Despite recent issues with online scams, which the government is actively working to completely eradicate, Cambodia remains a safe and welcoming tourist destination, said the Ministry of Tourism. In a March 9 notice, the ministry explained that Cambodia continues to be a safe tourist destination characterised by political stability and excellent social order, offering a warm and welcoming atmosphere to tourists from all over the world. “Even though the world is facing many challenges — including rapid changes in regional and global geopolitical and security situations, climate change, infectious diseases and cyber scam crimes — the Kingdom of Cambodia continues…
Author: Niem Chheng
The first prize in the architectural design competition, “Pochentong Reborn: Transforming the Old Phnom Penh Airport into a Sponge City,” was awarded to the “Queen Mother Library Architecture” team from the Documentation Center of Cambodia (DC-Cam) following a meticulous assessment by the evaluation committee. According to a DC-Cam press release, two of the top three finalists, announced by the competition’s scoring committee on March 9, tied for first place. Among them was DC-Cam’s “Queen Mother Library Architecture” team. The team selected the project theme, “Transforming a Solid Cambodian Historical Site Through Green Infrastructure Engineering”. After last year’s closure of the…
Two ministries have made it easier for citizens to use personal identity documents when accessing various public services, meaning citizens are no longer required to produce One Window-certified copies of their National Identity Cards. Previously, a task like transferring vehicle required applicants to submit certified copies. To have a copy certified generally meant taking at least five photocopies to a One Window Service Office and then waiting three working days. The service was free of charge. Now however, according to a March 9 circular issued by the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, this requirement…
Researchers at the Royal Academy of Cambodia have suggested that the working group responsible for managing alcohol advertising consider implementing additional measures to restrict advertising. These measures should be easy to enforce and effective in preventing children and youth from being enticed into consuming alcohol. During a recent public forum, they stated that while Cambodia is not yet able to completely ban alcohol advertising, it should be restricted. This includes allowing only the brand and logo of the alcoholic beverage, prohibiting associations with prizes, the use of celebrities and influential individuals and digital advertising, among other measures. The researchers believe…
Energy Minister Keo Rattanak has issued a stern warning that the licenses of any petrol station found to be increasing fuel prices above government-set levels will be revoked. The announcement comes amidst concerns of potential fuel shortages stemming from the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran. New fuel prices are currently set for three-day periods. During a public forum today, Rattanak assured the public that Cambodia continues to receive a steady inflow of fuel supplies. He stated that in the event of an import stoppage, the kingdom possesses sufficient reserves to last 21 days. “We are not in…
A group of seven suspected online scam “ringleaders” were placed in pre-trial detention at Correctional Center 1, commonly known as Prey Sar, on March 5, on charges of aggravated fraud. They were arrested during a raid on the Star City building in Trung Moan village, O’Bek K’am commune, Sen Sok district, Phnom Penh, on February 25. Lor Kroem, Investigating Judge at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, issued seven warrants ordering the detention of the seven accused. The charged persons include five Chinese nationals: Xi Bing, Chen Lang, Xia Chao, Nan Liang and Fan Lei; a Nepalese national, Kiran Kuma Rbayak;…
Prime Minister Hun Manet explained the purpose of this year’s “Nokor Sangkranta”, which is taking place at a time when parts of Cambodian territory are occupied by Thailand and tens of thousands of displaced persons are not yet able to return home. He noted that organising the event is not a matter of seeking pleasure to forget hardships nor abandoning territory. “The question is: is this organised so that brothers and sisters can laugh and have fun while forgetting our land? No. It is the organisation of a national traditional festival to drive our lives forward,” he said. “When we…
Prime Minister Hun Manet has reiterated that Cambodia is not just cracking down on online scamming crimes but is moving to completely “clean them out”. He noted that online scams, which he referred to as part of the “black economy”, do not contribute to national revenue. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2025 annual review and 2026 work direction meeting of the National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD), Manet stated that cleaning up these crimes is essential to restoring Cambodia’s reputation, which has been tarnished by online scams. He added that this crackdown requires cooperation and is not a…
The Netherlands Development Organisation, SNV, shared the positive outcomes it has seen through the introduction of clean energy cooking stoves, during the closing ceremony of the Higher Tier Cooking Component (HTCC) project, which took place on March 6, alongside the closure of the Smoke Free Village (SFV) project. The project was jointly implemented by the Ministry of mines and Energy and SNV. A joint press release noted that their cooperation will continue. It explained that clean cookstoves reduce the need to use firewood for cooking, which has a positive impact on health, livelihoods and the environment. During the implementation of…
While killings fuelled by superstitious beliefs have declined with the rise of public education, a tragic case occurred in Kampong Speu province this week. Provincial authorities reported that on the night of March 4, a premeditated murder involving a billhook (a long-handled knife) occurred in Prey Sya village, Saen Dei commune, Samraong Tong district. The victim was identified as 56-year-old Pov Khon. According to provincial police, Khon and her husband, Soeun Khum, 54, were at home. At around 8pm, the husband went to bathe behind the house while his wife sat under the house looking at her phone. Shortly after,…