Identity, shaped by history, conflict and cultural memory, takes centre stage at the “Ekarieach All Stars” art exhibition, now open at Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra, where Cambodian and international artists confront questions of belonging, loss and resilience — including reflections on Cambodian temples damaged during past Thai-Cambodian conflicts. Founded in 2023 to mark Cambodia’s 70th anniversary of independence, Ekarieach, meaning “independence” in Khmer, has quickly established itself as a respected platform for both emerging and established artists. After two themed editions — Independence (2023–2024) and Water (2024–2025) — the All Stars exhibition reunites selected finalists whose works have defined the…
Author: Raksmey Hong
Blood drips slowly from a vein at the bend of the arm, flowing through a clear tube before resting quietly inside a blood bag. There is no sound and no spectacle, yet inside that small bag lies what hospitals can never afford to lack: life. For doctors, blood is an emergency life-saving tool. For patients, it is a chance to survive once more. For voluntary donors, it is a quiet act of sacrifice that connects one human life to another without ever knowing each other’s names. Originally conceived as an initiative to mobilise employees to donate blood for frontline soldiers…
The “Together for the Nation” movement, led by First Lady Pich Chanmony, is mobilising students, communities, and institutions across Cambodia to grow and deliver vegetables to frontline soldiers, police and displaced families, highlighting a nationwide effort driven by the spirit of “Khmer helping Khmer”. In mid-December, Chanmony called on people from all walks of life to take part in the movement, stating that the harvested produce “is not ordinary vegetables, but the fruits of love and a spirit of national service”, aimed at supporting those stationed on the front lines and families displaced due to heightened tensions. “I sincerely thank…
The Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) has successfully cleared multiple unexploded 155mm artillery shells left from Thai shelling in Preah Vihear province, according to CMAC director-general Heng Ratana. In a January 19 social media post, Ratana said CMAC technical teams carried out clearance operations in the Srah Em area of Choam Khsant district, where the dangerous remnants of war were found scattered on the ground and buried at varying depths in the soil. “Some of the shells that failed to explode were lying on the surface, while others were buried deep underground,” he said, stressing that all such explosive remnants…
Cambodia’s only deep-sea port is entering a critical test phase as surging export volumes strain existing capacity, prompting the government and European business leaders to press for immediate operational reforms ahead of a major expansion scheduled for 2027. The issue took centre stage on January 16 during a high-level coordination meeting chaired by Sun Chanthol, first vice-chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), to review EuroCham Cambodia’s policy paper on improving efficiency and capacity at the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port (PAS). The meeting was held to conduct a comprehensive review and discussion of the key recommendations outlined in…
Thousands of the Cambodian children displaced by the recent Cambodia–Thailand border conflict are receiving emergency support to prevent malnutrition and learning loss, as schools and health services in affected areas remain disrupted. At the height of the clashes, more than 600,000 people were forced from their homes across seven provinces, including over 200,000 children and 300,000 women. Prolonged displacement has left families in temporary shelters with limited access to education, healthcare and adequate nutrition, placing young children and mothers at heightened risk. In response, UNICEF Cambodia has launched a one-year emergency initiative that focuses on safeguarding children’s health, education and…
The Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting mine action efforts in South Sudan. It hosted a high-level delegation from the National Mine Action Agency of South Sudan (NMAA South Sudan) on a working visit aimed at strengthening technical capacity and institutional cooperation. The delegation, led by NMAA South Sudan director-general Mike Rashid Fulla Obaldo, met with CMAC director-general Heng Ratana at CMAC headquarters in Phnom Penh on Monday, marking the start of the January 19 to 24 visit. According to Ratana, the visit reflects Cambodia’s continued role in sharing its globally recognised experience in humanitarian…
Cambodia is signalling a firm, compliance-first approach to workforce restructuring as businesses grapple with economic uncertainty and the accelerating impact of artificial intelligence (AI), with government officials and industry leaders warning against rushed or poorly managed job cuts. The message emerged from a high-level labour forum hosted by DFDL Cambodia in partnership with the European Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia (EuroCham), which brought together government representatives, legal and tax experts, HR leaders and technology specialists to debate how employers should navigate workforce transformation in 2026. As he opened the event, Kuoch Somean, secretary of state at the Ministry of Labour…
The displacement crisis triggered by last year’s border clashes with Thailand is entering a prolonged and uncertain phase, with more than 140,000 people still unable to return home safely, according to the latest humanitarian situation report. Data released by the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM) show that as of Jan 15, about 141,850 people remain displaced. They are living at 102 displacement sites and host communities nationwide. While this marks a significant reduction from the nearly 649,000 people displaced at the height of the crisis on Dec 27, humanitarian actors warn that the pace and sustainability of returns remain…
Cambodia has accused Thailand of breaching agreed ceasefire and de-escalation measures by deploying razor wire and military forces inside Cambodian territory, actions the government says amount to creating “new facts on the ground” that undermine peace efforts and obstruct civilians from returning to their homes. In a strongly worded January 17 statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said Thai forces disrupted security conditions in civilian areas, tightened military control and disrupted everyday economic activity, despite clear commitments under the December 27, 2025 Joint Statement of the Cambodia–Thailand General Border Committee (GBC). “Thai armed forces that alter the…