France has voiced clear support for diplomatic initiatives led by Malaysia, China and the US to bring a peaceful resolution to the ongoing Cambodia–Thailand border conflict, as humanitarian conditions continue to deteriorate on the ground. The position was conveyed during a December 23 telephone call between Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn and France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot. According to the foreign ministry, Sokhonn expressed Phnom Penh’s appreciation for France’s consistent backing of the peace process, particularly its support for the Ceasefire Agreement signed on July 28, and the Kuala Lumpur Joint…
Author: Raksmey Hong
Cambodia has accused Thailand of launching a premeditated and coordinated war along its western border, rejecting claims that the fighting is the result of an accidental clash or a sudden escalation. In a detailed statement, Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra referred to the hostilities that began on December 7 as “open and deliberate military aggression” carried out by the Thai state, involving the simultaneous deployment of land, air and naval forces. “This is neither an isolated incident nor an uncontrolled escalation,” the minister said. “It is a war that has been planned, acknowledged and carried out by the Thai State.”…
More than 8,000 people have visited the SOSORO Museum’s major temporary exhibition Into the Light: The Retrieved Paintings of Phnom Penh’s Silver Pagoda since its opening in early October, underscoring strong public interest in a long-lost chapter of Cambodia’s artistic and spiritual heritage. Now halfway through its five-month run, the exhibition at the National Bank of Cambodia’s Preah Srey Içanavarman Museum of Economy and Money (SOSORO) has attracted a steady flow of students, families, researchers and cultural enthusiasts. “This strong attendance reflects the public’s remarkable appreciation for the rediscovered murals of the Silver Pagoda’s sanctuary and the unique historical narrative…
China has called for an early ceasefire and renewed dialogue to resolve the ongoing border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand, reaffirming its support for ASEAN-led mediation efforts, according to a statement shared by Chinese ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin on social media. Quoting Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Special Envoy for Asian Affairs Deng Xijun, the post said the immediate priority is “to achieve a ceasefire at an early date, restart dialogue and resolve the border dispute through peaceful means”. Deng made the remarks during a shuttle-diplomacy visit to Cambodia and Thailand aimed at easing tensions following the recent border…
The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, together with the Ministry of Information, has issued a public advisory calling on citizens to immediately stop sharing social media content originating from Thailand or unverified sources, amid what it described as an ongoing situation affecting Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The ministries warned that commenting, sharing or reacting to articles, photos, videos or other digital content from Thai social media accounts or unclear sources effectively contributes — often unknowingly — to the spread of Thai-origin narratives and fake news. “Such actions have accelerated the circulation of disinformation, falsehoods and incitement that undermine public…
The credibility of ASEAN’s conflict-management role came under sharp scrutiny on Tuesday, December 23, as Thai military forces continued shelling Cambodian territory and civilian areas, even as regional foreign ministers convened a Special ASEAN Ministers’ Meeting in Malaysia aimed at easing tensions. According to Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence, Thai forces carried out sustained attacks along the Cambodia–Thailand border on December 22 and 23, marking the 17th consecutive day of hostilities and repeated violations of the ceasefire and Joint Declaration signed by the two prime ministers on October 26. The latest assaults unfolded hours after the ASEAN meeting concluded, raising…
Japan has thrown its weight behind ASEAN’s diplomatic efforts to defuse escalating clashes between Cambodia and Thailand, expressing deep concern over mounting civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure since fighting flared again this month. In a statement issued after the ASEAN Special Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on December 22, Japan said it “expresses deep respect” for Malaysia’s role as ASEAN chair in convening the emergency talks and welcomed steps aimed at easing tensions and restoring dialogue between the two neighbours. Tokyo also reiterated its appreciation for US mediation efforts, including facilitation of a ceasefire arrangement and the…
Cambodia’s Grade 5 students have made impressive gains in reading and mathematics over the past five years, signalling the impact of sustained educational reforms, coupled with post-pandemic recovery efforts. Unfortunately, significant learning gaps persist for children from the poorest households, according to new regional assessment results released on December 22. Findings from the Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM) show a marked improvement in foundational learning between 2019 and 2024. “The proportion of Cambodian students achieving high proficiency in reading rose from 27 per cent to 39 per cent, while mathematics saw an even sharper increase, with 62 per cent…
Cambodian-American Khmer classical dancer and choreographer Charya Burt has brought Rebirth of Apsara back to Cambodia to mark the closing of the 50th anniversary of the Khmer Rouge genocide, deliberately ending the year-long commemoration in the country where Khmer arts were painstakingly revived after 1979. Originally developed to honour genocide survivors and reflect on the near destruction of Cambodian culture, the 2025 adaptation places Cambodia — not the diaspora — at the centre of the narrative. Burt said presenting the work in her homeland carries deep personal and historical meaning, as the rebirth of the arts in the 1980s shaped…
Cambodia has issued an open letter to the international community accusing Thailand of carrying out “planned, acknowledged and deliberate” military aggression along Cambodia’s western border since December 7, 2025, and warning that silence or inaction risks undermining the credibility of the international legal order. In the letter, Cambodia rejects any claim that the clashes were accidental or uncontrolled, asserting instead that Thailand has waged a coordinated war involving land, air and naval forces. According to the document, Thai troops have advanced onto Cambodian territory, planted flags on Cambodian soil and launched attacks not only against military positions but also civilians,…