Siem Reap shimmers with sequins and sparklers

If you thought most people went to Siem Reap to marvel at nearby Angkor Wat, you could be wrong.

A good number are making for the Linga Bar’s weekly drag show.

Last Saturday 17 young Khmer men, in elaborate headpieces and sparkling dresses, twirled and shimmered to the sounds of songs such as Marilyn Monroe’s “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend”, also performed by Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge.

For the grand finale performers launched into a rendition of “Happy Birthday” and a mini parade through the bar before presenting a sparkler-strewn cake to Martin Dishman, the owner of Linga Bar, which claims to be Cambodia’s first gay-owned bar.

The special Saturday night performance was to celebrate Linga’s sixth birthday,

Dishman talked to local media about the evolution of the show. “We were only going to do it for six weeks at the start, but it was such a success.

“Now I think it’s one of the best performances in the region, better than Bangkok even.”