As Demographics in Cambodia Shift, Youth Seek Political Change

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Thy Sovantha, Cambodia’s youngest political star, is still seething.

A charismatic student, she rocketed to fame during the 2013 elections when she backed the opposition’s effort to unseat Cambodia’s authoritarian ruler. Her Facebook page drew hundreds of thousands of followers, making her, at 18, perhaps the most powerful voice of her generation.

The opposition nearly won the election, but protests over the vote led to a government crackdown. By November, the political battle had come down to a single standoff: The government threatened to arrest the opposition leader, Sam Rainsy, if he set foot in Cambodia again. Mr. Sam Rainsy, who was traveling abroad, vowed to return.

Ms. Thy Sovantha put out a call on YouTube and rallied hundreds of her supporters to meet him at the airport.

But at the last minute, he canceled his flight and fled to France.

By JULIA WALLACE

read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/18/world/asia/cambodia-hun-sen-sam-rainsy.html