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Amid fears of large-scale transmission of the new Covid-19 variant Omicron, border province authorities are looking at the possibility of implementing strict measures for crossing migrant workers, including implementing mandatory quarantines and PCR testing. These measures are the result of what was learnt dealing with the Delta variant, which appeared to enter the Kingdom via migrant workers. Cambodia’s neighbour Thailand reported that it has detected 514 cases of Omicron – with at least 147 designated as ‘local’ cases. Most worrying are 2 separate outbreaks from the district of Kap Choeng in Thailand’s Surin province, which directly borders Cambodia and is the site of the O’ Smach International checkpoint in Oddar Meanchey province. Thai authorities say that 3 Omicron cases have been found in the district and that at least 49 people are at high risk of infection, which will heighten fears of Omicron entering Cambodia via land border crossings. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50997363/border-provinces-tightening-up-as-omicron-hits-thailand/

The Apsara Authority has banned all sorts of live video-taking activities at Angkor Archeological Site without permission, citing that they are required to apply for permission with the Authority before conducting any live video. In a statement issued yesterday, the Apsara Authority stated the move is to avoid any errors happening in uncontrolled live videos with activities that could negatively impact the value of the ancient temples. “To avoid any unintended mistake or effect to the value of Khmer temples which are the priceless heritage from Khmer ancestors and the world heritage, national and foreign tourists and the public who intend to take live video about temples at the Angkor Archeological Site and other sites under the management of the Apsara Authority shall apply with mention of the purpose,” read the statement. Live video taken with the purpose of promoting tourism is not required to pay the fee of the application. If the purpose of live video is for business, the company is required to follow the procedures, the statement read. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50997364/permission-required-for-production-of-all-live-video-at-angkor-sites/

Phnom Penh Appeal Court yesterday heard the case of an American man who was last year convicted by Siem Reap Provincial Court over child prostitution and producing child pornography in 2019. Presiding Judge Pov Phousun identified the accused as John Patrick Reidy, 58, a tourist from Massachusetts. He said Reidy was sentenced on February 26 last year by Siem Reap Provincial Court to eight years in prison. The provincial court fined him $1,000 and ordered him to pay $5,000 in compensation to the complainant in the case, an underage boy. The accused was charged with “purchasing child prostitution and child pornography” under Articles 34 and 41 of the Cambodian Law on Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation. Judge Phousun said that Reidy was arrested on July 19, 2019 by the provincial anti-human trafficking and juvenile protection unit police in Siem Reap city in collaboration with APLE officers at his rental house in Svay Dangkum commune. He said the accused was arrested after he had allegedly persuaded four Cambodian to have sex with him at his rental house in exchange for some money. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50997454/appeal-court-hears-child-sex-case-involving-american/

Prime Minister Hun Sen said yesterday that he would be asking for a law on the age limit for future prime ministers after his retirement. He also expressed the hope that one of his grandchildren would become a future premier. Mr Hun Sen made the remarks while giving a speech during the Inauguration Ceremony of the New Administration Building of the Ministry of Défense. “When I leave my post as the prime minister, I will fulfill your [opposition people] wish asking me to set an age limit for the prime minister position,” he said. “What age limit do you want?” Mr Hun recalled that during a meal at a family reunion, he told a grandchild that 20 years later, he/she needs to compete with other politicians to become prime minister. To do so, he/she must study hard and obtain a doctorate degree abroad. After the government passed a law to bar anyone with dual nationality from holding the positions of Prime Minister, Senate president, National Assembly president and Constitutional Council president, former opposition leader Sam Rainsy called for a two-term limit for the post of Prime Minister. He also called for an age limit of 70 year for the position. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50997360/pm-to-seek-age-limit-for-the-position-after-his-retirement/

A Chinese man was arrested by police for the murder of another Chinese national and fleeing to the province to evade capture. The murder of the woman took place on the night of December 25, at a factory in Anlong Kong Thmey Village, Sangkat Prey Sar, Khan Dangkor, Phnom Penh. The case was investigated by the Criminal Police Force. Man was arrested at noon on December 28. He was found Romeas Hek District, Svay Rieng. The man was identified as Xiao Wen, a 34-year-old Chinese man holding a passport with the number EO1271955. The victim was identified as Ding Li, a 37-year-old Chinese female. Her passport number is EF5967276. Ding was a factory manager. The operation to capture Xiao was carried out under the command of the National Police Commissioner, Lt. Gen. Neth Savoeun, Deputy Commissioner for Planning, Lt. Gen. In Bora, and Director of the Criminal Police Department, Lt. Gen. Neng Chuor. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50997206/chinese-national-arrested-for-murder-of-chinese-woman/

After the suspension of the ‘Thailand Pass’ scheme, the number of flights between Bangkok and Phnom Penh has decreased about 20 percent due to the re-imposition of mandatory quarantine stays on arrival in Thailand. Sin Chansereyvutha, State Secretariat of Civil Aviation secretary of state, said yesterday that after Thailand’s quarantine-free travel pass was suspended amid concerns over the spread of the Omicron variant, the number of flights between two countries starting to decrease. He said that the adding of more flights between the two countries was discussed when both nations decided to open their borders last month, but that these discussions changed immediately due to the arrival of Omicron. He added that Thailand had re-imposed restrictions on entry, which presented a major challenge to tourists as they were now required to quarantine for seven days, even if fully vaccinated. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50996722/thai-quarantine-affects-some-flights-into-kingdom/

The Asian golden cat, a medium-sized wild cat that has been listed as near threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s red list since 2008, was spotted in Virachey National Park, said Chantha Nasak, programme officer at Fauna & Flora International (FFI) Cambodia. “It still exists in Virachey National Park because there are pictures from the camera traps that detected them,” he said on Monday. Nasak said any details or analysis of the pictures has not been done yet as there are many pictures captured from the camera traps that FFI in collaboration with the Environment Ministry deployed in different areas throughout Virachey National Park from February to July. “Besides the Asian golden cat, the camera traps captured many different species, including two other big cats such as the clouded leopard and the marbled cat, but no Indochine leopards or tigers,” he said. read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50996727/asian-golden-cat-spotted-in-virachey-national-park/

Gai had her eyes out for a new job, a change from working at a convenience store in Bangkok, when she scrolled past an alluring Facebook ad for a marketing position in Cambodia that promised $600 or more each month. About three or four days after answering voice messages from a broker on messaging app Line, Gai and her boyfriend, also on the job market, found themselves in a van heading toward the border province of Sa Kaeo, Thailand. Gai crossed the border into Poipet under the cover of rain and darkness, and it would be the rain again that would allow her to escape a network of online scam companies that is allegedly trafficking and detaining workers in Cambodia’s casino-packed bordertown. read more https://vodenglish.news/lured-with-the-promise-of-jobs-thai-nationals-detained-sold-to-scam-operations-in-cambodia/

November is usually a happy month for Cambodia’s fishermen. As the rainy season ends, the waters of the Mekong and its many tributaries should provide a bountiful supply of fish to feed their community and sell at market. But this year, as has become the trend, the nets were less full than the year before. “We should get a lot of fish this month, November and December, but we get so little fish this year,” said Y Ya, 57, a fisherman whose boat is moored to the shore in the capital city of Phnom Penh. “Fish are declining every year. I don’t know where they have gone,” he said. “Everyone’s complaining.” Ya, whose parents too are fishermen, lives with his wife on their 1-meter wide and about 2.5-meter long wooden fishing boat. He is among more than 60 million people across the region whose livelihoods rely on the Mekong, which flows from its upper reaches in China through Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. read more https://vodenglish.news/data-show-turbulence-decline-in-mekong-river-ecosystems/

A notorious bar in St172, long known for selling cannabis and cannabis ‘infused’ food, is reported to have been shut down by authorities. Sources reported a heavy police presence at ‘Dirty Old Sailors’ bar on st172 in central Phnom Penh on Sunday night and, today, the bar is reported to be shuttered, with an official notice affixed to the shutters saying ‘Temporary House-Room Closing by Phnom Penh Municipal Commission | Daun Penh District Police Office Anti-Drug Section – After inspecting the house-room above completely, we commission it temporarily closed.’ ‘Dirty Old Sailors’ was notorious in Phnom Penh for purveying items such as ‘Hot Sticky Toffee Pudding with infused syrup’, ‘Banana bread, Date, Chocolate Chip Cake (all infused) Real strong ????’ and other cannabis ‘edibles’. READ MORE https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50992651/notorious-expat-weed-bar-shut-down-in-phnom-penh/