The government has once again issued measures to prohibit the import, advertising, sale and use of vapes and shishas. According to an October 21 order by Prime Minister Hun Manet, the prohibition is aimed at developing high-quality and healthy human capital, which is essential for the Kingdom’s social and economic development. The order warned of an uptick in the use heated tobacco products (HTPs) among children and youth in Cambodia, which has a significant impact on social order and public health, especially the health of students and educational staff. Manet noted that the use of these products could be a…
Author: Niem Chheng
Minister of National Defence Tea Seiha and a Cambodian delegation left for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today for the highly anticipated second Special General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting with their Thai counterparts. “Cambodia expects that both sides will be able to discuss a number of priority issues in a friendly and constructive environment with a high sense of good faith, while strictly adhering to the spirit of previous agreements; in particular, the removal of heavy weapons and equipment, which shall be implemented under the observation and verification of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT),” he said, via social media. He expected the…
Two Vietnamese men are languishing in Prey Sar Prison, after they were swept up in an October 14 raid on a Phnom Penh scam centre. Thon Darith, Investigating Judge of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, issued an October 21 order which saw the two men transferred to Correctional Center 1 (Prey Sar), as they await trial. The two defendants were identified as Pham Van Tiep, 34, and Trinh Xuan Luc, 34. They were among six Vietnamese men arrested by authorities during the raid on a suspected online fraud operation, in Doeum Makloeu village, in Chbar Ampov I commune and district.…
A Cambodia Senate leader has shared some of the challenges faced by Cambodian villagers on the Thai border with a large body of international parliamentarians, noting that they face displacement and threats of eviction, as well as the psychological stress caused by the playing of loud eerie sounds and screams by Thai loudspeakers. He also highlighted the continued detention of 18 Cambodian soldiers, who were captured the day after a ceasefire agreement was signed. During the 151st Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) General Assembly, General Debate in Geneva, Switzerland, on October 21, Ouch Borith, first-vice president of the Senate, explained how Thailand…
Two bold new programmes aimed at reducing preventable deaths among children were announced yesterday, October 20. They will target traffic accidents and drownings, respectively, by lowering speed limits near schools and introducing swimming lessons. Launched by the Ministry of Interior, with support from UNICEF and partners, it is hoped that the campaigns will save thousands of lives. Road traffic injuries and drowning are two of the leading causes of child mortality in Cambodia. In 2023 alone, road crashes killed 1,590 people — an average of five deaths per day — and injured more than 4,500, with children and young people…
The Ministry of Interior has rejected claims that interior minister Sar Sokha has any connections to the Jin Bei casino in Sihanoukville, labelling the allegations as “false information” which is clearly aimed at damaging his reputation. In an October 20 statement, the ministry addressed recent published claims that the minister has business ties with the casino, which is currently facing US sanctions for its alleged involvement in scam operations, money laundering and human trafficking. “Deputy Prime Minister Sar Sokha, Minister of Interior, has no involvement and holds no shares in the Jin Bei casino business, contrary to the allegations made…
Prime Minister Hun Manet has asked citizens to stop asking how many Cambodian troops were killed or injured in the border clashes of July and where land was lost or gained. He explained that now is the time to unite, not to be divided. “I ask some of our citizens who ask, ‘After the ceasefire, who was lost, who was protected, which commanders died, which commanders lived?’ The conflict is not over yet. The problem remains and shouldn’t military secrecy be maintained?” he said, as he addressed the official inauguration ceremony of Techo International Airport this morning, October 20. “I…
In the face of adversity, Cambodia did not remain silent but actively sought to prevent the conflict with Thailand from escalating and worked towards ending it, ultimately leading to the ceasefire of July 28. These efforts were not easy, according to Prime Minister Hun Manet. Speaking at the official inauguration ceremony of Techo International Airport, the Prime Minister acknowledged the frustration of citizens regarding various Thai activities following the ceasefire agreement, while explaining the government’s quiet efforts to assist the people. “We are continuing to help the citizens who were affected in Chouk Chey and Prey Chan villages; we have…
Prime Minister Hun Manet has reiterated that the former Phnom Penh International Airport, known as Pochentong Airport, will not be sold to private entities. Instead, it will be converted into a public park, with some sections becoming a museum and other buildings serving public interests. Manet announced the decision during the official inauguration of Techo International Airport, Cambodia’s largest airport, on the morning of October 20. “The old airport will not be sold to anyone. It remains state property under state control. Currently, the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation is responsible for its maintenance. The budget allocated is $3 million…
Following the announcement of a peace agreement between Cambodia and Thailand, concerns have been raised that Cambodia may cede territory in exchange for peace. After the agreement was reached with the mediation of the US and Malaysia, some commentators, notably including members of the opposition, voiced fears that Thailand cannot be trusted and that the government of Prime Minister Hun Manet may have surrendered land to Thailand. Manet addressed these concerns in a statement, released this morning, October 19. “I would like to briefly inform all compatriots that the ceasefire agreement of July 28 outlined the conditions and codes of…