The Year of the Rat has not yet reared its head, and already many are saying that it won’t be an astrological rodent that dictates events in the coming days, but rather the mighty influence of those buying, selling and developing land.
According to the Chinese lunar calendar, the Year of the Rat—which kicks off Thursday—is the first in the lunar cycle and appropriately brings with it the strong qualities associated with pioneers and leaders.
A hard-working sign, the rat will usher in generally favorable and prosperous times that, according to at least one fortuneteller near Wat Phnom, will be more grounded than those of the exiting Year of the Golden Pig.
“The golden pig was lucky, but the rat brings true happiness,” Hak Vongsa said, adding that success during the Year of the Rat will be the result of effort and therefore well earned and reliable.
“What we eat, we get,” he said.
But every sign has its good and bad elements, and what card readers are most interested in telling the steady stream of people seeking their Chinese New Year fortunes is that this year will not be without its rumblings of change.
Fortuneteller Mak Sreyno, 61, said that while the rat is a generally positive sign, she is worried it won’t be strong enough to safeguard the fate of her business amid rumors the municipality wants to develop the area around Wat Phnom.
“I heard the municipality wants to make this area into a garden,” she said, adding that a statement from the National Assembly ensured fortunetellers they would be able to stay put through the July elections.
“I don’t know where I would go after that,” she said.
“Under the Wat Phnom area, there is gold,” said Heang Thyda, 28, another card reader.
“This place will become something else,” she said, predicting a shift around the time of Pchum Ben in late September.
Hak Vongsa, who has been telling fortunes since 1997, said he isn’t worried because the move is part of a grander plan the government has to better the country-a plan that he noted began last year, during the Year of the Golden Pig, which was widely considered a good time to invest.
“The government will unite toward development this year,” Hak Vongsa said, adding that the trend should also ensure there will be a free and fair election.
“There are small problems…like this eviction, but we follow the government’s plan,” he said, adding that if they are forced to move he plans to set up shop at a nearby pagoda.
About a kilometer south of Wat Phnom, the bustling commercial area of Phsar Thmei-the historic center of Phnom Penh’s Chinese community-is awash with the red paper lanterns and golden peonies that traditionally accompany Chinese New Year.
Rather than state developers, small business owners here said it is the everyday buyers and sellers of land that will hold more sway over the tides than the moon this lunar year.
Sin Long, 57 and of Chinese descent, owns Tito Stones and Jewelry, which has Chinese and Khmer lettering on its sign across from Phsar Thmei.
He said Monday that a significant portion of city dwellers have recently come into money through land sales and that their wealth is responsible for his business success.
“Phnom Penh residents become richer because of land. Even my family,” he said, adding that he could not estimate how much money the shop rakes in on a daily basis but the land he owns in Phnom Penh is worth about $100,000.
“Overall, I think the Year of the Rat will be good, but I have no idea about compared to the golden pig. I just always make money,” he said.
He said he is of the first generation in his family not to speak Chinese, but that he is looking forward to closing shop in honor of his ancestors this week and heading to Siem Reap province where he will eat traditional mixed vegetable soup with his family.
Suk Palanet, 38, has been selling flowers at Phsar Thmei since 1992 and, for the new year, her shop is flooded with orange trees of all sizes. The largest, at well over 160 cm, costs $110.
She said business is better than ever, but she doubts it’s because of the lunar sign.
“To me, it has nothing to do with the Year of the Rat. Is has to do with land and the general economy,” she said, adding that whether people in Phnom Penh have money depends on whether or not they have recently sold land.
“It might as well be called the ‘Year of the Land Issues,’” she said.
