Health officers from the Kampong Cham Health Centre – under the Kratie Operational District Health Office – came to the aid of a woman who went into labour and gave birth aboard a small boat. Both mother and baby are reported to be in good health. According to Or Vandine, Ministry of Health secretary of state and Spokesperson, the baby was born on February 6, at 11am. “The mother is currently resting. We are monitoring her condition at the Kampong Cham Health Centre. This was a timely rescue by doctors with strong professional consciences and a love of medicine,” Vandine…
Author: Raksmey Hong
As economic development and urbanisation reshapes the Mekong region, Cambodia is taking steps to balance infrastructure growth with environmental sustainability. Cambodia has become just the second country in the region, behind Laos, to build fish passages, an innovative solution to the challenges posed by irrigation and hydropower projects on fish migration. Australia continues to play a crucial role in advancing sustainable fisheries in the Mekong region, with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) committing AUD $18 million ($11.3 million) in 2025 to fisheries research in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. Speaking at the 2nd Lower Mekong Basin Fish…
The world-renowned Angkor Wat temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, appears to be facing an escalating conflict between its resident monkeys and human visitors. Increasing numbers of aggressive encounters have sparked alarm among tourists, conservation groups and local authorities. At the heart of the controversy is the artificial feeding of wild macaques by tourists and the deliberate harassment of these animals by videographers seeking dramatic content for social media. According to Action for Primates, a UK-based advocacy group for non-human primates, these activities have significantly altered the monkeys’ natural instincts, making them more aggressive and reliant on human interaction.…
Cambodia’s rich culinary heritage took centre stage at the “Cambodian Fish Cuisine: A CAPFISH-Capture Culinary Show”. The February 5 event celebrated the Kingdom’s fisheries sector while honouring the communities whose cultural and economic livelihoods are tied to the fisheries sector and promoting sustainable consumption. Themed “Healthy Plates, Thriving Communities: Eat Local Fish”, the event was organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, with the support of the EU and the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Agriculture minister Dith Tina addressed the event, emphasising the historical and cultural importance of fisheries. He cited ancient carvings of fish at the…
The Mekong River, a vital resource flowing through Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam, plays a central role in the livelihoods of millions. Its fisheries provide crucial food and income, but growing pressures from urbanisation, energy dams and irrigation systems have significantly disrupted fish migration patterns. Australia and ASEAN have launched a collaborative effort which focuses on restoring these migration routes through fish passages, or fishways, which allow fish to bypass dams and other barriers. Sponsored through the Mekong-Australia Partnership by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the project is working…
The Apsara National Authority (ANA) has issued a warning about the growing number of aggressive monkeys in the Angkor Wat area. It has urged the public to avoid feeding or interacting with them. “Recently, the number of monkeys in the Angkor Archaeological Park has increased significantly,” said the authority, in a February 4 press release. “The regular feeding of a small group of individuals for the purpose of producing video content has altered the monkeys’ natural behaviour, turning them into aggressive scavengers which may injure humans as they try to take food,” it warned. The ANA is working with the…
As Cambodia prepares to celebrate the 27th National Culture Day, a fresh wave of energy is sweeping through the country, driven by the youth, who are increasingly becoming the custodians of the nation’s cultural legacy. This event emphasises the pivotal role young Cambodians will play in preserving and advancing the Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage for future generations. National Culture Day, observed between March 3 and Khmer New Year, was established by the government to honour the efforts of past generations who develop Cambodia’s unique culture. A set of guidelines for this year’s festivities set forth by Prime Minister Hun Manet…
Agriculture remains the backbone of Cambodia’s economic growth, with rice production continuing to dominate the sector, according to Ngin Chhay, director of Cambodia’s General Directorate of Agriculture (GDA). As the years have passed, the Kingdom’s farmers have transitioned from using animals for farming to operating two-wheel “walking” tractors, usually powered by fossil fuels. To keep pace with the demands of the modern era, these vehicles will soon be upgraded with electric motors to improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact. The integration of precision agriculture technology, such as smart weeding, targeted spraying and crop intelligence sensing will also help farmers…
The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) has announced major investment plans which aim to improve farming practices in Cambodia. With A$6 million ($3.7 million) in funding, the ACIAR is focusing on enhancing smallholder farming through mechanisation and sustainable soil management. This partnership brings together Australian researchers from the University of Sydney and Murdoch University, in collaboration with Cambodia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, to address key challenges in the sector. “Our goal is to enhance productivity in a sustainable manner. By addressing key challenges like soil degradation and technological adaptation, we are supporting Cambodian farmers in building…
Cambodia’s small business sector is showing renewed signs of recovery, with small business loan applications increasing by 5.7% in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to the latest report from Credit Bureau Cambodia (CBC). The surge follows a 3.9% rise in the previous quarter, signalling growing confidence among entrepreneurs seeking capital to expand their businesses. Industry experts attribute this growth to strong government policies that support small and medium enterprises (SMEs), as well as more active participation from financial institutions offering tailored loan products. Te Taing Por, president of the Federation of Associations for Small and Medium Enterprises of Cambodia…