing and I was greeted by many familiar faces who all remembered me from my previous visit. Perhaps the happiest face I saw was the little boy who had the terrible cist on is face. I had left some ointment and directions for care when I left last time and here he was looking like a million dollars with no facial marks or scarring. I gave him a big hug and he followed me around all day. I had a quick shower and then went upstairs to see the photos being taken. Poor old James was sweating it out in full Khmer silk wedding regalia under bright lights and Pov’s 5 inches of foundation was having trouble staying on her face. We sat down to some lunch and a couple of cold beers and shortly after lunch everybody basically passed out as they had all been awake since 3.30a.m. This left me sitting alone with a few kids and a few old cronies and the heat was a little too much out in the village. The real party was not starting until 4pm or so and as I refuse to ride in the dark and had to work the next day, I was soon on my way back to Phnom Penh with Leakhena not far behind me on her scooter.

Paul's Pimped out Pad

Paul is one of my better mates here in Phnom Penh. DJ by night, overpaid Finance Manager with a law firm by day, Paul has just taken a short term lease on a $1200 / month villa. With his lovely girlfiend Ang and their cat arriving shortly, we are all now begging Paul to keep the villa longer term. Why ? IT HAS A POOL !!!!!

More photos to follow............

Jungle Baby turns 1/3

Aliya the Jungle Bar Baby has just turned 4 months old so last night her proud parents Jeff and Vattey had a party with a few friends and family. Possibly the most gorgeous baby in all of Phnom Penh, Aliya has lovely little cheeks which love a good pinching and last night she ws the belle of the ball....

French woman killed during daylight robbery - WARNING !

This post is not meant to scare but rather serve as a gentle reminder to all those of you coming for the wedding that PP is still a risky destination. Don't underestimate this city. It can be a beast.......

November 14 2007 at 03:45PM

Phnom Penh - A French woman was killed Wednesday when she was struck by a mini-bus after being pulled off a motorcycle taxi by purse-snatchers in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, police said.

Aurelia LaCroix, 23, died instantly following the noon-time robbery, which occurred when at least two young men on a motorcycle pulled up alongside her and grabbed her purse, said Ben Khun, deputy Phnom Penh traffic police chief.

"The victim fell off the motorcycle taxi and the mini-bus ran her over," he told AFP.

The robbers escaped, he said, while both the bus and taxi drivers fled the scene, he added.

While robberies have decreased overall in Cambodia, purse and chain-snatching are on the rise and are particularly problematic around major holidays, affecting Cambodians and foreigners alike.

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My advice ; NO PURSE AT ALL !!

The two young Australian sisters who live below me with their parents were BOTH pulled of the same scooter by handbag strap in broad daylight near Toel Sleng about 2 months ago. They were thrown into a tin fence and it ripped BOTH their arms open to the tendons. They were medivac'd to Bangkok after emergency surgery at Calmette and have spent 6 weeks there being repaired after major damage. They now both sport huge scars and are in physio for the next year.

My fiancée NEVER rides with her bag over her shoulder and this is one endearing trait of our scooter - it has the best stowage space on the market.

I am still amazed at all the National Geographic wannabes who stroll around Phnom Penh with bandanas on their heads and $2000 NIKON Cameras flung over their shoulder Foreign Correspondent style. I could have a collection now if I wanted and more than once i have stopped to recommend they be careful. "Oh...we know what we are doing'' is the usual response....

Minimise the risk wherever possible and understand that although PP is relatively safe, it is till a poor country and if you provide an opportunity, some will take it. Crime here is random, quick and can be deadly and nobody will render assistance, as was the case for this poor French girl who was a legal intern here.I feel terrible for her as I do for the young Aussie girls .

Hun Sen to stop hot rodding

Friday, November 09, 2007
Koh Santepheap newspaper
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

Phnom Penh – Samdach Akkak Moha Sena Bat Dey Dek Cho Hun Sen, the prime minister of the kingdom of Cambodia, issued a renewed warning to the Phnom Penh city governor (Kep Chultema) saying that if he cannot rein in the kids who race motorcycles and cars (in the city street), he shouldn’t be a governor anymore.

Hun Sen took a measure by ordering police chiefs, military police chiefs to work diligently not just in Phnom Penh but also in all provinces and municipalities. Hun Sen pointed out that: “The other day, the son of a general … who had a very nice car, and he used it for racing (in the city streets). During the race, sometimes problems occur, and it ended up as problems for the parents, this is because these parents love their children too much. You should love your children, but you shouldn’t give them free rein like this. Now, you (police) should strengthen the order, and you should work to win over this, I don’t believe that you cannot win over this. If some parents are arrogant, report them to me. In the past, you hid them from me, and you do not dare report them to me.”

Hun Sen severely stressed: “I will fire (the parents) for you to see. In the past, you do not want to report them to me, you are scared, so how can I control all the issues that happen. You hid them, I also have a device to listen to (police communication) radio, and I know about the sons of this personality or that personality, you(?) close your eyes sometimes, the police officers said that one youngster went to this street, and tell their colleagues to look for another youngster at that street… this youngster is the son that personality … let him go… Therefore, the parents shouldn’t give too much free rein to their children. I am calling on parents and tutors, what I am saying is not to make the parents look bad, or the children look bad, but I want everybody to good, both the parents and the children. If the child were to be dead, injured, incapacitated, who would suffer? It’s the parents, therefore, we should know how to love our children.”

Hun Sen sternly warned: “Mr. city Governor (Kep Chuktema) pay attention, you shouldn’t just take measures for a short period of time only when the prime minister yell out. This is what I usually see happens, when the prime minister yell, you would take measures … and when the prime minister stops yelling, you stop doing it, you should take measures like the rain constantly pouring down. In some instances, the police officers would remove the front wheel out (the arrested motorcycles), because they (youngsters) are riding only with one wheel, but when the parents arrive, they order the cops to install the front tire back, and order the police officers to apologize to the youngsters on top of that. But you (police officers) do not dare report these cases to me, if you were to report them to me, I will fire the parents immediately, if Hun Sen cannot do that, I will resign.”

Word to the wise ; When the big boy "sternly warns" or "severley stresses".......you better listen !

Soiree Central

Jesus H Christ.

Phnom Penh must be the world's most social city. Having been here almost a year now, I have a good crowd of friends and colleagues and the invitations just rolllllllllllllllll on in.

This week alone;

Monday Night; Drinks at Lotus, Cafe Ay, Jungle Bar and Simply Blue. This was to catch up with Darren and Heng and meet Darren's brother who is out from the UK.

Tuesday night ; Aryan and Tee's mutliple birthday party for their three gorgeous daughters at Miles' bar. Little khmer children dressed up like princesses, 3 story high cakes,delicious curry and cold beer.

Wenesday night ; Off.

Thursday night; Jungle Bar for Jeff and Vattey's daughter's, Aliyah, 1st birthday

Friday Night ; Sugar Shack for Guy's ( former owner ) farewell and John and Sar's ( new owners ) welcome.

Sat Night ; Not sure yet

Sunday ; Out to the provinces for Srey Pov's wedding * groan*

Then we have Water Festival next week when Phnom Penh goes nuts for 5 days....................

When it rains....it pours.......................

Bruno's 30th Birthday Party

Cambodia attracts people for a variety of reasons and like it or not, there is kind of a class structure in Phnom Penh. In no particular order, categories include NGO workers, English teachers, Entrepreneurs, Hospitality workers, Private Sector professionals, retirees, drug runners, Walter Mittys and all manner of general flotsam and jetsam. Some people (like me) enjoy moving in most circles and enjoying the panoply of characters that Cambodia offers but I have also noticed that many expats stick to their own little groups.

In the last few weeks I have met a completely new crowd of people in Phnom Penh. Some as a result of working at ISPP, but others as a result of hardcore social networking at functions (ABAC Sundowner drinks, Melbourne Cup Day, Akubra Club etc) and also through simply relaxing at the clubhouse (a.k.a Pavilion). I have met a lot of people whose names I have heard mentioned in passing and the expat puzzle pieces are now falling into place. Phnom Penh is a very small place and with a lot of us moving in concentric social circles, everyone seems happy to help everyone else out socially and professionally. If you have ever lived as an expat, you are aware of what I call the “Tidal Effect”. People come, people go, your crew is ever changing and evolving and it is always a pisser to have to say goodbye to people you have formed relationships with but then there are always new arrivals to balance things out.

So it was at the kind invitation of a new friend, Will, that Leakhena and I found ourselves at “Bruno’s 30th”. Leakhena actually knew Bruno and Will from previously having helped them find office space, I met Will at Pavilion, we clicked and then met again on the business front, Will’s partner Lara works at ISPP and on it goes!. Bruno has a kickarse apartment on top of a 5 story building overlooking the Tonle Sap and apart from various problems with vicious, glue-sniffing monkies that invade the terrace, the pad is pretty sweet. With a rock and roll theme, I arrived with ACDC t-shirt and Bon Scott flat cap and Leakhena went to the salon and arrived looking like a Khmer Diana Ross with amazing bobbed hair and swirly 60s dress to boot.

The guys had done a fantastic job of setting up the party. Smoke machines, lazer lights, live band, huge projector screen in the lounge room playing skiing movies, plenty of great food and great dance music in between live jazz sets. Add a really nice, happy crowd of people and the night was just a pearler. I met a couple of girls from East Sydney who knew a lot of people I knew (one was Andrew Grace’s cousin and another knew the Pratten sisters etc) and also met a whole new bunch of nice people who I will no doubt see again. Leakhena and I tripped the light fantastic together and although she was initially very shy to be at the front of the crowd, she was soon having a ball.

All in all the best night I have had since coming to Cambodia and Bruno, Will and Fuzzy and all their partners and assorted helpers are to be commended for their efforts. 10/10.

ps.sorry about the crappy photos - taken with the phone !

The Phnom Penh Police reports for October

OCTOBER 19: Police arrested Lim Chanrouthana, 15, for questioning after he was accused of raping a 4-year-old girl in Sophy village, Banteay Meanchey province. The girl told police Chanrouthana had raped her twice when her parents were not at home. The girl said he gave her a small cake for every rape. Chanrouthana later confessed and recognized the rape.

OCTOBER 19: The bloody body of Bun Channary, 24, was found at 7pm in Psar Doeum Thkao commune, Phnom Penh. Police said Channary had been stabbed three times in the chest and once in the neck with a knife as she was returning from a communal office where she had just filed for a divorce. Police suspected the husband killed her because he disappeared from a rental house after the murder.

OCTOBER 20: Police are looking for the people responsible for the death of Nov Chiav, 38, who was raped and murdered the previous night in Pich Chanda commune, Battambang province. Police said Chiav's body was found naked dead and she had been chopped four times in the head and face with a heavy knife.

OCTOBER 24: Ung Vanna, the son of general Ung Samkhan, who is the commander of the military navigation unit, was arrested for attempted murder and later released after his father intervened. Police said the son of the general and two arrested accomplices threatened Soy Sopheap, a commentator on CTN, while he was talking with journalists at around 9:15pm in the park across from the old national assembly. Sopheap said Vanna was angry with him because he had recently criticized young people who had been flying their motorbikes and racing their cars.

OCTOBER 26: A British national, Simon Dutton, 42, was found dead at 9pm at a closed rental house in Wat Phnom commune, Phnom Penh. Police said Simon died from an overdose, noting that 11 strips of Valium were found on his bed. Police said Simon committed suicide because he had argued with his Cambodian wife, Oeu Leakhena, 21, who said Simon recently attempted suicide once but survived.

OCTOBER 29: A crowd of bees killed one person and injured five other people while they were working in O'Sngout village, Battambang province. Ly Bouy, police inspector of Samlot district, said the bees flew down and attacked the people after children threw rocks at a beehive in a nearby tree.

Melbourne Cup Day at Raffles Hotel

Melbourne Cup Day was celebrated with style and aplomb at Raffles Hotel on Tuesday 7th November. With the race starting at 11a.m Phnom Penh time, the complimentary champagne cocktails were being quaffed at 9a.m and by 10a.m, many punters had moved onto the main cocktail list, spurned on by a ½ price deal organised by The Australian Business Advisory Council. Women arrived in fabulous dresses and hats and the Australian Women’s Connection had jockey style silks made for the Le Royal staff so all in all it was a very carnival like atmosphere.

With a bookmaker running a tote ( an ANZ banker no less ! ) and many variously priced sweepstakes, there was no excuse for not having a bet and when the horses jumped at 11a.m, the crowd surged forward in expectation of a big win. As usual, there was a lot of nail biting and silence until the gallopers hit the final corner and the crowd erupted with glee “Come on you good thing!!” as the horses came down the straight. In the end there were quite a few winners on the day- and not just those that backed Efficient. One lucky lass won the door prize which was a night for two in a suite at Raffles valued at $1000 and there was also a prize for best dressed lady. This one was a bit of a one horse show (pardon the pun). Whilst there were many lovely looking ladies, when you show up dressed as a jockey with whip and all, you can’t really be beaten!

After the race it was out into the garden for a fantastic bbq. Australian beef, chicken and pork all prepared by one of Raffles’ finest chefs along with salads and desserts. Tables were lined with white linen and it was a gloriously sunny Phnom Penh day-albeit a little hot. New friends were made, daiquiris were quaffed well into the afternoon and all in all it was a fine way to spend Melbourne Cup day as an expat in Cambodia.

Drinks at the Australian Embassy’s Akubra Club

First Friday of every month, the Australian Embassy opens up the gates to all Aussies and their friends and partners for what is colloquially known as The Akubra Club. Held in the courtyard of the embassy, there is a fully stocked bar with VB, Fosters and Australian wines and the music played by the two Aussie chaps is distinctly Aussie. One of the chaps playing was actually the Defense Attaché and is a Tank Commander in real life ! I bumped into several friends there and we had a great time. Leakhena joined me a little later on and as the beers flowed, so to did the conversation. All in all a great night out !

Review;Lotus Restaurant

Lotus Restaurant is located on the very quiet Street #322, just off Norodom. The first thing that grabs your eyes as you approach this lovely looking villa is the very ornate and welcoming wooden gates. With a low front fence, it is not hard to see the tropical, stylish oasis that awaits you once you have been greeted by the smiling staff in their matching silk dresses. Understated tables and low cane chairs dot the lower courtyard amongst the frangipani trees and there are several lush “dining” beds with comfy cushions and plenty of space for 4 people to relax and enjoy the ambience.

A wooden bar opens out onto the garden and there is also a bar inside that serves an area equipped with low and inviting mini-couches with glass coffee tables. Hanging silks, intricate carved wooden eves and a large Buddha all serve to enhance the Indochinese feel that Lotus easily achieves. A solid and eye-catching winding wooden staircase takes you upstairs where there is a large restaurant space that would lend itself ideally to large private functions and there are also 3 smaller, fantastically decorated private rooms. These would be great for an intimate gathering of friends.

The food at Lotus is incredible. With a set menu that is distinctly Vietnamese ($18 per couple), you will revel in a feast that includes the ubiquitous Pho Soup, fresh Vietnamese spring rolls, steamed squid in Vietnamese pepper and other tasty morsels. Our group of 4 could not fault it and if you don’t want to partake in the set menu you can just order whatever suits your fancy. The service is attentive without being annoyingly enthusiastic and one young couple arrived with a toddler in a stroller to find they had a few instant babysitters in the young waitresses. The little chap was well looked after.

Next time you want to have a dinner party – why not have it at Lotus? Cocktails are two for one ($1.80 each!) during Happy Hour which is every day 5p.m-8p.m and the mojitos, cosmopolitans and marguerites are well mixed and strong. The food is great, the location is quiet and there is plenty of secure parking outside. Lotus really is a great restaurant and should be visited at least once…………………a week!