Author: Raksmey Hong
Officers from the Battambang Provincial Police Headquarters have located and arrested Thai national Ekkalak Pheanol, who is wanted in connection with the slaying of former Cambodian opposition politician Lim Kimya. He was taken into custody in Prey Svay village and commune, in Battambang province’s Moung Russey district. This arrest followed a request for cooperation by Thai police. Based on information provided by the authorities of the neighbouring Kingdom, the suspect was reportedly apprehended by the Cambodian National Police at 1.50pm on January 8. “The suspect will be sent back to Thailand as per the request of Thai authorities, in…
As Cambodia grapples with a gradually aging population, the Kingdom faces significant challenges related to the social and economic well-being of its senior citizens. “The total population aged 60 and over is approximately 1.7 million, representing 10 per cent of the country’s total population in 2023,” according to Population Trends Asia Pacific. While​ Cambodia’s population is projected to reach 21.9 million by 2050, the proportion of individuals aged 60 and above will rise to 21%, reflecting a broader regional trend of an aging population. Among the most vulnerable are older women, many of whom continue to face financial insecurity, isolation…
As Cambodia prepares to commemorate Victory Over Genocide Day on January 7 – the date which marks the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime in 1979 – the Kingdom reflects on its journey of healing and reconciliation. For nearly half a century, the Cambodian people have carried the trauma of a genocide that devastated families, communities and institutions across the country. Even as the scars of the past begin to fade, the road to a peaceful and prosperous future remains intertwined with the nation’s reckoning with history. One of the key organisations driving Cambodia’s healing process is the Documentation Center…
The Angkor Writing Contest, the Kingdom’s premier Khmer dictation competition, is back for its second edition, promising another memorable celebration of Cambodia’s rich literary heritage. Scheduled to take place on January 19 on the western causeway of the iconic Angkor Wat Temple, the contest will once again showcase the nation’s devotion to preserving and promoting the Khmer language. “We are proud to share that the oldest applicant is 81 years old, while the youngest is just six,” said Lim Bun Hok, secretary of state at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, which is organising the event. “This remarkable…
In the northern district of Anlong Veng, the final stronghold of the Khmer Rouge, a newly designed roof now shelters the modest tomb of Pol Pot, one of history’s most infamous figures. The project, crafted by two young Cambodian architects, has stirred discussions about the intersection of history, memory and reconciliation in a nation still healing from its traumatic past. Pol Pot, who led the Khmer Rouge regime which was responsible for the deaths of up to two million Cambodians, died on April 15, 1998, in Anlong Veng. Following his death, his body was cremated near the Thai border in…
The Ministry of Interior has issued a directive aimed at safeguarding individual rights, maintaining professionalism and ensuring transparency when disseminating social security information. Released on December 27, the guidelines outline clear policies for civil servants, Cambodian National Police officers and prison officials under the ministry. These policies are designed to promote efficient public communication while adhering to legal standards and protecting individual privacy. The ministry stressed that officials must uphold professional confidentiality at all times to foster public trust. “Before, during and after operations, competent officials must maintain professional confidentiality and must not provide or disseminate information to unauthorised individuals,…
Phnom Penh’s urban landscape has long been home to a fascinating yet elusive species: the flying fox, whose “sanctuary tree” in the capital is even marked on Google Maps. These large fruit bats, known for their impressive wingspans of up to 1.5 metres, have made their roosts around Wat Phnom, delighting both locals and international tourists with their nightly flights and their critical role in the local ecosystem. However, recently, something has changed – an entire troop of these bats seems to have vanished from their iconic perches, leaving many to wonder what happened to them. For years, visitors to…
The Communicable Disease Control Department (CDC) of the Ministry of Health has issued a warning regarding the outbreak of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) in China. The virus, which causes symptoms resembling those of the common cold and Covid-19, has seen a rise in infections, particularly among children. “Dr. Chen Chih-jung of Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital stated in an interview on Thursday that hMPV is similar to respiratory syncytial virus [RSV], which primarily affects children under the age of two, whereas hMPV tends to infect older children,” the CDC noted. According to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC…