By waynematthysse45@gmail.com / February 3, 2026
Last week, Dara and I took a trip to the Thai-Cambodian border in Pailin, Cambodia. I had been warned that it was dangerous because Thailand had bombed that area and was threatening to do so again. When we got there, we found that the border gate was being repaired, but not because of any damage from the fighting. I told Dara I wanted a picture of the gate, so he drove me closer, but we were immediately surrounded by the border guards. Dara said something in Khmer… but didn’t want to translate, and so I assume he just told them I was a crazy American who made him do it, because they all just laughed and let us go.
We had two reasons for making the 6-hour trip from Phnom Penh, the first being to check up on Srey Mao and her son. She was concerned because when Thailand dropped the bombs a few weeks ago, it was just 20 miles away from the house SAHAKA helped her build.
We brought her some rice and assured her that the possibility of Thailand invading or bombing her area was very small and she should not worry.
The other reason we went to Pailin was to attend the wedding ceremony of former Watopotian Mangy and Lyna. The wedding had been postponed because of the border fighting, which is on hold for now but not resolved.
The wedding was a two-day event, and so we needed to spend the night. We found a very nice, $15.00 a night, guest house in the middle of town and returned to the wedding the following morning.
We stayed through the hair-cutting ceremony and lunch, but then excused ourselves so that we could begin our 6-hour return trip to Phnom Penh…
But not before saying goodbye toWat Opot’s only twins, Bandet and Veasna, whom I had not seen for many years. They are now in the 7th grade.
It was a long trip but well worth it. Seeing our children grow up, get married, and become responsible adults is avery gratifying experience. We are so very grateful to those of you who still support us.
The SAHAKA donation page is up to date for those who may want to help us in this coming year with a tax-deductible donation. If you live in Cambodia, you can make a QR donation (below) to the SAHAKA FOUNDATION. At this time, we are running on private donations only.
