In pictures: Scenes from Ta Moan Sen Chey Primary School and Ta Moan Senchey pagoda in Oddar Meanchey province, which were heavily damaged by Thai forces during the attacks which took place from July 24 to 28.
Author: Raksmey Hong
Thai news outlet Khaosod English reported this evening, July 31, that the Second Army Region has delayed the repatriation of 18 Cambodian soldiers, stating that questioning is not yet fully completed. However, they will return two soldiers tomorrow, August 1 — one who is injured and another with trauma — through the Chong Chom–O’Smach checkpoint. The military-affiliated newspaper said earlier today , July 31, that a source from the Army Region confirmed the scheduled repatriation of the 18 Cambodian soldiers at 10.00am. The paper added reported that one of the soldiers had a broken arm and had received treatment, while…
Cambodia’s business climate is facing mounting pressure as escalating border tensions with Thailand, steep US tariffs and shifting regional trade dynamics shake investor confidence and threaten long-standing economic ties. At a business forum organised by the American Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia (AmCham), today, July 31, leading business figures painted a complex picture of the country’s economic future — one caught between geopolitical stress, lost investor sentiment and unrealised opportunity. “The intention to invest in Cambodia has dropped significantly,” warned AmCham president Casey Barnett. “From February to July 2025, we saw a drop from 67% to just 51% of companies…
American business leaders have warned that Cambodia must act quickly or risk falling behind regional competitors Vietnam and Indonesia in the race for manufacturing investment. During an economic forum held in Phnom Penh today, July 31, Casey Barnett, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia (AmCham), warned that US companies are increasingly drawn to neighbouring countries offering lower tariffs and clearer trade advantages. “The factories tell us they’re not going to stay. If the rate is 36%, they’re not going to stay in Cambodia,” Barnett stated. He said a number of factories could survival a rate of 25%…
The non-disclosure of information about the capture of Cambodian soldiers prioritised their safety, according to the government. The lives of the armed forces, as well as Cambodian citizens living in conflict zones, are the top priority of the Royal Government, explained Prime Minister Hun Manet. The prime minister was responding to questions about why Cambodia has not released information related to the capture of its soldiers by Thai forces. “The Royal Government is making every effort to achieve a permanent ceasefire as soon as possible,” he said, in a July 31 social media post. “In this context, managing…
Phat Vibolsopheak, director-general of the defence ministry’s Department of International Relations, informed visiting military attachés and other international observers about Thai breaches of the current ceasefire. During the July 30 inspection tour of the An Ses Pass battlefield in Preah Vihear province, he showed them photographs taken by Cambodian forces of seven Thai soldiers who were on the Cambodian side of the lines demarcated by the ceasefire. He also noted that 20 Cambodian soldiers were captured by Thai forces at around 5am on the morning of July 29. One managed to escape, while 19 were taken to Thai territory. “What…
In the wake of the newly declared ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand, World Vision International in Cambodia has launched an emergency response while calling on the international community to prioritise the protection and well-being of children affected by the recent border conflict. Welcoming the immediate and unconditional ceasefire, effective from midnight on July 28, World Vision praised the de-escalation as a critical step toward restoring peace, but stressed that the humanitarian toll on children must not be overlooked. “The fear in the eyes of children fleeing violence is a heartbreaking reminder that the most vulnerable always bear the heaviest burden…
A 7-month-old boy suffering from a rare congenital condition has successfully undergone the first phase of life-saving surgical procedures at Jayavarman VII Kantha Bopha Hospital in Siem Reap province. The infant, from Sra Em Khang Tboung village in Preah Vihear province, was diagnosed with cloacal exstrophy — a severe birth defect in which the intestines, bladder and genital organs protrude from the abdominal wall and are split into two. According to doctors, his specific condition included hemibladder, hemipenis and epispadias. He was admitted to Kantha Bopha Hospital on June 25, where his case immediately caught the attention of medical specialists.…
The US has welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand, calling for a full and immediate halt to hostilities following recent cross-border clashes that alarmed the region and drew international concern. In a July 28 press statement, US secretary of state Marco Rubio, praised the diplomatic breakthrough reached during emergency talks in Kuala Lumpur, which were hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. “The US applauds the ceasefire declaration between Cambodia and Thailand announced in Kuala Lumpur,” said Rubio. “President Trump and I are committed to an immediate cessation of violence and expect the governments of Cambodia…
Minister of Interior Sar Sokha has issued a stark warning to Cambodian citizens, urging them to remain vigilant against actions that could jeopardise national security, as the nation’s armed forces confront continued aggression from Thai troops along the border. In a statement posted on his official social media account, Sokha revealed that “a small number of citizens” have allegedly aided Thai espionage efforts. “In recent days, several individuals fell prey to Thai spying by equipping themselves with GPS tracking devices, taking photographs and sharing sensitive information about military movements and battlefield positions. They were arrested, with concrete evidence,” he said.…