Pascal Ringwald, coordinator of the Global Malaria Programme at the World Health Organization (WHO), praised Cambodia’s healthcare response to the thousands of civilians displaced by recent border clashes, during a visit to the Wat Phnom Thmar Kambor refugee camp in Banteay Ampil district, Oddar Meanchey province. Ringwald was part of a high-level delegation of diplomats from 11 countries and representatives from 15 UN agencies and affiliated organisations that toured displacement camps across the Kingdom’s northern provinces, to assess the ongoing humanitarian situation. He visited six camps, four in Siam Rep province, one in Preah Vihear province and one in Oddar…
Author: Raksmey Hong
A delegation of over 30 international officials, including embassy staff and representatives from several UN agencies, is visiting temporary refugee camps in Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces. They aim to check on the welfare of displaced individuals, who urged a full ceasefire to support a lasting peace. Embassy officials from major powers such as the US, China and Russia, along with representatives from key regional countries, are participating on the August 6 and 7 visits. The delegation is led by Kan Pharith and Un Kheang, both secretaries of state at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.…
Following the full-scale military clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border, thousands of displaced families have flooded into makeshift sanctuaries. Preah Vihear now hosts 19 such sites, sheltering between 30,000 and 40,000 displaced people, while Wat Por 5,000 pagoda shelters more than 19,000 people — many of them women and children — fleeing from violence in Choam Ksan district. Thanks to the generosity of those struck by their plight — from ordinary Cambodians to those at the highest rungs of office — an army of philanthropists has been mobilised to bring relief to the desperate refugees. “This is the largest sanctuary in…
When Thai artillery targeted the area of the Ta Mone Thom Temple, in Oddar Meanchey province’s Banteay Ampil district, they claimed they were aiming for military targets. The mother of 10-year-old Thy Kimsort knows the results of indiscriminate shelling all too well. She recounted the horror of an attack by Thai forces on her home near the border, in Kok Mon commune. At 7pm on July 24, shrapnel from a Thai shell struck her son, shattering his hip. While medical teams immediately rushed Kimsort to the Jayavarman VII Children’s Hospital in Siem Reap, the initial prognosis was not good. “At…
His Majesty Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, issued a royal decree today, Agust 4, which assigns key responsibilities to Senate president Hun Sen, chairman of the Supreme Advisory Council to the King, and Prime Minister Hun Manet, to ensure national defence and safeguard the Kingdom’s territorial integrity. The assignment comes amid escalating tensions and reported violations of Cambodian territory by the Thai military. “In accordance with the spirit of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia,” the King stated in his message, “I hereby grant the authority to Hun Sen, chairman of the Supreme Advisory Council, to liaise with Hun…
On August 3, the ASEAN Military Observer Group (Interim), comprising representatives from Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam, led by Colonel Nazlee bin Abdul Rahim, Malaysia’s Defense Attaché to Cambodia, departed from Phnom Penh for Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces. These areas have been affected by recent armed clashes between the Cambodian and Thai militaries. The purpose of their mission is to monitor the implementation of a July 28 ceasefire agreement, with the observation period set to last for two full weeks. The participation of ASEAN member states reflects a collective commitment to ensuring the ceasefire’s success…
Wrapped in soft blankets and resting peacefully under a mosquito net, baby Samnang — whose name means “Lucky” — was born just moments after his parents arrived safely at a refugee camp in Siem Reap on July 24. His mother, Chenda, from Anglong Veng district, near Choam border in Oddar Meanchey, recounted how their journey began under the shadow of falling bombs and the terrifying sounds of artillery as fighting erupted along the Cambodia-Thailand border. “We were running for our lives. I didn’t even know if I would make it in time,” she said, her voice trembling. “But the moment…
Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) officials confirmed today, August 1, that the Thai air force dropped 10 MK-84 bombs during the five days of fighting with Cambodia. Only four exploded, it noted. The centre said its findings corresponded with statements made by the Royal Thai Air Force, which confirmed it had employed F-16s, supported by Swedish-made Gripens during the conflict. Officials presented the damage caused by the 1,000 kilogramme bombs to a group of more than 20 diplomats and UN officials, who toured Banteay Ampil district in Oddar Meanchey province. The tour was led by foreign minister Prak Sokhonn. “We…
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring safety before allowing displaced residents to return to their homes near the Thai-Cambodian border. Leading a delegation of representatives from 22 embassies and four international NGOs, Sokhonn visited Oddar Meanchey province on Friday, August 1, to assess the situation in areas severely affected by airstrikes carried out by Thai forces between July 24 and 28. “The government is working hard to guarantee security for our people before they return home,” he said during his visit to Samraong town, where many families have taken refuge.…
Foreign minister Prak Sokhonn led diplomats from multiple nations on an inspection tour of Thma Don village in Oddar Meanchey province on August 1. Many of the villagers homes suffered heavy damage from Thai bombing. The diplomats also visited one of the sites where Thai forces used MK-84 bombs.