Khmer Smile refers to this mystic grin of King Jayavarman VII who ruled Cambodia in the 12th Century. During his reign, the Khmers built the famous Bayon Temple in Angkor Thom. As a dedicated follower of Mahayana Buddhism and as part of Khmer culture, it is generally believed this portrait is a combinatiion of Boddhisattva Avalokitesvara and King Jayavarman VII himself. To show his omnipresence and omnipotence, his face was carved in facets of all the towers in the Bayon Temple such that his subjects can see his compassionate look and enlightened smile.

Unlike King Jayavarman VII, the eyes of this young Cambodian woman convey sorrow. They speak volume about the tragic past when half of the population evaporated during the rule of Khmer Rouge. On the other hand, just like the light shining through the darkened ruin where she sat, her bitter smile seems to show a glimpse of hope that tourism is bringing to this wounded country.

高棉微笑是描述大吳哥城巴戎廟內的這石像.一般相信是於十二世紀統冶高棉的皇帝Jayavarman VII的肖像. 在巴戎廟內的每一角,祇要抬頭望天,都會看見這慈祥的眼神和如得道般的微笑望著你. 隨著吳哥皇朝的衰落和近代柬浦寨內戰, 這年輕的柬浦寨婦人的眼內找不到昔日Jayavarman VII的祥和. 無言的眼神彷彿告訢著悲慘的赤柬年代. 但正如透過她端坐黑暗廢墟內的陽光, 她一絲苦澀的笑容彷彿帶出旅游業發展對這個受重創的國家帶來的新希望......