The Cambodian Ministry of National Defence has strongly rejected accusations by Thailand over a recent landmine explosion that injured three Thai soldiers, saying the incident occurred due to the Thai military’s unauthorised incursion into Cambodian territory. On July 20, the defence ministry broke its silence and officially responded to Thai accusations for the first time since the July 16 landmine incident, firmly denying claims that the landmine which injured three Thai soldiers was recently laid by Cambodian troops. They described the claims as “baseless and misleading”, stating that the explosion occurred inside Cambodian territory which is contaminated with old war-era…
Author: Raksmey Hong
Heng Ratana, director-general of the Cambodia Mine Action Centre (CMAC) has shared his belief that Thai speculation that a landmine that recently injured three soldiers was newly laid is an attempt to provoke Cambodia. “After Thai soldiers stepped on a landmine — with one losing a leg and two others suffering minor injuries — there were a number of ill-intentioned stories reported in Thai media that attempted to defame Cambodia,” he said via Facebook today, July 19. “The Thai acting defence minister has requested that Cambodia clear all landmines and explosive remnants of war. Some frontline commanders have said…
The border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand has a long and complex history, but recent tensions were reignited by the tragic death of a Cambodian soldier on May 28. This incident has escalated a longstanding issue, drawing attention to the fragility of the relationship between the two nations. While the Preah Vihear Temple dispute once dominated the diplomatic landscape, the recent fatality has become a flashpoint, threatening to destabilise the region once again. At July 17 seminar, held at the Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh, scholars, policymakers and experts gathered to discuss the future of Cambodia-Thailand relations and…
The ICT Festival, hosted on July 17 at the Kandal Regional Teacher Training Center (RTTC), underscored the remarkable strides made in Cambodia’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) education sector. The event brought together over 100 talented students from ICT-leading schools across the country, along with 20 dedicated ICT educators, for a day filled with competition, collaboration and inspiration. It was organized by the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). The festival aimed to highlight the growing importance of digital education in Cambodia while motivating both students and educators to continue their efforts toward…
A new initiative aimed at building the capacity of Commune Agriculture Officers (CAOs) and farmers to enhance climate-resilient cashew and pepper production was officially launched by the EU delegation to Cambodia, the German embassy and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, on July 17. The Training of Trainers (ToT) programme focuses on equipping CAOs with technical expertise and post-harvest management skills to better assist local farmers. The event, held in Kampong Thom, gathered 169 participants, including CAOs, farmers, government officials, development partners and representatives from the private sector. The training is tailored to address local crop conditions and provide…
In response to a Thai move to take legal action against Cambodian Senate president Hun Sen over a leaked audio message, Touch Sokhak, spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, has shared his belief that Thailand’s threats to involve Interpol were politically motivated, not criminal. He noted that the Thai authorities wanted Interpol to charge Hun Sen just for pointing out to the Thai prime minister that Thailand closed its own borders and must reopen them, even suggesting that he leaked audio caused insecurity in the neighbouring Kingdom. Sokhak released a 40-minute video response to Thailand’s latest move related to the…
The General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia has reiterated that businesses may continue to import non-prohibited goods into Cambodia as usual, provided they comply with the formalities and procedures outlined in existing regulations. “For the routes and means of transporting goods into Cambodia, traders and businesspeople may use alternative transportation methods and official ports, except for the Cambodia-Thailand land borders, which have been unilaterally closed by the Thai military,” it explained, in a July 16 notice. Imports currently banned include fruit and vegetables, along with fuel products such as gasoline, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG and LNG), fuel…
Cambodia’s ongoing efforts to improving regulatory frameworks and creating a more transparent, efficient government took a significant step forward with the launch of a new phase in the implementation of Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIA). At the July 15 inception workshop, attended by key stakeholders, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Cambodian government outlined their renewed focus on improving lawmaking processes to drive economic growth, enhance governance and reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies. The event, held at the Council of Ministers, was opened by Anthony Robert Gill, country operations head at ADB’s Cambodia Resident Mission. Gill commended the government’s efforts to institutionalise…
Two Chinese men have been implicated in an international drug trafficking case after authorities discovered approximately two kilogrammes of methamphetamine hidden in packages sent from Cambodia to Japan through Cambodia Post. “On July 3, 2025, X-ray specialists at Cambodia Post (Wat Phnom) inspected two parcels bound for Japan and discovered 2.164 kilogrammes of crystal-clear methamphetamine,” explained a July 15 statement from the Phnom Penh Municipal Court prosecutor’s office. Following the discovery, authorities raided the apartment of the senders, located in a condominium in Toul Sangke 1, Russey Keo district. The search uncovered drug paraphernalia and samples of coloured powder. The…
At just 12 years old, Kheangsophany P. Spring has already cemented her place among the brightest young minds in the world. From clinching second place as Global Mathematics Champion and bringing home four trophies and two gold medals at the TeenEagle UK Global Round to recently winning a bronze medal at the Singapore International Math Olympiad Challenge (SIMOC), her academic journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. “It is an honour to receive this Bronze Medal in such a highly prestigious global math competition,” said Spring. SIMOC is a prestigious global mathematics competition held annually in Singapore. This year, over…