Three honey-producing communities in Kratie, Stung Treng and Preah Vihear provinces received certificates of compliance for implementing Participatory Guarantee Systems coordinated by the Non-Timber Forest Products-Exchange Programme Cambodia (NTFP-EP). The November 29 certification ceremony was held in Phnom Penh, with the participation of the president of NTFP-EP Cambodia, representatives of Nature Wild, the Cambodia Federation for Bee Conservation and Community-based Wild Honey Enterprise, as well as the bee collection committees of Dang Phlit village, Krom village and Teuk Khmao temple. Sim Bunthoeun, NTFP-EP’s country programme manager, said the issuance of the certificates was in recognition of adherence to the conditions…
Author: Raksmey Hong
Seab Phanith, a young woman from Kampong Chhnang province, is dressed in a Cambodian demining force uniform. With one hand holding a dog leash, she shouts commands at the four-legged mine detector, telling the dog to walk, sit and sniff for mines with a firmness to her tone. In early August, the 21-year-old Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) official was photographed raising a large Cambodian flag to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of CMAC. “At first I wanted to join the police or the army, but for this CMAC unit… I understand that this field is also like…
Born to parents who had just fled the killing fields of the Khmer Rouge, and destined to see combat in the cities of modern Iraq, it was somehow fitting that Caylee So discovered film as an outlet for processing the experiences of not just herself, but her family. She began producing short films before moving on to features. Her latest directorial work, The Harvest, will be released next year. The producers of The Harvest were looking for a director who was Southeast Asian to tell the story of a Hmong American family, according to So. “It was a drama, and…
For almost 10 years now, Thun Chenda has been caring for her mother who became paralysed. Her troubles began with the weakening of one arm and one leg and having difficulties in speaking. From week to week, month to month, her 75-year-old mother’s condition has worsened from there. Now she cannot sit up on her own as her hand, leg and body is stiff, and she is especially having difficulty chewing food. Before feeding her mother, Chenda needs to grind rice mixed with soup and lift her into a sitting position to eat, giving her time to chew each bite…
Why would a couple from as far away as London and Barcelona choose to produce high end spirits right here in Phnom Penh? The simple truth is the unique flavours of the local ingredients. Marco Julia Eggert and Tania Unsworth founded Seekers Spirits at the end of 2018, following a considerable period of planning – and input from talented gin maker, Alfie Amayo. “We came to Cambodia nearly 10 years ago and fell in love with the rich flavours and warm culture of the Kingdom. We have some of the most amazing botanicals available to us in this region that…
In one of the most life changing events of his 68 years, French cycling enthusiast Paul Dubrule embarked on a bicycle journey of 15,272km from Fontainebleau in France to Siem Reap, in February 2002. Eight months later, armed with a strong background in hospitality and pure determination, he founded the Ecole d’Hotellerie et de Tourisme Paul Dubrule (EHL). Today, the Siem Reap-based organisation marks more than 20 years of its mission to grow the hospitality sector in Cambodia. About 4,000 graduates have passed through the school. “In our 20 years of skills development, we have established fruitful collaborations with numerous…
Pailin longan wine has come a long way since its owner’s first attempts to produce the wine in 2008. It was only in 2018 that Vuoch Thuch sold some farmland – and even his car – to finance his first run of 2,000 bottles, produced in 20 litre plastic containers. At the time, his neighbours thought he was crazy, and even suggested his wife divorce him. Thuch had the last laugh when his initial run sold out at the 2018 Koh Kong provincial fair. By 2018, production had ramped up, and he had registered his logo. In 2020, his brand…
Eng Oeun has lived all 66 of his years in the floating village of Prek Toal, Koh Chiveang commune, Ek Phnom district, Battambang province on the surface of the Tonle Sap Lake, the largest lake in Southeast Asia. Over the course of his long life, he has seen many changes to the lifestyle and culture of the villagers, some good, and some bad. One of the most curious practices – which has now come to an end – was the “burial” of coffins in tall trees during the rainy season. Oeun did not know the exact year of the village’s…
After graduating from university and beginning her career as a civil servant at the the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Khieu Sina found time to establish a business that aligns with her true passion – quality hand-woven Khmer goods. Her product line, known as Banteay Srei, is regarded as one of the most luxurious brand names in Cambodia on the market today. Sina, 23, set up the Somros Tombanh online store, which focuses on selling luxury woven products. It aims to promote value-added Khmer hand-woven silk and help unlock new find markets, while providing employment opportunities for older weavers. According…
Guinness World Records has recognised the more than 24-hour online circus by Phare Ponleu Selpak’s performers on March 7, 2021 as “Longest Circus Show”. The online circus was organised as a last ditch effort to raise enough funds to survive the down turn in tourism caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Guinness World Records, which lists both human achievements and the extremes of the natural world, has confirmed that Cambodian non-profit Phare has set a world record with its pandemic-defying “Longest Circus Show”. The confirmation makes it the sixth Cambodian world record, and the first since 2018. On November 17, Phare…