In a generous act of international collaboration, the National Paediatric Hospital is teaming up with ophthalmologists from Hunan Hospital in China to provide life-changing eye surgeries to children for two weeks in September. “We announce the collaboration with a team of ophthalmologists from Hunan Hospital in China that will offer strabismus and drooping eyelid surgery,” the National Paediatric Hospital announced on their Facebook page. The post detailed: “The surgeries will be conducted free of charge for children from September 15-30. “To facilitate the scheduling of these surgeries, we kindly request that patients be registered in advance”. Keo Vanna, vice deputy…
Author: Raksmey Hong
Nakahara Yumi, a youthful Japanese expatriate residing in Phnom Penh, sits at a table clutching pen and paper – and a picture of Cambodian rapper Vann Da. She’s intent on mastering the rapid-fire lyrics of the song Whose Fault Is It?, a feat made challenging by her heavily accented Khmer. But this, instead of deterring her, only emphasises Yumi’s affection for the Cambodian language and the artists who use it, despite being a relative newcomer to the country. Yumi’s passionate TikTok rendition has since captivated the virtual world, amassing an impressive 224,500 hearts and thousands of interactions from a broad…
Cambodia and Indonesia have found a special connection, with recent tourism statistics revealing that visitors from the ASEAN’s largest economy have risen to seventh place among the top 10 tourists to Cambodia, marking a near threefold increase over the past year. Thong Rathasak, secretary of state at the Ministry of Tourism, highlighted the enormous growth. “Cambodia is proud to announce that the number of international tourist arrivals in Cambodia has surged by an impressive 409 per cent in the first half of 2023,” he said. Rathasak added during the recent Indonesia Trade and Tourism Promotion event, among the top 10…
Deep in the heart of Cambodia’s rich history lies an extraordinary bond between its people and the majestic elephants that once roamed widely across its lands. For centuries, these gentle giants held a sacred place in Cambodian culture, symbolising strength, wisdom, and resilience. To honour this valued connection and secure a sustainable future for these remarkable creatures, the Airavata Elephant Foundation will play host to the ‘5th Charity Gala’ at Phnom Penh’s Sun and Moon Hotel on August 18, with the goal of raising funds for the welfare of the four elephants under its care. “The gala aims to support…
From an early age, Krouch Samban dedicated his free time to studying, practicing, and performing yike alongside his father and other troupe members. In 2012 at the age of 15, he began showcasing his remarkable abilities in the traditional Khmer theatre form. As troupe members aged and young performer became a Buddhist monk, the yike troupe of Nipech commune disbanded, leaving only a treasure trove of memories. Venerable Samban breathed new life into the theatre, founding the Traditional Yike Group of Kampong Svay district – or Yike Wat Khtom – to honour the legacy of his father and grandfather, both…
The 14th Indonesia Trade & Tourism Promotion (ITTP 2023) opened its doors today at Koh Pich, Phnom Penh. The event was hosted by the Indonesian embassy and presided over by Chhuon Dara, Minister Delegates attached to the Prime Minister and secretary of state of the Ministry of Commerce, Thong Rathasak, secretary of state of the Ministry of Tourism, and Tean Samnang, Cambodian ambassador to Indonesia. With the theme “Strengthen Cooperation Through Collaboration,” ITTP 2023 aims to enhance bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Cambodia, particularly in the realms of trade, tourism, higher education, art and culture. Lauti Nia Astri, charge d’affaires…
In an exciting move, the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications has announced that preparations are underway for the introduction of the Khmer version of ChatGPT, a sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) tool. The digital committee at the ministry is closely involved in examining the system, holding detailed conversations with the developers to ensure that the unique aspects of the Khmer language are accurately represented and catered for. As anticipation builds among users, one local-born university student, Pang Voreh Uddom, has undertaken the significant task of addressing the digital language divide in his home country. Studying Computer Science at Swinburne University in…
Resuming after a three-year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 14th Indonesian Trade and Tourism Promotion (ITTP 2023) has made a triumphant return to Phnom Penh, pledging to “Strengthen Cooperation through Collaboration”. The event heralds a refreshing comeback, promising to build a resilient and robust network that expands across multiple sectors. Hosted annually by the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh, the ITTP aims to bolster bilateral ties that transcend governmental levels, reaching out to the people. A symbol of cooperation, the event represents a shared vision for a future of robust interaction and growth. “We first launched this initiative…
In a delightful turn of events, the 12th Chaktomuk Short Film Festival (CSFF) 2023 has decided to extend its final curtain call. Instead of wrapping up on July 15, the festival will roll its end credits on August 15, proffering an additional month of opportunity for creators to present their masterpieces. The CSFF has truly become a buffet of short film varieties, providing a feast for the eyes. Sum Sithen, president of the CSFF, affirms that the festival welcomes an extensive range of short films, “From gripping fiction to insightful documentaries, from pulsating music videos to innovative animations, we accommodate…
Nineteen Cambodian students were honoured with prestigious scholarships from Indonesia in a ceremony held at the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh on July 26. The recipients, awarded with Developing Countries Partnership (KNB), Darmasiswa, and Padang State University (UNP) scholarships, will pursue non-degree and bachelor to doctoral degrees in various disciplines a several renowned Indonesian universities. “Education cooperation is one of the focuses of bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Cambodia,” said Lauti Nia Astri, chargé d’affaires ad interim of the embassy. She highlighted its role in creating deeper, broader, and long-term cooperation in various fields, noting that educational collaboration plays a…