 |  |  | |   | |  | | These statues represent the Buddhist legend of Chu Chok Gun Ha Chali. | | | | | | |  | | As in all parts of Cambodia there is extreme poverty. Pailin has one of the lowest crime rates in the country, which is attributed to the harsh swift 'justice' system of the Khmer Rouge, who would often execute criminals on the spot without trial. | | | | | | |  | | Open cast mining. The truck loads of gem bearing soil are taken away to jigs to be washed and the sapphires extracted. | | | | | | |  | | A jig used to wash the gem bearing soil. Note the flags and spirit table all there to bring good fortune to the miners. | | | | | | |  | | Miners showing me their parcels of rough sapphires. These particular people were showing me smaller sizes but the stones had excellent blue colour. | | | | | | |  | | The Pailin Good Samaritan's Gem Cutting Training School. I had to take this picture just for the name! | | | | | | |  | | There's always a gang of kids who follow you around. | | | | | | |  | | The gems are picked out from the washed soil by hand. | | | | | | |  | | Miners breaking for lunch. After many years living in Asia I have learned it is best not to ask what it is they are eating. The offer to taste some local bugs can often be the reply. | | | |  | |  | |
