Cambodian officials are currently studying the possibility of joining the “Six Countries, One Destination” visa policy. The Thai government initiative aims to facilitate cross-border travel for tourists among six regional nations. Cambodian Minister of Tourism Huot Hak met with Thai officials Dusit Manapan and Chayika Wongnapachant, advisors to Thai foreign minister Maris Sangiampongsa, on October 21. The Bangkok Post reported today that during the meeting, Hak had “agreed” in principle to the initiative and will continue discussions with relevant Cambodian ministries, including the Ministry of Interior, before submitting the proposal to the Cambodian government for review, ahead of an upcoming…
Author: Niem Chheng
Newly-appointed Minister of Tourism Huot Hak, who until recently served as Minister of Inspections, has called the Kingdom’s citizens and international guests to play their part in promoting Cambodia as a tourist destination, while assuring the public that the tourism ministry is actively working with all relevant stakeholders to revive this crucial sector. Hak returned from China on October 20, after attending a Lbokator-Shaolin performance in Henan province, an event which was a highlight of the 13th International Shaolin Wushu Festival on October 19. He explained to the media that as a government administration, the ministry has prepared detailed plans…
The extension of certain tax exemptions for tourism enterprises in Siem Reap province is seen as a cost reduction and a contribution to the gradual recovery of the province’s tourism sector, albeit to varying degrees, according to analysts. The Ministry of Economy and Finance issued a proclamation providing tax incentives for tourism enterprises in Siem Reap, specifically for the years 2024 and 2025. This was announced in a statement dated October 10 and recently made public. Eligible enterprises, including hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and travel agencies, will be exempt from paying monthly taxes of all types until the end of June…
A leading analyst has described how Prime Minister Hun Manet’s personal attendance at the inauguration of Indonesia’s new President Prabowo Subianto and Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka showcases the close relationship between the two nations. Manet will depart Cambodia on October 19 to attend the October 20 inauguration of Indonesia’s new leaders. He will lead a high-level delegation which includes Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sok Chenda Sophea, Minister of Commerce Cham Nimul and Senior Minister in charge of special missions Othsman Hassan, as well as other officials, according to a statement by the Cambodian foreign ministry. Prabowo, 72,…
Deputy Prime Minister Koeut Rith, Minister of Justice, has revealed the possibility that minor criminal cases – that do not involve physical harm or security issues – could potentially be resolved through mediation, providing both parties can come to an agreement at the prosecution stage. Speaking at the October 16 closing ceremony of the annual meeting of the Bar Association of the Kingdom of Cambodia (BAKC) and the announcement of the new BAKC president, Rith explained that the justice ministry is currently discussing amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure, as a part of ongoing justice system reforms. “The ministry…
The newly elected president of the Bar Association of the Kingdom of Cambodia (BAKC) has pledged to guide the institution toward success, despite several challenges facing the legal profession, including issues with defending clients during the judicial police phase. Saing Vannak, 49, who has been practicing law since 2006, was elected as president of the BAKC for its 15th mandate, covering 2024 to 2026. He stated that his candidacy was driven by a desire to strengthen and elevate the dignity and excellence of the legal profession, aiming for prosperity in the field. After the election results were announced on October…
In nearly one year since its opening on October 16, 2023, Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI) has handled 1,300,048 passengers and facilitated 14,556 flights, according to the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA). The SSCA also reported that, as of September 30, more than 82 tonnes of cargo had been transported through the airport. By the end of 2024, the number of travellers is expected to reach 1.5 million. In the first nine months of 2024, SAI recorded 10,989 flights, marking a 24 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. During this time, over 970,000 passengers passed…
Cambodia has restructured the management of its peacekeeping forces, transferring responsibility from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to the Ministry of National Defence. Prime Minister Hun Manet explained that peacekeeping missions are closely tied to national defence during the 30th-anniversary celebration of the establishment of Brigade 70 on October 15. “Last night [October 14], I decided, after discussions with [defence minister] Tea Seiha and [foreign minister] Sok Chenda Sophea, to restructure the management of the National Coordination Committee of UN Peacekeeping Operations, which was previously led by the foreign minister,” he said. “We decided to transfer this…
Prime Minister Hun Manet has instructed the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and Royal Railway Cambodia to expedite discussions and finalise a memorandum of understanding (MoU), aimed to enhance the Kingdom’s rail infrastructure, by the end of the year. Speaking at a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of Cambodia’s ascension to the World Trade Organization on October 14, Manet noted that negotiations on this matter had been stalled for many years and should not be delayed any further. “Therefore, I ask Okhna Kith Meng [the owner of Royal Railways] and transport minister Peng Ponea to conclude the negotiations for…