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Once again, Phnom Penh has cooked up enough attention for international observers. And as usual, sloppy politics is the blame for stirring up the pot; which some followers fear its eruption when the critically outspoken Sam Rainsy returns from his seventh month of self-proclaimed exile to Cambodia. This muchly anticipated event is just one ingredient of several bubbling events leading up the current political crisis.

Recall that a little over a half year ago, Samdech Hun Sen stripped the parliamentary immunity to three members of the opposition, Cheam Channy, Chea Poch and Sam Rainsy. Today, Channy has remain detained at Prey Sar Prison for more than five months all the while international human right organizations continue to bark the same voice calling for his releasal. Poch did fled to the States, but return a month ago to confront his charges that the ruling government claims for his role in conspiring the party's "shadow army" of toppling the regime. Rainsy remains abroad seeking further international support, however, observers like myself feel that he is running out of breath.

Now add the much debated border treaty with neighboring Vietnam into the recipe. From October 10 - 12, Samdech Hun Sen held high level meetings with Hanoi counterparts inking an agreement that he claims will "settle the borders between the two countries once and for all."

The Khmer diaspora and several dozens of border activists immediately cried foul. They claim that the treaty will give away both land and maritime to Vietnam, which in practice would legitimize the 1985 agreement during the country's occupation of Kampuchea. Defenders, including Samdech Hun Sen himself, claims that in actuality, Cambodia will gain more territory.

Understanding that the border issue is a sensitive topic for Khmers that might lead to civil unrest, Samdech Hun Sen has tighten his 'iron fist' by clamping down on all dissidents with defamation charges. The first to feel his wrath is Mam Sonando, director of the non-partisan station, Beehive Radio. Today, he remains at Prey Sar awaiting trial. Just last week, leader of the Cambodian Independent Teacher's Union, Rong Chhun was arrested. Three other critics under arrest warrants have found refuge abroad. And the last to be added to the growing list is Prince Thomico, a cousin of King Sihamoni.

Thomico's recent meddlings help sizzled the political pot, consequently, bringing the royal family into the picture. With his fiery words, Samdech Hun Sen declared on nationalize television that "no one even of royal blood is immune" to the charges. Furthermore, the prime minister has threatene to abolish the monarchy if the King does not endorse the treaty. Sides are now drawn between supporters of the royal family and the rurally popular ruling party. At present, the royal line-up of King Sihamoni, King Father, King Mother, and Prince Thomico are all in Beijing, China. King Father celebrates his 83rd birthday at the end of October.

Now back to the present with Rainsy. Humiliated by anti-Hun Sen demonstrations in the States and France, Samdech has vowed to get even. He received approval from Phnom Penh Municipality for a large scale demonstration upon Rainsy's arrival to Phnom Penh International Airport. Pre-rally have begun as anti-Rainsy banners dangle over a dozen front gates of the city's high schools and universities. His party countered, but their request to organize a rally for the support of their leader was emphatically denied.

With these ingredients simmering all together in one pot, one can naturally anticipate its boil spewing in the near future. Will we see factional fightings on the streets as similar to the 1997 coup d'etat when Rainsy returns? Will Samdech Hun Sen abolish the monarchy if King Sihamoni does not endorse the treaty? What is the fate of border activists currently detained and those in exile? Will more names be added to the list? And will the international community intervene if words turn into guns?

One thing is certain, the next several weeks all eyes and ears will be tuned on Phnom Penh, SE Asia's most politically vibrant capital.