It does not move fast. It drifts forward slowly, deliberately. The legend warns: "If you see the Keo Phnek Khernh Khmouch, do not run. It feeds on motion. If you run, it will appear in front of you. If you hide, it will find you. Only if you stand perfectly still and cover your own face will it pass."
"The diamond face is a classic hypnopompic hallucination," Dr. Heng explains. "When the brain transitions from sleep to wakefulness, the fusiform face area—the part of the brain that recognizes faces—can misfire. It projects a face onto geometry. A reflection of light on a wall becomes a face. A wet floor glistening becomes a face. The 'diamond' texture is likely a visual manifestation of anxiety—sharp, refractive, and impossible to look away from." Keo Phnek Khernh Khmouch
For the brave traveler or the serious folklorist, there is a "ghost pilgrimage" available. The villages of in Kampong Thom province offer guided night walks (for a donation to the local pagoda). The tour includes: It does not move fast
Witness accounts (usually gathered by Kru Khmer —traditional healing monks) describe the following: It feeds on motion