He's actually a secret agent. How else can world powers get their spy's in foreign countries. By pretending to be popular travel vloggers. ITS BULLETPROOF
This guy's become my favorite travel blogger by far. Your mild manner, interactions, and knowledge/descriptions are unparalleled in my countless wasted hours of "experience" aka my opinion... Much respect to you sir, may the sabbatical never end, I wish to live vicariously through you till I can explore this amazing world myself!
The fallacy of the CCP BRI (China Belt and Road Initiative) is that all the fancy and glossy buildings and construction are to attract Western customers and their money. They also exploit the locals as labor slaves, irreversibly pollute the environment and brought in may serious social problems such as gambling, money laundering, criminal organizations, and prostitutes. It is just an empty shell ready to collapse at anytime.
Vietnamese here,in 2022 we had about 42 people tried to escape from being hostaged in the Casino Rich World in Kandal(some were lied about a job opportunity, and some were straight up being sold by their relatives), they swam across the river border to Vietnam, 1 was caught by the casino's security, 1 was shot to dead. The thing is those chinese gangsters are pretty smart, they know how to hide behind the curtain and make others do the dirty stuff, like how they control the Indian call scam and now when we think about call scammers, we think about India (lol). And they are trying to do the same stuff here in Sai Gon, kidnaping and trafficking people to casinos and works them to dead. About the kidnapping, I do not recall any case about random capturing in board daylight, they tend to lure the victim to a public area. The most common method is inviting the victim to a job's interview (fake company of course), then they will mention the company is quite far and invite the victim to join the ride to their company, once the victim gets in the car, he is their property. In my girlfriend's cousin case, he was beaten into unconscious and forced to work for about a week, the family had to pay them 12k$ to save him, and they did not receive any support from the police since our police system is shit. (they mostly ignored the issue until in 2022, Vietnam was listed on tier 3(highest) in TIP (Traffickking in Person) Report, which had a decent impact on the economy and their image, then they begin working on the issue just a little bit). And the irony is that the luring and kidnapping were done with Vietnamese' support. Its 2am here so I want to sleep, if you interested in any detail , feel free to @ me.
Same as here indonesia. Many people lured by 'agent', and they know how to scout them. Use psychology method, they found bunch of desperate people who wants to find job at rural area, and gave them high expected salary+combine with (work abroad, somehow it boost their ego, they dont know that work abroad isnt easy as it seems to be, lets say find a job in US/europe, you need TOEFL, degree, etc) Many escape different way, 1 of story i heard, they pay like $5000, cause of paspor being destroyed by mafia they need to find the embassy first to come home while hungry and no support at all.
The police system sucks, but in this case, the police can't do much because there’s a policy issue regarding the China special zone, which isn’t affected by Cambodian laws. And even if it were, Cambodia still holds a lot of resentment toward Vietnamese people, so nothing really changes. It’s a policy problem. It sounds like victim blaming but your cousin has to take responsibility for his own actions. The same thing happens to everyone who dreams of an easy job and easy money.
@@mongmongi226 They tried a similar trick on me during my stay in Malaysia. Kind of. "We really need a translator and we heard you speak 4! Please come interview. You are foreign yes? Good..." I didnt need the cash but on my CV: "Translated for a big business in Malaysia." Why not right? First see what is what and then go to the cops to ask if it is legal because do not want problems, and my local acquaintance might have an in. All good. So I get there, tatted up Chinese dudes. It was off, way off. So they were looking tough and rough, but I am guessing with foreign thye were not expecting a 1.88m mulatto dude that works out daily with a scarred face. They called me on WhatsApp mentioning my friends name, I am guessijng my number got passed around or sold or whatever, maybe I was targeted. But Chinese dude 1 was suddenly a lot less confident and started shaking no to the lady at the table. Alarm bells went off. I was told I am not what they were looking for but if I coudl just pay €10K for the inconvenience and leave my passport anyway, thye may call me so I can get driven to the job location, or not and tough luck. I told em I was not paying for a simple interview let alone 10K, and that was the go ahead for Chinese dude number 2. But they were both tiny. He quickly gave up trying to get the cash from me and Chinese dude number 1 threatened to call the cops. I told em he better be fast ro I will give him an actual reason to. He then demanded I leave. I told him he calls my local friend for any BS, I will gut him like a fish. She got flowers and an apology the next day. It was way way fishy and I expected beter from Kuala Lumpur. Especially a nice office building in the city. Cops said they found them but the office they rented was empty (probably not and bribed but whatever).
Same in Morocco, they managed to lure 100s of Moroccans for a job in Bangkok but then took them to Mae Sot and then to Myanmar. The only way some were able to get out is paying 10k USD
I have met some of them. You can immediately spot them just by the way how they talk about the Chinese government. These people can never go back to China. Some of them have fake passports, others are there illegally for years and even decades.
It's really sketchy making a real Bavet video. I was just there and riding around solo freaks out security even without me filming. I feel that doing any sort of video there with any substance could lead to very bad consequences and also maybe not being able to go back into Cambodia. It's also really hard to tell what anyone is actually doing so any video or report on any development there would be fairly speculative. Some sketchy looking stuff might not actually be sketchy/illegal. The barbed wire and enclosed industrial complexes look really bizarre to foreigners but they aren't necessarily nefarious. 🤔🤷🏼
Hi Tommy, I think you are doing a good and honest job with your videos, I see you care about what you are doing. I’m Italian, I have been living in Phnom Penh for 3 years, then I spent the last 2 years in Sihanoukville in the very same building where you where staying, Star Bay. Please let me add something to your story: First of all, the reason why so many condos are unfinished in town is the pandemic: from march 2020 everything froze, Cambodia and the other ASEAN countries didn’t see any tourist for 2 years straight. Only the biggest construction companies survived (like the one building Star Bay), while the medium/small companies bankrupted. Same thing with anybody that started some business in 2019. All the Westerner entrepreneurs left Cambodia in a few months, while most of the Chinese left within 6 / 8 months. I spent 2 months in SHV in spring 2021, believe me the situation was pretty tragic, I have been talking to some tok tok drivers that on a good day were making 1 or 2 USD, and couldn’t afford a place to sleep. Now it’s getting better, but still tourism is under 50% compared to 2019. In COVID times, with a desperate need for money, it has been easy for illegal activities to flourish. The Cambodian Government is now fighting this situation and working to make Sihanoukville a clean place again, where investors and tourists can be happy to come back. The situation you describe is of course real, but I have to say the town is not dangerous AT ALL, if you don’t mess with illegal activities. Same like in any big city, same like in Milan or in Rome. But unlike Milan or Rome, I can guarantee from my personal experience that in Sihanoukville you can walk alone anywhere anytime in the night and nothing will happen, town is very quiet and safe. Scammers, let’s make it clear, don’t kidnap people walking in the street. Cambodian people are some of the kindest and most polite people I encountered in all my life, and Sihanoukville, besides the may chinese, indonesian and foreigners business, is also a Khmer town, with real Khmer people, shops, restaurants on the beach, supermarkets, shopping malls, everything that is part of a “normal” life. Every foreign tourist is very welcome, and I wish Cambodia to have the good and prosper future it deserves. Keep on traveling and making interesting video reports! Roberto
So that situation with the pandemic causing more scamming businesses to pop up would explain why me and my family have all been getting more scam calls and messages lately… I get a “job offer” in my texts like every week lol
@@anastasiya256 maybe :) but not from Sihanoukville anymore, scams and illegal online gambling are gone, Sihanoukville has been cleaned by a joined operation between chinese and cambodian police forces
It’s great that you’re careful with the editing. Other RUclipsrs put up anything for views without concern for how it will affect the person they’ve interviewed. Really liked this video 👍
Yet he puts this young lady’s life in danger by having her covertly video these “deadly” criminals. Asking a random shop owner if the building next door is a hostage center is stupidly reckless… and shows 0 regard for his travel partner.
Worry not. Not that the criminals care. Not that the local government does not know. The Chinese government is the only authority that cares but can do little.
@@joeawkit is all party run. Win- win for the party to have power in neighbouring countries when needed and this force multiplies to topple the local government if tgey do not comply to party rules. Then 9dash line becomes 20 dash lines. This is is a fast growing cancer across the world.
The reason why there are so many casinos on the border of Vietnam, is because its illegal for local Viets to gamble in Vietnam.. so they do a border run to play.
Every day every week through the media, TV News and social networks, Vietnam Police inform Vietnamese people about fraud, gambling, kidnapping, murder, and Mafia gangs in Cambodia near the border with Vietnam. Currently, Vietnam is very afraid of every move of the Chinese in Cambodia.
Man, you share so much of the story that regular travel vloggers don't even touch on! The growing illicit businesses and gand spread...siper interesting! I appreciate it so much!
Man, a lifetime ago I lead a very different life and ive been to my share of places in europe that people would call dangerous and such but the palpable feeling from just watching that city you wandered around in was something else. Maybe its the mixture of the sadness along the undertone of the criminal activity. A place were people can very easily just disappear in more than one way. Anyway another tremendous piece of video documentation Sabbatical !
I was in China once with Chinese girl friend..I saw a guy wearing a hat Said Fuck police...I asked her will they get in trouble for wearing that??? She said NO no one knows what it says here 😂😂😂
I am literally shocked and speachless seeing this even as a Chinese myself. I didn't know places like this exist outside China and is wild like this. Keep going Tommy and thanks for all your videos.
70 % of Chinese today don’t know who pol pot is . Chinese helped pol pot get into power in the 1970s who killed 2.5 million Cambodian people and send 250,000 Chinese soldiers to attack Vietnam in 1979 when Vietnam 🇻🇳 overthrew pol pot .
@@garrya7576 Did i say the Chinese money isn't preferred?? It has for sure lost its charm though. Places change with the times and I'm glad to have experienced it then.
When I lived in vietnam I read a ton about people being kidnapped, or tricked into working at casinos. They would have their passports taken and have no money / way to return home. These people need to be saved
@@Mkbshg8 You can recognize which one is correct from the context. There is most commonly used to mean “at that point” or “in that place.” Their is the possessive form of the third-person plural pronoun “they.” It means “belonging to them.” They're is a shortened version of “they are.” Well done.
New Sabbatical Video Drops: You had my curiosity. New Sabbatical Video Drops & Tommy is wearing his All-Business Black Button Up Shirt: You have my attention. Thanks again Tommy for being such an awesome American Ambassador and showing us places that we could have never even imagined.
Hey Tommy as a 60 year old I absolutely love your videos, you go where i wouldnt have the balls to go, I seen places i never would have seen thanks to you...keep up the great work !!
Just watching this make me cry, as a Cambodia I have never seen the state of Sihanouk Ville since I was a kid and now a young adult This place look nothing like the beautiful province I used to visit. Our people have no control over our own country, even when everyone is aware of the corruption, no one has the power to change. Seeing our people get kick out and scammed in their own country made me angry and scared of the future of my country. I’m just yapping at this point, but thank you man for covering this and show this to the internet using your platform.
You’re not yapping at all, I’m Cambodian American and this makes me so sad. Aside from corruption, the word exploitation arises. We’re barely bouncing back from the end the Khmer Rouge and now our people have to deal with this. Same thing in Africa, children are raised around cobalt mines polluting their water, ran by Chinese companies
It can say you never visit Sihanoukville now, let’s go again, it is beautiful and more. Don’t lie others, I been their last month, they have developed many places beside inside the city.
I used to go there 10 years ago, it was a quiet dirt road town with little crab restaurants, happy pizza places, and quiet beaches. This was super sad to see it’s unrecognizable. Hopefully Kep is still the same.
When I went there 10 years ago the atmosphere was already beyond shady. There were already a lot of Russians - in fact, I stayed at a small hotel owned by one. The islands off the coast were incredible, though.
Really appreciate for your video. As a foreigner who lived in Cambodia from 2005, i witness Cambodia changes since then. The chinese gangster were really tarnishing both the cambodian and chinese images.
I’m a light skin Asian so I blended in with Chinese in Cambodia but damn, I felt super sketchy going out late at night. I was deadass scared of getting kidnapped in Cambodia and cut my trip short
Probably you're gonna be okay, since you easily blended in with the Chinese due to as you'd said, Chinese admitted or not are the ones who run the show in Cambodia.. No one wants to mess with them
The Chinese in Sihanouk ville have a preference to not mess with the local people. A lot of the native death they happen over there come from native being caught in the cross fire between gang war.
The scammer hired mafias don't care what ethnic groups are you from, as long as you look useful to them. I read on news even some Kazakhs and (outer) Mongolians were kidnapped.
As a Khmer, who was last in Shihanoukville in 2019, what a change. Even back in 2019, I was told it was a bad place to go. It is filled with drugs, Prostitution, casinos, and of course, gansters. Sad but true.
Thanks Tommy for your vlogs, I am still following you around the world and I appreciate your Authenic Contents, safe travels young man on your adventures with different cultures around the world.
I salute you, Tommy. You have so many different facets to your videos but you are also fearless and unafraid to do the heavy lifting yourself on topics such as these. Appreciate the risks you take on your travels to bring this content.
Another creepy place I encountered just days ago: the Thansur Sokha hotel/ casino at the top of a national park hill, in the middle of nowhere. A giagantic luxury hotel with a 3000 parking space lot while completely abandoned. It is still operating... Even though the empleyees outnumber the guests. I found an article that mentioned human trafficking in the buildings we cannot see due to the huge casino/ hotel. A local told us the owner of the caino is one of the richest man in Cambodia and a friend of the government, creepier still
The fact that you even know about Cambodia situation now is kinda late. But it is amazing that you know of it and showing it. Thank you for bringing more attention to this.
I owned a business in S'Ville for many many years when it was a fledgling backpacker destination. It was a beautiful time and the city was undergoing what seemed to be a economic transformation in the right direction. I cannot express how disheartening it is for me to see what has happened to this city. Truly heartbreaking.
It's pretty sad in Sihanoukville now. Lots of unfinished large developments. It's not the chill grass hut, hammock, drink and BBQed squid with a doobie on the beach any more. Sad. The govt is incentivising construction completion and clean demolition at the moment so if you have money you be part of a new change F the better this time. The Chinese casino phase before COVID was a bit anarchic and tasteless.
@@joeawkThe Chinese mafia in Cambodia is supported by the Chinese government to influence the economy and politics. In the long run, it will be a tool to help the Beijing government manipulate the host country's government. Throughout Southeast Asia, all governments are manipulated and influenced by China through debt traps, the Chinese community, Chinese politicians and the Chinese mafia (under the guise of businessmen). doing parallel spy work for Beijing. Only Vietnam is an exception - a country that China has never been able to assimilate for thousands of years.
Bro, almost all the new modern buildings in Cambodia is funded and owned/partly owned by the Chinese. Even the office buildings of your government ministries, including the Ministry of National Defence is constructed by China (espionage-alert!!)
Wow Tommy I was in Cambodia about 20 yrs ago I heard that the country was developing quickly & not in a positive way It’s a shame the big casinos have pushed out the locals by forcing them to sell their homes 4 dirt cheap. Keep exposing these crooks just stay safe bro!!!
@@ThisIsMyCambodia it's definitely not racism If anyone criticizes how and by whom this city has developed. I think you should ask those who have lost their homes because of some fricken casino. They hardly call it racism, which is an overused term anyway.
@@Marisolita_95 The problem we have though is it's more a case of we think what is implanted on us. I mean, look at the History of what we've done here. China, no Wars in over 45 years, peaceful diplomatic relations with the Khmer since the 13th century at Angkor... We in the West gave rise to, and later even funded, supported and trained the Khmer Rouge, even after the genocide... When I say racism, I'm not referring to you or the reader, I'm saying that it is no coincidence that we form these views because that's how bad the process of indoctrination is. The means that are used are far more subtle and seemingly innocuous to us. But they are forever present and our greatest danger because they control our perceived ability to think with clarity.... This is the WHY the History does not fit the logic. This being the case it's implanted on us... It's purpose is to keep us at War. For there is no money in peace and the U.S industry of War has had its eyes on China since the early 90's. That's all this is.
@@ThisIsMyCambodia Ok, I've got your point. And I admit, never been to Cambodia nor this particular city. I've been to Vietnam and Laos though. If you're a habitant of this city, you know better than I. I misunderstood something and didn't mean to be a wise guy, or in my case a wise girl. All the best to you! Peace 🕊️
@@Marisolita_95 This one thing I've come to know and understand in life, to be completely honest I wish I never looked into it. But it's the reason I moved here. It truly just doesn't sit well with me, that history. Come to Cambodia, you'll love it! The Khmer are a special people. ❤️🇰🇭
Bro always pushing boundaries and touching down most dangerous areas to visit. I'm a brother from South Africa trying to move to Asia/ middle east but im still paying of University. I'm learning Asian languages too
即使作为中国人，我想我去了当地也会很紧张，甚至不敢进这些赌场，尤其是看到你视频中这些人表露出的凶狠的目光。在我看来这些黑社会还是很原始的阶段，高阶的应该是穿西服喝红酒做慈善的同时搞些见不得人的事情。从另一个方面来说，缅甸政府吸引不来优质的外资，或者说为了短期的利益不去监管外资的质量，亦或者明知道黑恶势力还要引狼入室，我想可能是无奈的选择。不管怎么样，我希望人民都能体面的活着，可是逼到我们面前的困境是，有限的资源如何分配，西方通过早期的血腥的资本积累，今天以一种更文明的方式去抢夺资源，正如你结尾所提到的the evil is the same。我想不管是视频中的中国黑恶势力还是任何其他国家种族的黑恶势力，都是我们人类共同的敌人。love and peace
It used to be such a beautiful place. I first visited in 2004, just when Cambodia got its first ATM machine. Back then, it was a sleepy fishing town with a charming, unspoiled atmosphere. In 2010, it was still laid-back, maintaining much of its original allure. We went back in January 2020, hoping to relive some of those serene memories, but it had turned into a complete mess. The beaches were dirty, construction was everywhere, and the once-peaceful town was now overrun with hookers and gangsters. It was disheartening to see such a drastic transformation. Adding to the dismay, I read about human trafficking rescue workers who have been imprisoned by the Cambodian government, reflecting a troubling shift in the country's governance. Back in 2004, the local people believed the government was genuinely trying to help Cambodians. Now, the corruption is worse than ever, undermining any hope for progress and tarnishing the memories of what was once a beautiful place.
Let's do this.
Go to expressvpn.com/sabbatical and find out how you can get 3 months of ExpressVPN FREE!
first haha
yes,, go to BAVET or CHEY trum
Saturday mornings are becoming my favorites! Love the long format. It felt like we were on an adventure with you and Mey. Be safe out there!
Tell Scambaiter where they are (Scammers)
Ukrainian, Russian and American communicate in Chinese in Cambodia, what a world
Because they are part of the Chinese mafia (triad?). So they speak the language of their circle/masters.
welcome to the future! (?)
@@furukawatakeru1800😂
😂😂
😂You don't see this situation anywhere else on earth.
Bro doing better investigative journalism than the average news agency
He's actually a secret agent. How else can world powers get their spy's in foreign countries. By pretending to be popular travel vloggers. ITS BULLETPROOF
Fucking right he is!
No one suspects the guy that looks like a broke backpacker thats what ive come to find out.
100%
@@VisionofTomo doesn't have a backpack though
In Asia nobody trusts the westerner with a backpack
This guy's become my favorite travel blogger by far. Your mild manner, interactions, and knowledge/descriptions are unparalleled in my countless wasted hours of "experience" aka my opinion... Much respect to you sir, may the sabbatical never end, I wish to live vicariously through you till I can explore this amazing world myself!
Definitely. I watch his channel a lot, too. I very much enjoy the experience from his perspective.
wow! I've lived in Vietnam for 6 years close to the Cambodian border. I know a lot but thank you for being brave enough to share this.
It is common knowledge, they don't care so long as the police don't care.
The fallacy of the CCP BRI (China Belt and Road Initiative) is that all the fancy and glossy buildings and construction are to attract Western customers and their money. They also exploit the locals as labor slaves, irreversibly pollute the environment and brought in may serious social problems such as gambling, money laundering, criminal organizations, and prostitutes. It is just an empty shell ready to collapse at anytime.
Vietnamese here,in 2022 we had about 42 people tried to escape from being hostaged in the Casino Rich World in Kandal(some were lied about a job opportunity, and some were straight up being sold by their relatives), they swam across the river border to Vietnam, 1 was caught by the casino's security, 1 was shot to dead. The thing is those chinese gangsters are pretty smart, they know how to hide behind the curtain and make others do the dirty stuff, like how they control the Indian call scam and now when we think about call scammers, we think about India (lol). And they are trying to do the same stuff here in Sai Gon, kidnaping and trafficking people to casinos and works them to dead. About the kidnapping, I do not recall any case about random capturing in board daylight, they tend to lure the victim to a public area. The most common method is inviting the victim to a job's interview (fake company of course), then they will mention the company is quite far and invite the victim to join the ride to their company, once the victim gets in the car, he is their property. In my girlfriend's cousin case, he was beaten into unconscious and forced to work for about a week, the family had to pay them 12k$ to save him, and they did not receive any support from the police since our police system is shit. (they mostly ignored the issue until in 2022, Vietnam was listed on tier 3(highest) in TIP (Traffickking in Person) Report, which had a decent impact on the economy and their image, then they begin working on the issue just a little bit). And the irony is that the luring and kidnapping were done with Vietnamese' support. Its 2am here so I want to sleep, if you interested in any detail , feel free to @ me.
Same as here indonesia. Many people lured by 'agent', and they know how to scout them. Use psychology method, they found bunch of desperate people who wants to find job at rural area, and gave them high expected salary+combine with (work abroad, somehow it boost their ego, they dont know that work abroad isnt easy as it seems to be, lets say find a job in US/europe, you need TOEFL, degree, etc)
Many escape different way, 1 of story i heard, they pay like $5000, cause of paspor being destroyed by mafia they need to find the embassy first to come home while hungry and no support at all.
The police system sucks, but in this case, the police can't do much because there’s a policy issue regarding the China special zone, which isn’t affected by Cambodian laws. And even if it were, Cambodia still holds a lot of resentment toward Vietnamese people, so nothing really changes. It’s a policy problem. It sounds like victim blaming but your cousin has to take responsibility for his own actions. The same thing happens to everyone who dreams of an easy job and easy money.
south east asia is in danger brother if the public don't know who their real enemies are
@@mongmongi226 They tried a similar trick on me during my stay in Malaysia. Kind of.
"We really need a translator and we heard you speak 4! Please come interview. You are foreign yes? Good..." I didnt need the cash but on my CV: "Translated for a big business in Malaysia." Why not right? First see what is what and then go to the cops to ask if it is legal because do not want problems, and my local acquaintance might have an in. All good.
So I get there, tatted up Chinese dudes. It was off, way off. So they were looking tough and rough, but I am guessing with foreign thye were not expecting a 1.88m mulatto dude that works out daily with a scarred face. They called me on WhatsApp mentioning my friends name, I am guessijng my number got passed around or sold or whatever, maybe I was targeted. But Chinese dude 1 was suddenly a lot less confident and started shaking no to the lady at the table. Alarm bells went off. I was told I am not what they were looking for but if I coudl just pay €10K for the inconvenience and leave my passport anyway, thye may call me so I can get driven to the job location, or not and tough luck.
I told em I was not paying for a simple interview let alone 10K, and that was the go ahead for Chinese dude number 2. But they were both tiny. He quickly gave up trying to get the cash from me and Chinese dude number 1 threatened to call the cops. I told em he better be fast ro I will give him an actual reason to. He then demanded I leave. I told him he calls my local friend for any BS, I will gut him like a fish. She got flowers and an apology the next day.
It was way way fishy and I expected beter from Kuala Lumpur. Especially a nice office building in the city. Cops said they found them but the office they rented was empty (probably not and bribed but whatever).
Same in Morocco, they managed to lure 100s of Moroccans for a job in Bangkok but then took them to Mae Sot and then to Myanmar. The only way some were able to get out is paying 10k USD
Only guy who is always calm AF in his vlogs and videos.
Yes, and I think this is him being the most enthusiastic he could ever be 😂
Government training.
@@X_Marks-u7r lol...not likely
@@X_Marks-u7rnah. which one lol
@@X_Marks-u7r rofl
Lots of gangsters from China ended up in the neighbouring countries that aren't as tough on crime to continue their businesses.
I have met some of them. You can immediately spot them just by the way how they talk about the Chinese government. These people can never go back to China. Some of them have fake passports, others are there illegally for years and even decades.
These neighbors are extremely hard on crime....if you cant pay.
Malaysia too?
yep
ye dik, Malaysia lama dah dik
I didn't see a single article/discussion about Krong Bavet on google or wikipedia. Incredible how Tommy casually breaks a completely untold story.
US are censoring things on Google
It's known in the backpackers community. It used to be a chill place apparently.
It's actually covered by many media in Taiwan. Most of the articles were in Chinese though.
It's really sketchy making a real Bavet video. I was just there and riding around solo freaks out security even without me filming. I feel that doing any sort of video there with any substance could lead to very bad consequences and also maybe not being able to go back into Cambodia. It's also really hard to tell what anyone is actually doing so any video or report on any development there would be fairly speculative. Some sketchy looking stuff might not actually be sketchy/illegal. The barbed wire and enclosed industrial complexes look really bizarre to foreigners but they aren't necessarily nefarious. 🤔🤷🏼
Thank you for your input. Interesting. @@disbsam333
Hi Tommy,
I think you are doing a good and honest job with your videos, I see you care about what you are doing.
I’m Italian, I have been living in Phnom Penh for 3 years, then I spent the last 2 years in Sihanoukville in the very same building where you where staying, Star Bay.
Please let me add something to your story:
First of all, the reason why so many condos are unfinished in town is the pandemic: from march 2020 everything froze, Cambodia and the other ASEAN countries didn’t see any tourist for 2 years straight. Only the biggest construction companies survived (like the one building Star Bay), while the medium/small companies bankrupted. Same thing with anybody that started some business in 2019. All the Westerner entrepreneurs left Cambodia in a few months, while most of the Chinese left within 6 / 8 months.
I spent 2 months in SHV in spring 2021, believe me the situation was pretty tragic, I have been talking to some tok tok drivers that on a good day were making 1 or 2 USD, and couldn’t afford a place to sleep.
Now it’s getting better, but still tourism is under 50% compared to 2019.
In COVID times, with a desperate need for money, it has been easy for illegal activities to flourish.
The Cambodian Government is now fighting this situation and working to make Sihanoukville a clean place again, where investors and tourists can be happy to come back.
The situation you describe is of course real, but I have to say the town is not dangerous AT ALL, if you don’t mess with illegal activities. Same like in any big city, same like in Milan or in Rome.
But unlike Milan or Rome, I can guarantee from my personal experience that in Sihanoukville you can walk alone anywhere anytime in the night and nothing will happen, town is very quiet and safe.
Scammers, let’s make it clear, don’t kidnap people walking in the street.
Cambodian people are some of the kindest and most polite people I encountered in all my life, and Sihanoukville, besides the may chinese, indonesian and foreigners business, is also a Khmer town, with real Khmer people, shops, restaurants on the beach, supermarkets, shopping malls, everything that is part of a “normal” life.
Every foreign tourist is very welcome, and I wish Cambodia to have the good and prosper future it deserves.
Keep on traveling and making interesting video reports!
Roberto
Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience about Cambodia, I really appreciate it Mr. Robssolo 🙏
Thank you for the info😊
So that situation with the pandemic causing more scamming businesses to pop up would explain why me and my family have all been getting more scam calls and messages lately…
I get a “job offer” in my texts like every week lol
@@anastasiya256 maybe :) but not from Sihanoukville anymore, scams and illegal online gambling are gone, Sihanoukville has been cleaned by a joined operation between chinese and cambodian police forces
@@robssolo that’s nice to hear. Good for the residents of the city and surrounding area.
This video is nuts. Good work fella
Just watched this last night. I was the guy that said what’s up on way the into whole foods just a bit ago. Awesome to run into you!
😎
It’s great that you’re careful with the editing. Other RUclipsrs put up anything for views without concern for how it will affect the person they’ve interviewed.
Really liked this video 👍
Yet he puts this young lady’s life in danger by having her covertly video these “deadly” criminals. Asking a random shop owner if the building next door is a hostage center is stupidly reckless… and shows 0 regard for his travel partner.
cough cough BALD Cough cough BALDR
.. all these BALD & BANKRUPT wannabees...
Worry not. Not that the criminals care. Not that the local government does not know.
The Chinese government is the only authority that cares but can do little.
@@joeawkit is all party run. Win- win for the party to have power in neighbouring countries when needed and this force multiplies to topple the local government if tgey do not comply to party rules. Then 9dash line becomes 20 dash lines. This is is a fast growing cancer across the world.
You make great vidieos ... and are brave 🤠
Thanks my friend
Where's the bravery? 😇
@@Charlie-phlezkc'mon, you're too old for this.
Thanks! 🙏
Just stumbled onto this gem of a channel. I won't be stumbling off it in a rush. Brilliant 👏🏻
The reason why there are so many casinos on the border of Vietnam, is because its illegal for local Viets to gamble in Vietnam.. so they do a border run to play.
Same with Batumi for the Turks.
The main reason is the Chinese are using it for money laundering
Every day every week through the media, TV News and social networks, Vietnam Police inform Vietnamese people about fraud, gambling, kidnapping, murder, and Mafia gangs in Cambodia near the border with Vietnam. Currently, Vietnam is very afraid of every move of the Chinese in Cambodia.
thats because casino's are a scam local cambodians arent allowed to gamble either
Same for Macau 🇲🇴 and mainland 🇨🇳
Man, you share so much of the story that regular travel vloggers don't even touch on! The growing illicit businesses and gand spread...siper interesting! I appreciate it so much!
This vlog was quite the journey. Love your work! Keep it up!
Awesome video! So wild to see this type of stuff coming up and being built
Man, a lifetime ago I lead a very different life and ive been to my share of places in europe that people would call dangerous and such but the palpable feeling from just watching that city you wandered around in was something else. Maybe its the mixture of the sadness along the undertone of the criminal activity. A place were people can very easily just disappear in more than one way.
Anyway another tremendous piece of video documentation Sabbatical !
The dude wearing the “I’m stoned” shirt not knowing what it probably says is the funniest shit ever 🤣🤣🤣
I was in China once with Chinese girl friend..I saw a guy wearing a hat Said Fuck police...I asked her will they get in trouble for wearing that??? She said NO no one knows what it says here 😂😂😂
Like us getting a Chinese tattoo lol
@@wildeninja2836relatable 😂
Probably knows. It's Cambodia, most people speak English. Good weed there.
@@lesterlanzo3205 we know English，in China everone need to learn English in school，we just dont care about what you wearing，OK？
Just finished the video. Your best work yet! This really was an incredible piece of work you did and I hope it gets all the attention it deserves
Moments after being told that the drink will increase his sex drive, tommy got a female companion
Deer antler velvet is well known to be good for your sex drive. However, deer penis??? I don't know so much.
Lol i didnt catch that 🤣😂
She's sweet.. seen her before with Tommy before
😂😂😂
Thanks for doing this video. This is a great information.
Super informative tommy,be careful there!
I am literally shocked and speachless seeing this even as a Chinese myself. I didn't know places like this exist outside China and is wild like this. Keep going Tommy and thanks for all your videos.
How can you Access RUclips in china??
@@ahambrahmasmi9617 shhh don't tell anyone
@@ahambrahmasmi9617 vpn
@@ahambrahmasmi9617 Sabbatical Literally Did an Ad in this video on how to do it lol
70 % of Chinese today don’t know who pol pot is . Chinese helped pol pot get into power in the 1970s who killed 2.5 million Cambodian people and send 250,000 Chinese soldiers to attack Vietnam in 1979 when Vietnam 🇻🇳 overthrew pol pot .
I used to spend a few months there each year in the early 00's. It's crazy to see how backpacker central has morphed into this.
Backpackers aren't welcome anymore. Why would they be? Chinese money is sweeter.
@@garrya7576 Did i say the Chinese money isn't preferred?? It has for sure lost its charm though. Places change with the times and I'm glad to have experienced it then.
What did you do there? 🤔
@@AR777bomb I based myself in LOS, but i needed to get a new visa from Phnom Penh.
Beach parties at Utopia and billiards at Chivas Shack
Got my snack and a water, I’m ready to watch. So excited to watch anything from Tommy!
Literally, you could have said nothing!!
下班回家挤地铁看😂
You must lead a very productive life then
When I lived in vietnam I read a ton about people being kidnapped, or tricked into working at casinos. They would have their passports taken and have no money / way to return home. These people need to be saved
I like that sabbatical talks history but also has fun on his channel! I love it, a good balance ❤
Mate stay safe, but keep pumping these vids out. EVERYONE should know what their doing.
EVERYONE should know the difference between their and they're, too.
@@Mkbshg8 You can recognize which one is correct from the context. There is most commonly used to mean “at that point” or “in that place.” Their is the possessive form of the third-person plural pronoun “they.” It means “belonging to them.” They're is a shortened version of “they are.” Well done.
@@frednerk2127 I love you!
New Sabbatical Video Drops: You had my curiosity.
New Sabbatical Video Drops & Tommy is wearing his All-Business Black Button Up Shirt: You have my attention.
Thanks again Tommy for being such an awesome American Ambassador and showing us places that we could have never even imagined.
You have the best travel yt page of anyone. Absolutely amazing videos and experiences
Hey Tommy as a 60 year old I absolutely love your videos, you go where i wouldnt have the balls to go, I seen places i never would have seen thanks to you...keep up the great work !!
Excellent content. Much respect to this content creator. Hat tipped.
An amazing video / "news report" !! This video shows why Tommy is one of , if not the best blogger on RUclips!!
Love the investigative journalism and vlogging omg
The hotel that had a board with pictures of people's faces on them... now that's the first time I've ever seen that inside a hotel. That's nuts
Employee of the month?
@@absfinal Im sure thats what theyd want you to think it is
thats probably just people who didnt pay their gambling debts and now are barred from entering
could also be former gangsters/assocaties "excommunicated" from the organization who are currently unwelcome
Missing people posters ?
Thats what it looks like
Just watching this make me cry, as a Cambodia I have never seen the state of Sihanouk Ville since I was a kid and now a young adult This place look nothing like the beautiful province I used to visit. Our people have no control over our own country, even when everyone is aware of the corruption, no one has the power to change. Seeing our people get kick out and scammed in their own country made me angry and scared of the future of my country. I’m just yapping at this point, but thank you man for covering this and show this to the internet using your platform.
You’re not yapping at all, I’m Cambodian American and this makes me so sad. Aside from corruption, the word exploitation arises. We’re barely bouncing back from the end the Khmer Rouge and now our people have to deal with this.
Same thing in Africa, children are raised around cobalt mines polluting their water, ran by Chinese companies
@@idontdrinkrumh2oisgood971 well, if u wanna take over ur country back. Grow some balls of steel and fight your leader
I was here 15yrs ago. Totally unrecognizable
It can say you never visit Sihanoukville now, let’s go again, it is beautiful and more. Don’t lie others, I been their last month, they have developed many places beside inside the city.
@@KhMusic186 Yes agree. It's amazing how much people trust rumours and this kind of b/s videos and don't go and see themselves what is the truth.
Always great vids Tommy.
I used to go there 10 years ago, it was a quiet dirt road town with little crab restaurants, happy pizza places, and quiet beaches. This was super sad to see it’s unrecognizable. Hopefully Kep is still the same.
Yes, Kep is still beautiful and the same, but they have developed a bit like the roads and some of the tourist places.
It is.
When I went there 10 years ago the atmosphere was already beyond shady. There were already a lot of Russians - in fact, I stayed at a small hotel owned by one. The islands off the coast were incredible, though.
10 years ago, 2014, they were just about to start construction.
They're building new airports. I'm guessing for the Chinese tourists.
Love how you're able to Charisma Check your way out of things
@SabbaticalTommy stepping your game up. You make great videos!
Really appreciate for your video. As a foreigner who lived in Cambodia from 2005, i witness Cambodia changes since then. The chinese gangster were really tarnishing both the cambodian and chinese images.
I’m a light skin Asian so I blended in with Chinese in Cambodia but damn, I felt super sketchy going out late at night. I was deadass scared of getting kidnapped in Cambodia and cut my trip short
Probably you're gonna be okay, since you easily blended in with the Chinese due to as you'd said, Chinese admitted or not are the ones who run the show in Cambodia..
No one wants to mess with them
@@dietrichhrabak5160 you dead wrong bro, chinese only mess with their own people.
The Chinese in Sihanouk ville have a preference to not mess with the local people. A lot of the native death they happen over there come from native being caught in the cross fire between gang war.
The scammer hired mafias don't care what ethnic groups are you from, as long as you look useful to them. I read on news even some Kazakhs and (outer) Mongolians were kidnapped.
Kidnapped for what unless they can extort. Do you think they kidnap at random?
This is next level RUclips, great job 👍🏻
All in all, he is worth following even though I don't necessarily always agree with him.
As a Khmer, who was last in Shihanoukville in 2019, what a change. Even back in 2019, I was told it was a bad place to go. It is filled with drugs, Prostitution, casinos, and of course, gansters. Sad but true.
A bit like any western city then??
Nice bro ! good work.
Thanks Tommy for your vlogs, I am still following you around the world and I appreciate your Authenic Contents, safe travels young man on your adventures with different cultures around the world.
I salute you, Tommy. You have so many different facets to your videos but you are also fearless and unafraid to do the heavy lifting yourself on topics such as these. Appreciate the risks you take on your travels to bring this content.
I haven't even started watching this but I've already smashed the Like button because Tommy never disappoints
Nice Work Dude!
Every westerner visiting Asia “ I was here 10 years ago and it was nothing like this “ 😂
As a alien I was at earth 1000 years ago and it was nothing like this
True but this is on another level
Best vlogger out there, presents information using different views of the topic at hand. Thanks for exposing the weirdos and losers.
The Crown Hotel was eerie, disturbing to think about what could be going on there and what the meaning behind those photos were...
The photos are of people banned from the casino. Winners no doubt.
Thank you Sabbatical Tommy for "opening-up" my eyes more to certain realities. As such, I became a new subscriber. Amítófó! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼❤️💐
Another creepy place I encountered just days ago: the Thansur Sokha hotel/ casino at the top of a national park hill, in the middle of nowhere. A giagantic luxury hotel with a 3000 parking space lot while completely abandoned. It is still operating... Even though the empleyees outnumber the guests. I found an article that mentioned human trafficking in the buildings we cannot see due to the huge casino/ hotel. A local told us the owner of the caino is one of the richest man in Cambodia and a friend of the government, creepier still
I still don't quite know what exactly is human trafficking.
great stuff thank you for your content
Love your content, stay safe out there Tommy.
This is NOT the Sinahoukvile I visited in 2014. Holy shit.
Tell me about it! I use to live there until the chinese kicked me and a whole lot of other expats out.
@@jf-be4zy呀？谁赶你们有挺搞笑，你们白人至上主义挺搞笑的
you right.there where sum tent bungalows on the beach and sum discos.and now...damn.
@@雅君墨客-i9z don't get emotional
How did they kick you out? I got the feeling that the Chinese didn’t like this white guy.
His language skills always blow my mind . His ability to communicate in just about every county he visits is really amazing .
brilliant work as always sir.
Just stumbled upon your channel very interesting documentary 👍
That this channel don't have millions of subs is a shame. Tommy is really a unique youtuber. ✌
agree
Top level vlogg,as usual.
Big up Tommy✌🏽❤🤜🏽
yayaya sabbatical upload!!!
The fact that you even know about Cambodia situation now is kinda late. But it is amazing that you know of it and showing it. Thank you for bringing more attention to this.
I love the Chinese dude at the medicine store giving Tommy the side-eye trying to puzzle out if he liked the baiju 😂. 19:19
That guy sketchy af
@@SM-ku3uo He's showin' his son the hustle too.
Great video very insightful
Your hair looks amazing!!😍
Great work, more people need to be aware of this horrid situation.
Great work
I owned a business in S'Ville for many many years when it was a fledgling backpacker destination. It was a beautiful time and the city was undergoing what seemed to be a economic transformation in the right direction. I cannot express how disheartening it is for me to see what has happened to this city. Truly heartbreaking.
Pros and cons but the Vons are distressing.
Backpackers is not going to be enough to lift poverty.
What happen in your country`s developments?
It's pretty sad in Sihanoukville now. Lots of unfinished large developments.
It's not the chill grass hut, hammock, drink and BBQed squid with a doobie on the beach any more.
Sad. The govt is incentivising construction completion and clean demolition at the moment so if you have money you be part of a new change F the better this time.
The Chinese casino phase before COVID was a bit anarchic and tasteless.
@@joeawkThe Chinese mafia in Cambodia is supported by the Chinese government to influence the economy and politics. In the long run, it will be a tool to help the Beijing government manipulate the host country's government.
Throughout Southeast Asia, all governments are manipulated and influenced by China through debt traps, the Chinese community, Chinese politicians and the Chinese mafia (under the guise of businessmen). doing parallel spy work for Beijing. Only Vietnam is an exception - a country that China has never been able to assimilate for thousands of years.
As a Cambodian, this is very sad to see
Bro, almost all the new modern buildings in Cambodia is funded and owned/partly owned by the Chinese. Even the office buildings of your government ministries, including the Ministry of National Defence is constructed by China (espionage-alert!!)
Your government is involved.
As a Vietnamese, I feel bad for sihanoukville, It was a beautiful town before, now even Cambodian can't stay
As a chinese malaysian,myself.This is not 5000 years taught me .
as a real Khmer will be sad to watching this,but Hunsen family not an real Khmer,they're Chinese-Cam...that's how they did in Khmer mother land!!
Have been waiting for your new vlogs...quite a while tho..glad you're ok👍
Dude your uploads are always such a welcome surprise. Thanks for all the content 😊
Great shots of the inside the dark sides. Please keep it up and be very careful. Thank you for sharing.
Love your video!!!
Great journalism Tommy 👍
Wow Tommy I was in Cambodia about 20 yrs ago I heard that the country was developing quickly & not in a positive way It’s a shame the big casinos have pushed out the locals by forcing them to sell their homes 4 dirt cheap. Keep exposing these crooks just stay safe bro!!!
It's just racism, it's definitely developing in a positive way.
@@ThisIsMyCambodia it's definitely not racism If anyone criticizes how and by whom this city has developed. I think you should ask those who have lost their homes because of some fricken casino. They hardly call it racism, which is an overused term anyway.
@@Marisolita_95 The problem we have though is it's more a case of we think what is implanted on us. I mean, look at the History of what we've done here. China, no Wars in over 45 years, peaceful diplomatic relations with the Khmer since the 13th century at Angkor... We in the West gave rise to, and later even funded, supported and trained the Khmer Rouge, even after the genocide... When I say racism, I'm not referring to you or the reader, I'm saying that it is no coincidence that we form these views because that's how bad the process of indoctrination is. The means that are used are far more subtle and seemingly innocuous to us. But they are forever present and our greatest danger because they control our perceived ability to think with clarity.... This is the WHY the History does not fit the logic. This being the case it's implanted on us... It's purpose is to keep us at War. For there is no money in peace and the U.S industry of War has had its eyes on China since the early 90's. That's all this is.
@@ThisIsMyCambodia Ok, I've got your point. And I admit, never been to Cambodia nor this particular city. I've been to Vietnam and Laos though. If you're a habitant of this city, you know better than I. I misunderstood something and didn't mean to be a wise guy, or in my case a wise girl. All the best to you! Peace 🕊️
@@Marisolita_95 This one thing I've come to know and understand in life, to be completely honest I wish I never looked into it. But it's the reason I moved here. It truly just doesn't sit well with me, that history. Come to Cambodia, you'll love it! The Khmer are a special people. ❤️🇰🇭
Great informative video. Your friend (Mae?) has clear journalistic skills and toughness too. Kudos to you both.
excellent video
Thanks for explaining, informative.
Dude with the back tat is definitely in the mafia
He turned around too. I'm not sure Tommy got the memo.
@@tiburcio729what that mean tattoo
Yah he was acting tough also 😂
he looks like a nerd trying to act tough. I see heaps of them when i visited cambodia
yes，most of Chinese mafia is from fujian province
great video as always. loved that austrian guy who shared his opinion of the city
the fujian guy that raised his shirt is a gangster, the way he talks. that one is the real deal.
which part of the video
@@lumthegreat 31:46
he showed hiis tatto's like "don't play with me" 😂
Dudes a clown. Showing his tattoo to press people is a clown move. Sometimes I wonder how these dudes would really act with out a gang behind him.
lmao he's not bro is just a wannabe trying to intimidate, real deal ppl arent like that
Its great to watch your stuff. Regards from Switzerland
36:43: Tolong Nonton, Wawancara tentang bisnis judi online yang dikendalikan di Kamboja (Indonesian)
Bro always pushing boundaries and touching down most dangerous areas to visit. I'm a brother from South Africa trying to move to Asia/ middle east but im still paying of University. I'm learning Asian languages too
即使作为中国人，我想我去了当地也会很紧张，甚至不敢进这些赌场，尤其是看到你视频中这些人表露出的凶狠的目光。在我看来这些黑社会还是很原始的阶段，高阶的应该是穿西服喝红酒做慈善的同时搞些见不得人的事情。从另一个方面来说，缅甸政府吸引不来优质的外资，或者说为了短期的利益不去监管外资的质量，亦或者明知道黑恶势力还要引狼入室，我想可能是无奈的选择。不管怎么样，我希望人民都能体面的活着，可是逼到我们面前的困境是，有限的资源如何分配，西方通过早期的血腥的资本积累，今天以一种更文明的方式去抢夺资源，正如你结尾所提到的the evil is the same。我想不管是视频中的中国黑恶势力还是任何其他国家种族的黑恶势力，都是我们人类共同的敌人。love and peace
Great post
么么哒加油
this is cambodia, not myanmar, but yes
well said
关键枪支管制不严，如果他们没枪，而且你有几个身高至少一米八往上的壮汉朋友一起走，那些黑社会也是会忌惮你的。
It used to be such a beautiful place. I first visited in 2004, just when Cambodia got its first ATM machine. Back then, it was a sleepy fishing town with a charming, unspoiled atmosphere. In 2010, it was still laid-back, maintaining much of its original allure.
We went back in January 2020, hoping to relive some of those serene memories, but it had turned into a complete mess. The beaches were dirty, construction was everywhere, and the once-peaceful town was now overrun with hookers and gangsters. It was disheartening to see such a drastic transformation.
Adding to the dismay, I read about human trafficking rescue workers who have been imprisoned by the Cambodian government, reflecting a troubling shift in the country's governance. Back in 2004, the local people believed the government was genuinely trying to help Cambodians. Now, the corruption is worse than ever, undermining any hope for progress and tarnishing the memories of what was once a beautiful place.
么么哒
And Ko Rong Sanloem...😢❤
The biggest building in Sihanoukville was the Golden Sands Hotel 😅😅
More or less, your description is correct.
Maybe your hometown should be called a fishing village
Always enjoy watching your channel. Great
Cambodian people are so modest and kind. It’s a shame that they’ve no control over their own country
Indeed. 😢❤❤❤❤❤
12:00 - local Cambodians are not legally allowed to gamble. The casinos were built for foreign customers.
But i remember there was a cambodian guy who had won 100000 usd but they didnt pay him
@@bravespirityt71 lol damn shame
@@richardmartin473 that's how the mafia works 😂
Nah, they were built to launder money
@@bravespirityt71 even if he got money, he will get f*** by them later on, I dont even see it as my hometown now haha
my dad was training people in cambodia when nixon said we wasn't in cambodia during nam
Nixon knew Khmer boys were been trained,he was a foul lair.
Living vicariously through you cheers mate
Living precariously
More people on RUclips should be making content like this fella
respect bro. you risk your life to make this video!!
The real deal brother, you are better than any news.