Living Among The Dead in Cambodia

Published June 30th, 2019 - 06:46 GMT

Graveyards may traditionally be the eternal resting place for the dead, but one cemetery in Phnom Penh is increasingly becoming a place to stay for the living as land disputes plague the nation’s poor. 

Thousands of Cambodia's most destitute have taken up residence in the capital's cemeteries, turning them into makeshift villages that are breeding grounds for disease and abuse.

Cambodia has witnessed rapid economic progress since it emerged from decades of civil war and the ultra-Maoist Khmer Rouge regime, which abolished private property.

They say the cemetery is the best option for them. Views across the river on Diamond Island show a vision of upmarket living with names such as Elite Town.

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This picture shows a girl lying on a grave in Phnom Penh. TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP

This picture shows children playing on a grave as a woman dries her clothes on another grave in Phnom Penh. TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP

Graveyards may traditionally be the eternal resting place for the dead, but one cemetery in Phnom Penh is increasingly becoming a place to stay for the living as land disputes plague the nation’s poor. TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP

Graveyards may traditionally be the eternal resting place for the dead, but one cemetery in Phnom Penh is increasingly becoming a place to stay for the living as land disputes plague the nation’s poor. TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP

This picture shows a woman and her child preparing dinner next to graves outside their home in Phnom Penh. TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP

This picture shows a woman arranging clothes inside her home in front of a grave in Phnom Penh. TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP

Graveyards may traditionally be the eternal resting place for the dead, but one cemetery in Phnom Penh is increasingly becoming a place to stay for the living as land disputes plague the nation’s poor. TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP

Graveyards may traditionally be the eternal resting place for the dead, but one cemetery in Phnom Penh is increasingly becoming a place to stay for the living as land disputes plague the nation’s poor. TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP

This picture shows a woman walking past graves in Phnom Penh. TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP

This picture shows a girl lying on a grave in Phnom Penh.  TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP
This picture shows children playing on a grave as a woman dries her clothes on another grave in Phnom Penh.  TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP
Graveyards may traditionally be the eternal resting place for the dead, but one cemetery in Phnom Penh is increasingly becoming a place to stay for the living as land disputes plague the nation’s poor.  TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP
Graveyards may traditionally be the eternal resting place for the dead, but one cemetery in Phnom Penh is increasingly becoming a place to stay for the living as land disputes plague the nation’s poor.  TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP
This picture  shows a woman and her child preparing dinner next to graves outside their home in Phnom Penh.  TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP
This picture shows a woman arranging clothes inside her home in front of a grave in Phnom Penh.  TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP
 Graveyards may traditionally be the eternal resting place for the dead, but one cemetery in Phnom Penh is increasingly becoming a place to stay for the living as land disputes plague the nation’s poor.  TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP
Graveyards may traditionally be the eternal resting place for the dead, but one cemetery in Phnom Penh is increasingly becoming a place to stay for the living as land disputes plague the nation’s poor.  TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP
This picture  shows a woman walking past graves in Phnom Penh.  TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP
This picture shows a girl lying on a grave in Phnom Penh.  TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP
This picture shows a girl lying on a grave in Phnom Penh. TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP
This picture shows children playing on a grave as a woman dries her clothes on another grave in Phnom Penh.  TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP
This picture shows children playing on a grave as a woman dries her clothes on another grave in Phnom Penh. TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP
Graveyards may traditionally be the eternal resting place for the dead, but one cemetery in Phnom Penh is increasingly becoming a place to stay for the living as land disputes plague the nation’s poor.  TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP
Graveyards may traditionally be the eternal resting place for the dead, but one cemetery in Phnom Penh is increasingly becoming a place to stay for the living as land disputes plague the nation’s poor. TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP
Graveyards may traditionally be the eternal resting place for the dead, but one cemetery in Phnom Penh is increasingly becoming a place to stay for the living as land disputes plague the nation’s poor.  TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP
Graveyards may traditionally be the eternal resting place for the dead, but one cemetery in Phnom Penh is increasingly becoming a place to stay for the living as land disputes plague the nation’s poor. TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP
This picture  shows a woman and her child preparing dinner next to graves outside their home in Phnom Penh.  TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP
This picture shows a woman and her child preparing dinner next to graves outside their home in Phnom Penh. TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP
This picture shows a woman arranging clothes inside her home in front of a grave in Phnom Penh.  TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP
This picture shows a woman arranging clothes inside her home in front of a grave in Phnom Penh. TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP
 Graveyards may traditionally be the eternal resting place for the dead, but one cemetery in Phnom Penh is increasingly becoming a place to stay for the living as land disputes plague the nation’s poor.  TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP
Graveyards may traditionally be the eternal resting place for the dead, but one cemetery in Phnom Penh is increasingly becoming a place to stay for the living as land disputes plague the nation’s poor. TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP
Graveyards may traditionally be the eternal resting place for the dead, but one cemetery in Phnom Penh is increasingly becoming a place to stay for the living as land disputes plague the nation’s poor.  TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP
Graveyards may traditionally be the eternal resting place for the dead, but one cemetery in Phnom Penh is increasingly becoming a place to stay for the living as land disputes plague the nation’s poor. TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP
This picture  shows a woman walking past graves in Phnom Penh.  TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP
This picture shows a woman walking past graves in Phnom Penh. TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP

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