Preah Vihear Forests Face Corruption Claims

Kiripost

Indigenous communities in Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province are demanding deeper investigations into alleged corruption behind illegal logging in protected forests, warning that arrests alone will not stem the destruction.

Authorities recently detained five suspects accused of transporting timber from Chhaeb‑Preah Roka and Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuaries. Twenty large trees, including teak, were found felled, with tractors and chainsaws seized. Yet activists say the problem runs far deeper, pointing to claims that timber traders enjoy protection from officials and even military figures.

Community patrols report hearing chainsaws and encountering loggers who openly claim to have paid authorities for safe passage. Kuy villagers say resin trees, vital to local livelihoods, have been sold off in bulk, with more than 4,000 cut down last year in Preah Roka.

“Protecting forests is only possible without protecting corruption,” activist Ma Chettra warned, urging authorities to investigate alleged networks of bribery.

Officials have acknowledged the concerns. Meas Nhim, Deputy Director of Preah Vihear’s Department of Environment, confirmed an inquiry into a military official’s alleged involvement, stressing that anyone found guilty will face the law.

The scale of forest loss is stark. Global Forest Watch data shows Chhaeb‑Preah Roka has lost 38,000 hectares of tree cover since 2001, while Prey Lang shed more than 9,500 hectares in 2023 alone. Nationwide, Cambodia has lost 2.83 million hectares of forest over two decades, one of the steepest declines in Southeast Asia.

For communities in Preah Vihear, the fight is about more than trees. It is about survival, culture and trust in the rule of law — and whether corruption will continue to undermine the country’s protected forests.

-2026-05-15