The Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) has uncovered fragments from two MK-82 bombs that were dropped from Thai F-16 aircraft. Manufactured in 2023, they were equipped with the GBU-12 Paveway II guidance system, produced in Israel. CMAC general director Heng Ratana said today, August 2, that the parts provided evidence that a temple in Oddar Meanchey province was targeted by air strikes. He explained that CMAC operators discovered the remains of the two bombs at Ta Moan Senchey pagoda, in Ta Ham village of Banteay Ampil district’s Kok Mon commune. The MK-82 bombs, weighing approximately 250 kilogrammes, were fitted with…
Author: Niem Chheng
Despite the recent conflict at the Cambodia-Thailand border, the Ministry of Tourism has assured the world that Cambodia is safe and ready to offer a warm welcome to all international visitors. In an August 1 announcement, the ministry firmly reassured the public, tourism associations, tour operators, the private sector and the media, as well as all domestic and international tourists that the Kingdom remains safe and secure for tourism and travel through international connected flights and many land border crossing points. The ceasefire has come into force, fully restoring peace and stability in all areas of the Kingdom, including those…
The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) are hosting a photography exhibition which honours the perseverance and courageous spirit of journalists during the painful period of Cambodia’s wars of the 1960s and 70s. “Requiem: Honouring the Journalists Who Lost Their Lives During the War in Cambodia”, organised by the ECCC in collaboration with Meta House Phnom Penh, commemorates the Cambodian photographers who lost their lives while reporting on their own nation, explained a joint press release. The exhibition was attended by Khieu Kanharith, former Minister of Information and currently a Senior Advisor to His Majesty the King; current…
The Cambodia defence ministry has accepted their Thai counterpart’s request to hold General Border Committee (GBC) discussions in Malaysia, where a ceasefire between the two neighbouring kingdoms was signed earlier this week to end five days of armed clashes. In a letter to Natthaphon Narkphanit, acting defence minister of Thailand, Cambodian Minister of National Defence Tea Seiha said that “it would be my pleasure to lead the senior official delegation to attend the above-mentioned meeting you have proposed”. The GBC meeting is slated to take place from August 4-7 in Malaysia, a neutral location, at the request of the Thais,…
A Cambodian senator has requested that NGO International Medical Relief (IMR) focus their attention on vulnerable communities in the Cambodian-Thai border provinces in a future mission, as an IMR relief team winds up a mission in Cambodia this week. Thun Vatana, second vice-president of the Senate, met with Shauna King, founder of IMR, and her team members on July 31. Vatana thanked them for their tireless efforts, noting that Cambodia is fortunate to be among the 90 countries where IMR provides free, effective medical services. “I suggest that your team reach your 1,000,000th patient in the province where the Preah…
Since US President Donald Trump threw his support behind ceasefire talks between Thailand and Cambodia — leading to an end to hostilities on July 28 — Cambodian citizens have taken to social media to express their gratitude. Many have suggested that he should be nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for his part in the cessation of the border conflict. Trump’s portrait, with a range of supportive hashtags and messages, has been shared widely on social media, with the public showing their support for the American leader’s apparent concern for the lives of Cambodians and Thais. Hashtags like #ThanksTrump, #PresidentOfPeace…
Cambodia has asked for the release of a group of nearly 20 soldiers who taken prisoner by Thai soldiers on July 29, hours after the ceasefire began. Officials said they were remaining calm, to respect the ceasefire and de-escalate tensions on the border. Suos Yara, a member of the Cambodian National Assembly, told a journalist travelling with foreign military attachés on a tour of the border region today, July 30, that Cambodia believed that the men should be released immediately. “They are in the custody of the Thais, at least they confirmed that they had them,” said Yara, in a…
The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) is conducting an awareness campaign on cluster bombs and other explosive remnants of war (ERWs) for the displaced citizens staying at safe locations in Preah Vihear province, following widespread reporting that Thai soldiers used cluster bombs on Cambodian territory. Senior Minister Ly Thuch, CMAA first vice-president, explained that as a Khmer, he shares the pain of the displaced and wants to provide them with encouragement and hope. These individuals face fears and endure hardships during their displacement, but must unite in these dark times, he added. He explained that due to…
Cambodia’s foreign ministry has explained that the Kingdom wishes to see “impartial observers” investigate Thailand’s “misleading and fabricated accusations” that Cambodia has violated the US-supported July 28 ceasefire. The five-day exchange of fire saw Thailand employ some of their most advanced weapons systems, including US-made F-16 and Sweden-supplied Gripen fighter jets, drones and heavy artillery. Soviet-era BM21 rocket launchers were reportedly the most serious weapons used by Cambodia. While Cambodia declared that the border fell calm immediately after the ceasefire began, at midnight July 28, the next morning Thailand accused Cambodian forces of continuing to fire. The accusations have been…
Both a Cambodian government spokesperson and the Ministry of Defence spokesperson have repeatedly denied Thai accusations that Cambodian forces violated the ceasefire agreement after midnight last night. On July 29, a Thai army spokesperson, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson, and Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai each accused Cambodia of breaching the ceasefire both morning and evening, while Cambodian statements insisted its forces remained calm to de-escalate tensions. In a statement issued by the Thai government on the afternoon of July 29, Thailand claimed that Cambodian forces “violated the agreement by continuing indiscriminate attacks on Thai territory along various border areas,…