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A former Banteay Meanchey provincial police officer has been arrested and sent to court after filing a complaint with the Anti-Corruption Unit accusing the provincial police chief of corruption and threatening behavior. Sret Sopheak, former chief of staff at the provincial police headquarters, alleged that police chief Sithi Loh had made threatening phone calls, used violence against police officers, and was corrupt. Sopheak filed his complaint to the ACU on March 18. The provincial police, in turn, issued a statement accusing the complainant of corruption. In a letter, the police force alleged that Sopheak had defrauded many people, took more than $111,800 to process paperwork, and had previously been brought before the National Police disciplinary council, leading to his termination in 2021. Sopheak then posted a video on Facebook to apologize. His accusations against the police chief were a misunderstanding, he said. “What I wrote, what I said really hurt the Banteay Meanchey provincial police commissioner Sithi Loh. So I publicly apologize,” he said in the video clip. Banteay Meanchey Provincial Court spokesperson Samrith Sokhon said on Friday that Sopheak had been arrested and was now being questioned in court. read more https://vodenglish.news/ex-police-officer-files-corruption-complaint-against-force-gets-arrested/

The 2nd major drugs bust announced today in Cambodia saw an almost unbelievable 600kg of illegal narcotics confiscated by police. The bust follows on from one announced earlier today which netted 100kg of Ketamine. As noted before, it seems as though drug production and transportation has reached epidemic levels in Cambodia – and while massive kudos must be given to the Anti-Drug Department for their sterling efforts in making these busts – action must be taken at a root level to drive out the evil scourge of illegal narcotics, which threatens to turn Cambodia into a clearing house for the world’s drugs trade. Once again the bust involved Taiwanese nationals who intended to transport drugs across the border and export them by sea to other countries. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501047994/cambodia-drugs-wave-2nd-major-phnom-penh-drugs-bust-announced-today-nets-an-incredible-600kg-of-drugs/

Khieu Kanahrith says journalists should not be treated as enemies. Cambodia’s information minister has told government press officers not to discriminate against members of the media, saying that they need to give comments on a timely basis, though independent reporters contend that the spokespeople refuse to respond when asked tough questions. Minister of Information Khieu Kanahrith told officials at a workshop on Tuesday to step up their communication with journalists and not treat them as enemies, but rather cooperate and provide comments so the press can report accurate information. He also said government spokespersons who work for state institutes must disseminate information regularly to avoid the publication of fake news. “Spokesmen must respond in a timely manner in order to disseminate the information widely to the public and people at the grassroots level,” said Khieu Kanahrith, who has served in his current position since July 2004. The veteran politician previous held the lower rank of secretary of state of the Information Ministry from 1994 to 2004, though it was widely acknowledged that he was the most powerful figure in the ministry. He also served as a member of parliament for Kandal and Kampong Cham provinces and Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh. Since September 2018, he has again served as an MP from Kampong Cham. Though Cambodia is a constitutional monarchy with a charter proclaiming it a liberal, multiparty democracy, the government of autocratic Prime Minister Hun Sen and his Cambodian People’s Party have weakened the independent media, along with political opponents and civil society groups, to remain in power. Media professionals, including former Radio Free Asia journalists Uon Chhin and Yeang Sothearin, faced false charges in the run-up to the country’s 2018 general election as part of a government crackdown. Independent news outlets and radio stations were banned, while journalists at other news organizations were purged. Independent journalists say that government spokespeople welcome only positive and easy questions from the reporters while ignoring tough questions. Freelancer Min Pov told RFA on Thursday that some government officials don’t share information with independent reporters and at times have resorted to suing the journalists. He said that it is difficult to get responses from spokespeople when he writes investigative pieces, especially when it involves something negative about the government of Hun Sen, who has ruled the country for more than 35 years. “So far, there are only a few government officials who talk to us,” Min Pov said. “When they do, it means that they are giving information to the public.” They ‘don’t take phone calls’ Nop Vy, founder and executive director of the Cambodian Journalists Alliance (Cambo-JA), the first independent membership-based network of journalists and media professionals in the country, told RFA on Thursday that government press officers are biased giving pro-government reporters easy access, while ignoring independent media. He urged government spokespeople to cooperate and provide information to all reporters to ensure that society is fully informed about their government. “So far, some ministry spokesmen have refused to talk or they don’t respond or don’t take phone calls,” Nop Vy said. “They are spokesmen, but they choose not to speak with reporters about sensitive information involving the government.” Ministry of Justice spokesman Chin Malin refuses to speak with reporters and only posts comments on his personal Facebook account. Hun Manet, the son of Hun Sen and a prime minister candidate in the 2023 general elections, said at a recent public gathering that he doesn’t speak with reporters over the phone and asked that they not waste minutes on their cell phones by trying to reach him. Khieu Sopheak and National Police spokesman Chhay Kim Khoeun have refused to talk to RFA reporters, saying that the U.S. government-funded news organization is biased. RFA closed its bureau in Cambodia in 2017 amid a crackdown on media and civil society. RFA could not reach Information Ministry spokesman Meas Sophorn for comment on Thursday, but government spokesman Phay Siphan said training is being provided to communications officials to ensure they cooperate with reporters in a timely fashion. The government also is drafting a law to promote open access to information, he said. “We are creating a mechanism,” Phay Siphan said. “So far, we have been doing press conferences from the commune level to the ministries and have been responding to matters that people want to know about.” Journalists in Cambodia also face harassment from other authorities, including police, while doing their jobs. The Cambodian Center for Independent Media and the Overseas Press Club of Cambodia in February condemned the intimidation and threat of arrest of a foreign journalist reporting on labor strike activities in Phnom Penh, saying it was the latest documented violation of press freedom in Cambodia. “When authorities arbitrarily use their power and infringe on the freedom of the press, society suffers from a lack of freely available news and information,” the groups said in a statement issued Feb. 10. “We call for an end to any such arbitrary abuse of power, as well as harassment and threats against our colleagues. We call for independent investigations into any such violations.” Paris-based media watchdog Reporters Without Borders ranked Cambodia 144 out of 180 countries in its 2021 World Press Freedom Index. Reported by RFA’s Khmer Service. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/government-spokespeople-03252022145123.html Copyright © 1998-2020, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.

As Asia continues to reopen, country by country, the latest to roll back restrictions is Cambodia which just opened to fully vaccinated international travelers without a quarantine or entry PCR/antigen test. As travelers commit to bucket list trips they’ve missed over the last two years, this country should be a top destination as the home of one of the world’s most iconic sights, the massive 12th century temple complex of Angkor Wat. And with tourism just starting to trickle back in, it’s possible to experience this landmark without navigating hordes of other visitors as has been the case in the past. So the time to go is now. The Explorations Company, which organizes high level, authentic custom trips throughout Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Polar Regions with a portion of the costs devoted to philanthropic endeavors, is currently putting together four-day excursions to Siem Reap, the location of the temples. Extensions are also available onward to other parts of the country. Among the key arrangements in the company’s plan: check-in at Amansara, Aman’s property on the outskirts of town that was built in the 1960’s to house guests of King Sihanouk. read more https://www.forbes.com/sites/lauriewerner/2022/03/25/its-the-perfect-time-to-go-to-cambodia-now/?sh=4b311ce02e37

Cambodian authorities and Thai police broke up a phone scam gang and made several arrests during raids in Preah Sihanouk province on Sunday. Preah Sihanouk police chief Major General Chuon Narin said yesterday that two raids resulted in the arrest of 31 Thai workers. The two locations raided by police were in Sihanoukville and one of them was in a casino. “Two locations were raided four days ago in cooperation with Thai police,” Maj Gen Narin said, noting that the 31 Thai workers were sent to Phnom Penh. The sting operation was spearheaded by Interior Ministry’s Internal security department director Major General Sam Vanvireak. According to Bangkok Post, police detained 61 people – 59 Thais and two Chinese during the raids on a phone scam gang in Sihanoukville. Twenty-eight of them were being treated as key suspects, five others lured into the operation were rescued while the rest were still being investigated, said Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas, director of the Police Cyber Taskforce (PCT), Bangkok Post said. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501047103/cambodian-and-thai-police-smash-phone-scam-ring/

The number of mobile payment users in Cambodia saw an increase by 42 percent to 13.6 million in 2021, according to the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC), explaining that COVID-19 situation has encouraged more people to use electronic payments. NBC’s figures show that in 2021, there were in total 13.6 million mobile payment users, up from 9.5 million in 2020. The mobile online payment transactions were 707.57 million in 2021, a year-on-year increase of 52.9 percent, of which 157.63 million transactions were in KHR. The total online payment transactions were amounted to $113.67 billion last year, up from $95.31 billion in 2020. FinTech companies opening up and the trend to use mobile payments due to pandemic are the main factors driving the growth in mobile payments, Ms Chea Serey, Assistant Governor and Director General of Central Banking of NBC said. “COVID-19 situation has encouraged more people to use mobile/electronic payments rather than cash,” she said. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501047230/69-mobile-payment-services-spearhead-cambodias-mobile-payment-transactions-to-113-67-billion/

Prime Minister Hun Sen said in the first two months of this year, Cambodia’s total exports saw a remarkable increase. At the inauguration ceremony of the National Road No. 21 in Kandal this morning, Mr Hun Sen said the exports from Cambodia in January and February this year rose by over 30 percent. For the Republic of Korea, the total Cambodian exports to the country during the said period increased by 33 percent, he underlined. At the same time, the Premier encouraged all stakeholders to boost trade and other economic activities to fuel the economic growth after the country’s reopening in all domains. Cambodia’s major markets were the European Union, the United States of America, Japan, China, Korea, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, India, New Zealand, and ASEAN. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501046398/pm-says-cambodias-exports-up-30-percent-in-first-two-months/

A team of five foreigners living in Cambodia used the fake website “canadiabank.com” to defraud a victim of tens of thousands of dollars at a time, the Appeal Court heard on Thursday. A morning session at the court heard a range of cases from drugs and robbery to fraud ­— all of which were delayed as court officials searched for the key to the courthouse. That was the explanation as presiding judge Nguon Ratana opened the session about 20 minutes after the scheduled 8 a.m. starting time, explaining officials had not immediately been able to find the key. Proceedings also hit a snag with a rush to locate interpreters and prisoners, some of whom were brought from prisons in Tbong Khmum and Pursat provinces. Court officials also could not find the lawyers for some cases, leaving defendants alone and prompting clerks and others to get on their phones to track down the missing participants. read more https://vodenglish.news/fraudsters-stole-money-using-fake-bank-website-court-told/

The Koh Kong Provincial administration hopes to settle the land dispute between the remaining 20% of the 1,300 families and Chinese Corporation Union Development Group by end of this month. Koh Kong deputy provincial governor Sok Sothy told Khmer Times yesterday that the provincial administration has been working hard to resolve this land issue that started in 2008. He added that thry have finally completed and sent their findings and recommendations to the district administration. “Some 80% of the families involved in the land dispute had taken the compensation. The remaining families will hopefully get theirs by end of this month,” he said, adding that the provincial administration had already called the remaining families for a discussion with the company concerned so that the matter can be resolved by end of this month. He said the government and the provincial administration have set a timeframe to end the dispute between the affected families and the company end of last year. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501046731/land-dispute-ends-between-chinese-company-and-families/

2 Russian men and a Ukrainian woman have been brought to trial over charges of the production, transportation and trafficking of more than 20 kg of drugs. The Judge of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, Mr. Seng Rithy, Chairman of the Council and Mr. Say Nora, Representative of the Prosecution, on March 22, 2022, decided to bring the accused to trial on the aforementioned charges The accused are EVGENY KARAS, male, 32 years old, Russian, DMITRIY KARAS, male, 30 years old, Russian, and BONDARBNKO KARYNA, female, 21 years old, Ukrainian. They are accused of illegally producing, transporting and trafficking drugs in Phnom Penh from 2017 to September 15, 2020 under Articles 42, 47 and 48 of the Law on Drug Control. . After the end of the hearing on the accused, the judge decided to set April 19, 2022 at 2 pm to announce the verdict. On September 21, 2020, the Internal Security Police Force of the Ministry of Interior cracked down on a large-scale case of illegal production, transportation and trafficking of drugs in Sangkat Choam Chao 2, Khan Por Senchey, Phnom Penh. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501046474/2-russians-and-a-ukrainian-in-court-for-trafficking-of-over-20kg-of-drugs/

PM Kishida visited Cambodia at the weekend to lobby for regional solutions to the South China Sea disputes. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited Cambodia at the weekend to lobby for regional solutions to the South China Sea disputes, potentially diluting Beijing’s influence in Phnom Penh. This was his first bilateral foreign trip since taking office in October 2021. Cambodia is the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) and has close relationship with both Japan and China. China claims “historical rights” to most of the sea but Chinese claims are rejected by neighboring countries including some ASEAN members. An international tribunal in 2016 also rejected the legal basis of China’s sweeping claims. “Although Cambodia and Japan are not claimant states in the South China Sea, these two countries pay important roles in mediating the South China Sea disputes,” said Kimkong Heng, visiting senior research fellow at the Cambodia Development Center (CDC). “This year Cambodia chairs ASEAN so the country is in a good position to be a mediator for regional issues and challenges such as the Myanmar crisis and the South China Sea issues,” Heng said. Last week, before Kishida arrived in Phnom Penh, two Japanese naval ships spent three days at Cambodia’s southern port city of Sihanoukville and conducted a joint exercise with the Royal Cambodian Navy. The Japanese crew also visited the Ream Naval Base where the U.S. alleges that Cambodia has granted exclusive utilization access to the Chinese military to part of the base. Cambodia has repeatedly denied the allegation. A spokesperson at the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh told RFA last week that Washington is still concerned about “the intended use of the naval facility.” “The U.S. Government has long expressed concerns that the Government of Cambodia has not been fully transparent about the intent, nature, and scope of the Ream project or the role the PRC (People’s Republic of China) military is playing in its construction,” said spokesperson Stephanie Arzate. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force making a port call at Sihanoukville, Cambodia on March 15, 2022. They were welcomed by Defense Minister Tea Banh. Credit: JMSDF Influencing China A joint statement issued after Prime Minister Kishida’s visit said that the leaders of Japan and Cambodia “reaffirmed the importance of sustaining peace, security, safety, freedom of navigation in and overflight above the South China Sea, as well as non-militarization and peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, including the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea.” Kishida on Tuesday tweeted that he confirmed with his counterpart “that any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo by force cannot be tolerated in any region of the world.” “We were also in agreement that precisely because of this situation it is imperative that we further promote efforts to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the prime minister said, referring to the concept initiated by the U.S. and its allies. Stephen Nagy, senior associate professor at the Department of Politics and International Studies, International Christian University in Tokyo, said that Japan prioritizes maintaining stability and a rules-based approach to governing the South China Sea as its sea lanes are critical arteries for the Japanese economy. Sovinda Po, a research fellow at the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace, said Japan has “a broader strategic interest” in areas surrounding the South China Sea, including the East China Sea, where it has a territorial dispute of its own with China. “The way in which ASEAN under Cambodia's chairmanship deals with China on the South China Sea issue will determine the way in which China will respond. There are some concerns that if ASEAN goes soft with China, then China will further expand beyond the South China Sea,” Po added. But Nagy said that Kishida will be challenged to get Cambodia to support Japan’s position. He said Cambodia’s close partnership with China continues to be strong and Phnom Penh’s relationship with Beijing is “not easily influenced.” During Cambodia’s last chairmanship of ASEAN in 2012, the 10-member bloc, which makes decisions by consensus, failed to issue a joint statement for the first time in its history, reportedly over Cambodian resistance to language about the South China Sea. A file photo showing a Cambodian Buddhist nun framed by Japan's flag and her national flag as she listens to Prime Minister Hun Sen during an inauguration ceremony of a road funded by Japan outside of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, March 13, 2018. Credit: AP Tokyo nevertheless also has some leverage in dealing with Phnom Penh, being the latter’s long-time ally and donor. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1953. During 1991-2017, Japan provided Cambodia with grants totalled 201.5 billion yen (US$1.68 billion), according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry. It also provided technical cooperation funds worth 86.3 billion yen (US$723 million) and a loan of 140.3 billion yen (US$1.17 billion) during the same period. Most recently, Japan donated 1.3 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine to Cambodia and provided a loan of 45 billion yen (over US$377 million) to help with the Kingdom’s fight against the pandemic. “Cambodia would always be willing to open up relations with Japan to get developmental aid, infrastructure and connectivity and diversify its relations in the region,” Nagy at ICU said. Analysts say Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has been ruling Cambodia since 1985, will be trying to maintain a tricky balance between a good relationship with Japan and not offending China. Heng said that for Japan it’s important to engage with Cambodia “to ensure that Japan’s strategic interests are considered in ASEAN meetings” regarding Southeast Asia and the wider Indo-Pacific. That’s likely to be viewed with suspicion in Beijing. Japan is also one of the four members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, alongside the U.S., Indian and Japan. The Quad, as it is better known, is widely seen as countering China’s weight in the region. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/japan-southchinasea-03232022143938.html Copyright © 1998-2020, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.

Prime Minister Hun Sen reiterated that Cambodia was voting internationally to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine even as Cambodia had been lobbied to abstain. “We have clarified our stance clearly,” Hun Sen said during a speech at a road inauguration. “We cannot abstain and we do not support any invasion from one country to another country — this is our absolute stance.” The issue had come up on Wednesday during a discussion with Foreign Affairs Minister Prak Sokhonn in relation to the 144th assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, currently being held in Indonesia. The union was having a similar vote to the U.N. General Assembly earlier this month approving a resolution demanding that Russia immediately cease its invasion of Ukraine. The war there has now continued there for almost a month, with thousands of casualties. Hun Sen said the Inter-Parliamentary Union was preparing to issue a similar statement, and had taken a vote during the morning. “There was a country who lobbied us to vote in abstention. We cannot do this,” Hun Sen said, without naming the country in his speech. read more https://vodenglish.news/hun-sen-we-do-not-support-any-invasion-from-one-country-to-another-country/

Cambodia is currently one of the most open and visitor-friendly countries in Southeast Asia following COVID-19 travel restrictions. Still, the country has not reinstated its pre-COVID-19 visa-on-arrival system, so it is necessary to arrange an online e-visa before you travel. Do I need a visa to visit Cambodia? The simple answer is yes: most nationalities need a visa to enter the Kingdom of Cambodia, including citizens of Australia, the European Union, the UK and the US. The main exceptions are citizens from the Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) neighbors who are granted visa-free access; these countries include Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam. Some other Asian nationalities, including Japan and South Korea, may also enter Cambodia without a visa in most circumstances. Citizens of Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and Sudan need to make advance arrangements for a Cambodian visa. A 1-month tourist visa costs US$30; easily extendable business visas cost US$35. Online tourist e-visas cost US$36, which includes a US$6 processing charge. read more https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/visa-requirements-for-cambodia

Minister of Interior Sar Kheng yesterday urged the National Police to ask Australia for help in destroying more than 300 tonnes of seized chemicals that can be used to manufacture synthetic drugs. Kheng said the chemicals were confiscated since January during raids throughout the Kingdom and need to be neutralised before they can be destroyed. He said that according to Cambodian police experts, these chemical substances could not be buried in the ground or dumped in canals because this would endanger public health and the environment. He noted that these substances would seep into the soil, affecting crops, the environment and human life. Kheng said that Australia has the expertise to safely neutralise the chemicals. General Meas Vyrith, Secretary-general of the Secretariat of National Authority for Combating Drugs CNACD) said yesterday that the 300 tonnes of chemicals were collected and brought to Phnom Penh from warehouses in the provinces where they were kept after being seized. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501045911/australia-asked-to-help-safely-neutralise-seized-drug-producing-chemicals/

Cambodians staying along the Cambodia-Vietnam border have been told not to lease their land for cultivation to Vietnamese citizens. In giving this directive yesterday, Interior Minister Sar Kheng said that some Cambodians are lazy to farm their land and lease them to Vietnamese so that they can collect rentals. He added their action could lead to land dispute issues along the border and this should be prevented at all costs. “We must prevent border disputes and for this provincial authorities and relevant officials and institutions must look into it and prevent Cambodians from leasing their land to Vietnamese,” said Kheng, adding that the law clearly states that they cannot lease or rent their lands to foreign citizens. “These people have been cultivating their land for a long time. Just because they are lazy to cultivate, they lease and collect rentals from Vietnamese. This is a problem that needs to be stopped. It is also a matter of territorial integrity,” said Kheng. Royal Academy of Cambodia president Sok Touch said yesterday that he took a walk along the Cambodia-Vietnam border in the provinces neighbouring Vietnam and people cannot lease land within a kilometre from the border. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501045915/cambodians-at-border-told-to-stop-leasing-land-to-vietnamese/

Cambodia’s urbanised population is expected to rise to 36 percent by 2050, according to the World Bank. According to the bank’s estimates, “Cambodia’s rate of urbanisation is lower than what can be expected for its GDP”. The figures for January 2021 from Data Portal showed that Cambodia’s urbanised population sits at 24.5 percent, compared with globally urbanised population of 4.35 billion people, or 56 percent. For greater context, countries with similar levels of GDP to Cambodia, such as Bangladesh and Kyrgyzstan, have an urbanisation rate closer to 35 per cent. The journal, What Drives Urbanisation in Modern Cambodia? Some Counter-Intuitive Findings is authored by Partha Gangopadhyay, Siddharth Jain and Agung Suwandaru. Their analysis unveils some fascinating characteristics of Foreign Direct Investment and its impact on Cambodia’s urbanisation. They note that in the short-run, “If FDI increases by 1 percent, urbanisation increases by 0.36 percent in Cambodia. If FDI decreases by 1 percent, urbanisation still increases by 0.34 percent.” read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501045575/over-one-third-of-cambodias-population-to-be-urbanised-by-2050-world-bank/

The prime ministers of Cambodia and Japan have urged the Myanmar junta to comply with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) five-point consensus, and pave the way for ASEAN members and development partners to distribute much-needed humanitarian aid to the Myanmar people. The call for the junta to abide by the five-point consensus was made on Sunday during a state visit to Cambodia by Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Japan’s premier was in Cambodia to strengthen bilateral ties and to discuss economic and security cooperation, with the crises in Myanmar and Ukraine high on the agenda. Myanmar has been in social and political turmoil since the military’s coup in February last year. Last April, coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing agreed a five-point consensus with ASEAN leaders to end the crisis, including the immediate cessation of violence in the country. So far, the regime has failed to honor the plan. read more https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/cambodia-japan-leaders-urge-myanmar-junta-to-honor-asean-peace-plan.html

Detained women say they were assaulted by authorities but that they remain defiant. Authorities in Phnom Penh again rounded up more than 100 striking NagaWorld Casino workers Tuesday, in the latest in a series of brutal mass arrests since the strike started more than three months ago. Hundreds of security forces violently pushed about 140 striking workers onto 140 buses as they attempted to demonstrate near the casino to demand it reinstate laid-off workers and recognize their union. “The authorities rushed in with anger,” An SreyPe, who was among the protesters, told RFA’s Khmer Service. “They assaulted and cursed the women among us, but our demands continue to be the same. We will protest until we have a solution.” An SreyPe said she was injured when the authorities pushed her against the bus and her leg was caught in the door. They also sexually assaulted her in the process, she said, but did not elaborate. Another protester said that the authorities used excessive force and confirmed they were specifically targeting women. “Their punches are not meant to prevent a protest. They intended to hurt us,” said Srey No. Authorities hit her in the face during the crackdown and she suffered black eyes. “I am sad. We are only fighting for our livelihoods.” Thousands of NagaWorld workers walked off their jobs in mid-December, demanding higher wages and the reinstatement of eight jailed union leaders, three other jailed workers and 365 others they say were unjustly fired from the hotel and casino, which is owned by a Hong Kong-based company believed to have connections to family members of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. Cambodian authorities have called the strike “illegal” and alleged that it is supported by foreign donors as a plot to topple the government. But a series of mass arrests in recent weeks have been attributed to alleged violations of pandemic health regulations in Cambodia’s capital. Activists said the charges were trumped up to break up the strike. The eight union leaders have since been released on bail but still face charges. Authorities on Tuesday forced the 140 workers into buses around 2 p.m. and drove them around Cambodia’s capital, preventing them from leaving the buses. The workers were finally released around 6 p.m. on the outskirts of the city. In previous arrests, the strikers were taken to quarantine facilities in Phnom Penh or its suburbs. RFA was unable to reach Phnom Penh police spokesman San Sok Seiha for comment Tuesday. The workers are continuing to protest because there has been no solution, Am Sam Ath of the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights told RFA. “Our concern is that because there is no solution, the workers will continue their protest and more arrests will be made,” he said. The union and the casino will meet Wednesday for talks. The Ministry of Labor urged parties to file complaints to the court if there is no solution. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Eugene Whong. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/nagaworld-03222022173518.html Copyright © 1998-2020, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.

A video report alleging a Battambang timber factory was illegally processing luxury wood has landed a local journalist in court. Lim Phally, a reporter for Los Seng News, said he had asked for a delay for court questioning that was scheduled today. He was sued after a livestream report from January 16 about a local businessman he claims was trafficking timber, he said. “We saw him actively transporting timber in and out of Battambang every day. When our reporters went to cover it, he complained against us, accusing us of defamation and disseminating [false] information — even though I have documents, videos and photos of him carrying wood.” The January 16 video shows Phally going to video the businessman’s wood processing factory and commenting that luxury wood was found in the factory, and that it was illegal, calling for an investigation. “This machine is legal only for local wood,” he says in the video, claiming the luxury wood was imported. Battambang provincial forestry department director Chhim Vachira said the factory was licensed and had been inspected. read more https://vodenglish.news/journalist-taken-to-court-over-report-on-illegal-timber-factory/

Prime Minister Hun Sen said yesterday there are no plans to evacuate 23 Cambodian families living in Ukraine in a bid to show solidarity with that country’s government and people. He recalled a similar situation when the government did not repatriate Cambodian students when China was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. “Even though there are 23 Cambodian families in Ukraine, I have not ordered any of our people there to flee from Ukraine. “If that is the way the people of Ukraine are living, our people should too,” he said at the inauguration ceremony of the Cambodia-China Friendship Hospital Preah Kossomak yesterday. “We do not want to evacuate Cambodians who live on Ukraine land and work there, but want to flee when there is a problem. Fleeing is not the right thing to do ,” Mr Hun Sen said. He recalled that he had to apologise to the Chinese president on behalf of some Cambodian students who fled China when the country was plagued by Covid-19. Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Chum Sounry could not be reached for comment yesterday. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501045315/no-plans-to-evacuate-23-cambodian-families-in-ukraine/

All foreigners who have overstayed in Cambodia have been advised to get in touch with their respective embassies to re-issue them with a new passport so that they can return to their homeland. General Department of Immigration spokesman General Keo Vannthan said yesterday that all foreigners who overstay in Cambodia are considered illegals and if they are caught by the authorities, then the embassy concerned will be notified of their need to leave the country. “We have had many such cases of foreigners who overstayed here in the past and their respective embassies had helped to deport them,” he said. Gen Vannthan cited a case where a German man overstayed and they got in touch with the German Embassy to help issue a new passport and subsequently the man went back to Germany. “If foreigners overstay, then they must face the consequences of the immigration law,” he added. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501045320/overstayed-foreigners-told-to-contact-embassies-or-face-immigration-law/

The archeological team of the Angkor International Centre of research and documentation of APSARA National Authority continues to study and completes the excavation of the site of the ceramic kilns at Dei Chhnang Gate of Angkor Thom, according to a news release of APSARA National Authority on March 21. Tin Tina, Deputy Director of the Angkor International Centre of research and documentation, said that in late 2019, his team excavated on an ancient mound called Tuol Trapeang Bos to confirm if that mound was an ancient ceramic kiln. Through the excavation results, the team found the structure of the low-temperature kiln, which was used for ceramic production such as pots, water jars, and tiles. “According to the research results, which is an important database that can confirm that there were ceramic kilns on the dam in the northwest corner of Dei Chhnang Gate of Angkor Thom, that is why the working team of the Angkor International Centre of research and documentation continues to collect data on pottery clusters and post-analysis of GPS at the site of the ceramic kilns of Dei Chhnang Gate of Angkor Thom to determine the scope of the site, determine the number of mounds and divide the group of the mounds. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501045461/apsara-national-authority-complete-excavation-of-ceramic-kiln-site-at-dei-chhnang-gate-of-angkor-thom/

Cambodia is flourishing in the realm of tourism. The southern Asian country is well-known for its beautiful landscape, rich history, and tranquil religious sites. Compared to others, Cambodia is an affordable country for those who are planning a trip abroad. If you are up for adventure in Cambodia, then here are the top five places of the beautiful location to add to your checklist. PRASAT PREAH VIHEAR This Hindu temple is built to honor Lord Shiva, and it is well known for its spectacular location i.e. at the top of the Dangrek Mountains. The temple is snug against the border of Thailand, and both the nations claim it, but in the year 2013, the International Court of Justice ruled it in the favor of Cambodia. KOH RONG SAMLOEM Koh Rong Samloem is a beautiful island in Sihanoukville, Cambodia where you can find serenity. The best part of the island is that it is not overcrowded so you can have a relaxing time there. As far as Cambodian beaches are concerned they are tropical bliss and offer the best view of the sunset. In Koh Rong Samloem, you can find many huts resorts to rest, and you can even try water activities such as scuba diving. https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501045353/news18-com-lists-top-5-places-to-add-to-your-checklist-while-visiting-cambodia/

The National Election Committee has delisted 11 candidates for the June local election from two opposition parties, allegedly because they were illiterate. The NEC released a statement on March 18 announcing the disqualification of 11 candidates — seven from the Candlelight Party and four from the Khmer Will Party. According to the statement, one Candlelight party candidate was disqualified from Phnom Penh’s Phsar Depot II commune and six from Koh Kong’s Chumnap commune in Thma Baing district. The Khmer Will Party lost four candidates from the capital’s Wat Phnom commune. The NEC said the disqualifications were a response to complaints filed by three individuals — Um Chandara, Seang Veasna and Keo Bunthoeun — who claimed that 11 people could not read and write Khmer. VOD could not contact the three people. According to the commune election law, candidates have to be Cambodian nationals by birth, be at least 25 years old, read and write Khmer, and be registered to vote. read more https://vodenglish.news/election-body-disqualifies-11-small-party-candidates/

Japan calls for fair elections in Cambodia after years of crackdowns Prime Minister Kishida pledges to promote democracy as a Cambodian opposition party reports ongoing harassment. The government of Japan has urged Cambodia to hold fair and free elections following five years of brutal crackdowns on political opponents and parties that dare challenge Prime Minister Hun Sen’s ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP). The calls for transparency and fair election procedures came during a state visit to Phnom Penh by Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Sunday. “Prime Minister Kishida expressed his intention to support the promotion of democracy and the rule of law,” Phnom Penh and Tokyo said in a joint statement after Kishida met with Hun Sen. The statement said the two discussed holding elections that reflect the “diverse voices from Cambodian people.” “Samdech Techo Prime Minister [Hun Sen] appreciated Japan's support in this field and expressed his intention to make further efforts to embed the outcomes of these support into the Cambodian society,” the statement said. Cambodians will head to the polls on June 5 for local commune elections. Over the past five years, Hun Sen’s government has used state power to try to silence all relevant political opposition. The Supreme Court banned the main opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) in November 2017 for its supposed role in an alleged plot to overthrow the government, arresting key figures as sending others fleeing into exile. This was the beginning of a wider crackdown by Hun Sen on the political opposition, NGOs and independent media outlets that paved the way for the CPP to win all 125 seats in the country’s July 2018 general election. Though the joint Japan-Cambodia statement appeared to show that Hun Sen was receptive to more fair election procedures, officials in his party over the past year have been targeting the Candlelight Party, a reconstituted opposition party whose members say is increasingly seen as a threat to the status quo. At least three Candlelight Party activists have been arrested, and many more have been prevented from registering to compete as candidates in the upcoming election. To date, the party has registered 1,652 candidates across the country but has not decided on whether it will participate in the election. RFA reported last week that the Candlelight Party had met with the Ministry of Interior to request that authorities prevent intimidation and harassment of its members. The U.S Embassy in Phnom Penh, responding to media inquiries on the upcoming election, expressed concern over “eroding human rights and the weakening of democratic institutions in Cambodia. “As a friend to the Kingdom, we support the Cambodian people and their constitutional right to democracy and fundamental freedoms. We encourage an electoral process that is inclusive of all political stakeholders and in which all Cambodians can enjoy their political rights,” said Stephanie Arzate, the embassy’s spokesperson. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/japan-03212022200514.html Copyright © 1998-2020, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036.