If you’re diving into the world of modern Khmer ballads, “Suspect” (សង្ស័យ – Sangsai) by Reth Suzana is a must-listen. Released under the prominent Rasmey Hang Meas (RHM) label, this song has captured millions of hearts by perfectly articulating the gut-wrenching moment when intuition meets betrayal.
In this guide, we break down the lyrics, the cultural metaphors, and the story of the artist behind the hit.
Song Overview
- Artist: Reth Suzana (រ៉េត ស៊ូហ្សាណា)
- Title: Suspect (សង្ស័យ – )
- Label: Rasmey Hang Meas
សង្ស័យ Lyrics & Translation
Khmer Original
មើលបងដូចខុសពីមុន អូនព្រួយ…
សំដីនិយាយមួយៗ ទឹកមុខស្មើៗ
ចេះប្រើពាក្យធ្ងន់ៗ
លែងចេះយកអូនដើរ
សង្ស័យថាបងមើលឃើញគេ
ឧស្សាហ៍លើកទូរស័ព្ទ
ឧស្សាហ៍ឆាតហូរហែរ
មិនគិតច្រើនទេ តែឃើញនឹងភ្នែក
ដូចការសង្ស័យមែន
បងមានគេទើបប្លែក
បងចោលអូនទៅដេកឱប
នឹងម្នាក់នោះ
មិនបែកពីអូនទៅ
រួចហើយទៅយកគេចុះ
បងក៏មិនជាប់ឈ្មោះ
ក្រពើ ឬក៏ពស់
ល្បិចកលសាហាវ
សង្ស័យណាស់ ឈឺណាស់
ដឹងការពិតឈឺហើយ
ក៏ដល់ពេលអោយបងទៅគេ
ស៊ើបការបានសម្រេច
បែកគ្នាបានសម្រេច
ងើបដើរចេញឲ្យឆាប់
មិននៅនាំអព្ទ័កិត្តិយសទេ
English Translation
You seem different than before, and it worries me…
Every word you say is colder now, your face so blank.
You’ve started using harsh words,
and you no longer take me out.
I suspected you were seeing someone else.
You’re always on your phone,
constantly texting non-stop.
I tried not to overthink, but I saw it with my own eyes.
My suspicions were right.
You changed because you had someone new.
You left me behind
while you were holding her.
Why didn’t you break up with me first,
before choosing her?
Now you’re branded
a “crocodile” or a “snake.”
Your schemes were cruel.
The more I suspected, the more it hurt.
Now that the truth is clear,
it’s time for me to give you to her.
The investigation is complete.
Our breakup is final.
Get up and leave quickly—
I won’t stay and ruin my dignity.
Lyrical Analysis & Meaning
The “Croc” and the “Snake”
A pivotal moment in the song occurs when the narrator refers to her partner as a “croc” (ក្រពើ) or a “snake” (ពស់). In Cambodian culture, these animals symbolize deep-rooted deceit and ungratefulness. The lyrics argue that by cheating instead of breaking up first, the partner has forfeited his honor and earned these shameful titles.
From Victim to Victor
Unlike many heartbreak songs that focus solely on sadness, “Suspect” frames the discovery of the truth as an “achieved investigation”. By the final verse, the narrator isn’t begging for love; she is demanding he leave so she can preserve her own reputation and dignity.
About the Artist: Reth Suzana
Reth Suzana is one of Cambodia’s most prominent pop icons. Rising to fame as a young contestant on The Voice Cambodia, she quickly became a household name under the Rasmey Hang Meas production house. Known for her powerful vocals and ability to convey deep emotion, Suzana has become a leading figure in the “Modern Khmer Pop” movement, blending traditional storytelling with contemporary production.