Military Police in Poipet city arrested two Thai nationals early Friday morning, after they were found firing a handgun in a public area near the Cambodia–Thailand border. According to the authorities, the incident occurred at around 12.41am on October 3, when a joint force of the Poipet Military Police and Border Patrol was patrolling the area in front of Borey Star Gold, in Poipet town’s Prey Preach village, in Ou Chrov commune. The patrol discovered two men firing a handgun and took immediate action. The suspects were identified as Patchara Khaopho, 27, who was in possession of the firearm, and…
Author: Raksmey Hong
Pchum Ben, one of Cambodia’s most sacred traditions, has always been about family, faith and honoring ancestors. In recent years, it has also become a powerful season for commerce. The sale of food, flowers, ceremonial items and clothing peaks as households prepare offerings. What is new, however, is the way these products are reaching consumers — and this year, TikTok has emerged as the unexpected marketplace driving record sales. The stories of small business owners highlight a major shift. Je Khi, who sells Pchum Ben offerings and groceries, reported a 70 per cent increase in sales compared to normal weeks.…
Cambodia has shared an urgent warning over renewed attacks on the Preah Vihear Temple, telling a UNESCO global forum that the World Heritage site has faced artillery shelling and cluster bomb strikes as recently as July this year, despite international court rulings affirming Cambodia’s sovereignty. Speaking at the UNESCO World Conference on Culture Policies and Sustainable Development (MONDIACULT 2025) held in Barcelona from September 29 to October 1, Suos Yara, chairman of the Asian Cultural Council (ACC) and head of the National Assembly’s Commission on Foreign Affairs, stated that cultural heritage must never be weaponized in conflicts. “The Preah Vihear…
Indonesian ambassador to Cambodia Santo Darmosumarto has spotlighted growing demand for Indonesian products in Cambodia’s northeastern provinces, urging local businesses to seize new trade opportunities with the region’s largest economy. Speaking during an official visit to Stung Treng province on September 29, he explained that the trip aimed to strengthen bilateral economic ties beyond the capital. “Seeing is believing; by visiting various parts of Cambodia, we learn more about the potential for partnerships, including in efforts to boost bilateral trade,” he said. The noted that Indonesian-made goods, particularly dairy and food products, are gaining popularity among Cambodian consumers, even in…
This morning, September 30, Cambodian villagers and unarmed soldiers prevented Thai forces from escorting a land surveyor team into a sugarcane plantation in Chouk Chey village. The team was reportedly attempting to access border marker 46, in O Bei Chon commune, of O Chrov district. According to Cambodian authorities, Thai troops escorted the surveyors into the area but were pushed back by local villagers, supported by unarmed Cambodian soldiers. “Our side acted to prevent the attempt and the Thais retreated,” said an official. A separate group of Thai soldiers reportedly attempted to reach border post number 47. While officials described…
Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior has issued a sharp rebuttal to the address delivered by Thailand’s newly appointed foreign minister at the UN General Assembly, accusing Bangkok of twisting facts about the ongoing border conflict. In a September 29 statement, the ministry dismissed the Thai minister’s claims that “Thai soldiers who lost their legs to landmines, children whose schools were destroyed by artillery, and innocent civilians who were attacked by Cambodian rockets” were the true victims of the clashes. The Cambodian side countered by posing a series of pointed questions aimed at exposing what it described as Thailand’s responsibility for escalating…
O Bei Chon commune, Banteay Meanchey – For many Cambodians living along the Kingdom’s borders, the closure of border crossings with Thailand have not been the crisis that some expected. Life in the villages continues with farming, small businesses and local workers all carrying on, much as they have for decades. What has shaken their sense of security is something else entirely — the creeping advance of razor wire barricades and the looming presence of Thai forces. In Chouk Chey village, home to more than 700 families, residents say the disruption is not about trade or travel restrictions. Instead, their…
Members of the ASEAN Interim Observers Team (IOT) are visiting Cambodian military positions in Preah Vihear province today, just one day after Cambodia claimed Thai forces attacked the positions with mortar and small arms fire. The Ministry of National Defence coordinated the visit to the An Seh area in Choam Khsan district, this morning, September 28. “The purpose of the visit was to observe, verify and report the situation after the ceasefire came into effect,” said ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata. According to the ministry, the first round of attacks lasted from 11.52am to 12.22am, while a second took place from…
Cambodia used its September 27 address to the UN General Assembly (UNGA) to underscore its transformation from a war-torn country which was once under UN peacekeeping supervision to an active global contributor to peace. The Kingdom’s message of progress and international solidarity, however, was overshadowed by warnings that the country’s hard-won peace is now threatened by escalating border tensions with Thailand. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn told the assembly that Cambodia’s journey “embodies the UNGA-80 theme, namely countries once in need can now become providers of peace and stability for others”. “Since 2006, Cambodia has deployed…
Cambodian acting head of state and Senate president Hun Sen held an online discussion with Prime Minister Hun Manet, proposing that today’s reported ceasefire violations be investigated through the IOT mechanism, which is led by Malaysia. “Today, there was a ceasefire violation using mortars and machine guns,” said Hun Sen, in a September 27 social media post. He noted that both Cambodia and Thailand have filed complaints to the IOT, with Cambodia strongly urging the mechanism to conduct an on-site inspection. “To ensure integrity, transparency, impartiality and credibility, I suggest that the Malaysian military leadership, who chairs the IOT, along…