oops, sorry for the long response below, i didn't realize how long it was when writing it in a small comment box until submitted. as for the later, question number two, buddhism is not the problem.

in reference to maslow's hierarchy, it's difficult for any society to strive for higher realization and to follow the thin line of morality when it's drowning in poverty. i know this sounds like an excuse and we always expect people to act morally no matter how dire the circumstances are. the truth is, or should i say the reality is, cambodia is no exception even when the majority of the population is buddhism. people will always be people and according to maslow people need to be able to fill their stomach, have heating and shelter, and some level of security first before they can achieve higher level of conscience.

why are cambodians so greedy and money minded? but who isn't? in fact, i think everyone is greedy in some ways. the world is driven by greed. most americans are greedy. the only difference between americans and cambodians is that most cambodians live in poverty and all they want to be able to escape it and to never become poor again. this perhaps reinforced the inhumane behaviors inside of people and to do whatever it takes to become rich.

i don't think religion is the contributing factor behind all the problems in cambodia, especially such peaceful religion as buddhism.

this may seem a bit redundant and unnecessary, i apologize if it turns out that way. in an effort to answer your question one and two, especially the former, i want to discuss about the globalization.

the closing of the 20th century was the end of post cold war. no more isolation and no more sidelines between the two super nation states. as we approach the new century we enter a new era, an era of integration, defining technologies, free trade, and the web. as thomas friedman puts it, a new era of globalization. in this new world, speed and innovation critical, competition fierce, people connected online, and those who are not prepared will be left in the dust. 

in the dust it certainly has been for the small country of cambodia with no real industry and specialization in global economy. the country was crippled by the civil war and now lead by an incompetent group of people with no real qualification. it cannot compete with the rest of the world who are far better prepared with more advanced political governance, educated populace, and more natural resources. for decades it has relied on foreign aids to maintain its government. with no trade specialty, the country so far has been feeding on crumbs of the international community with few garment factories and rubber plantation here and there.

so what else can cambodia offer? nothing at the moment, except for exploiting its people, culture and history. thus, the only source of income is tourism. horde of investors sees this as an opportunity and they come and buy all the properties they see fit for hotels or restaurants forcing the price of land in cambodia to skyrocket and sell it to foreigners making huge profits. as a result you have a huge division between the rich and the poor with no real middle class.

so you see, the rich people of cambodia are not the same rich people in other countries who have made their wealth the good old fashion way by working their butts off and created a business where the invisible hand has helped the economy and society some way. these nouvo-rich of cambodia only knows how to grab land and sell land. they are not sympathetic and compassionate who may one day become philanthropists like the gates foundation. in fact, cambodians nouvo-rich are quite the opposite, they perceive themselves as masters and the poor as slaves. they treat the people like dirt.

nouvo-rich of cambodia are not the same as the rest of the world. unfortunately, i don't think there will be any philanthropy foundation from the rich any time soon until they themselves can understand life is more than just about money.

cambodia has a long way to go and it's being pulled along by globalizaton. the development so far in cambodia is not made by the cpp government but actually by the world. unfortunately, it's not enough to keep cambodia from becoming one of the poorest countries in the world and one of the most corrupted nations. 

shall we do this in the forum as well?