April 3, 2008
Source: The Buddhist Channel/Dallas Morning News
http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=61,6180,0,0,1,0
During the 1970s, Paul Thai, like most of his fellow countrymen, lived in terror during the reign of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia.
Despite the many hardships from those years, the Dallas police lieutenant said, one of his fondest childhood memories was celebrating Chaul Chnam Thmey, or the Cambodian new year.
For many years, Lt. Thai has worked in Dallas to re-create the celebration, which falls on April 13 this year.
"In Cambodia, the new year observance lasts three days and three nights," said Lt. Thai, one of the first Asian-Americans to serve in the Dallas Police Department.