CamboJA
Report: Foreign-funded infrastructure projects need more scrutiny for quality control
As foreign funders drive the construction of major new infrastructure projects in Cambodia, an inconsistent regulatory approach may be opening lanes for shoddy construction. ...
Seoung Nimol
https://cambojanews.com/report-foreign-funded-infrastructure-projects-need-more-scrutiny-for-quality-control/
Garment Exports Up, But Workers Worried About Factory Closures
Phon Touch and Teang Sreytouch have been working for years in Cambodia’s garment industry, but now the two women are worried they could join the thousands of others in the sector who’ve been laid off without proper compensation. ...
Sorn Sarath
https://cambojanews.com/garment-exports-up-but-workers-worried-about-factory-closures/
Cambodians report scams in online shopping experiences
In Cambodia, online shopping – typically on smartphones and tablets – is becoming increasingly popular due to its convenience. However, this presents significant issues for less technologically savvy buyers, who may be more vulnerable to scams, especially when shopping on social media. ...
Try Thaney
https://cambojanews.com/cambodians-report-scams-in-online-shopping-experiences/
Hun Manet says press freedom is alive and well in Cambodia
The likely prime ministerial successor Hun Manet has downplayed worsening restrictions on press freedoms, as civil society groups continue to warn of a deteriorating space for civil rights. ...
Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/hun-manet-says-press-freedom-is-alive-and-well-in-cambodia/
Boys more at risk of dropping out of school at secondary levels
Rochom Sokha, 19, decided to drop out of school last year when he was in grade eight. Now, he is farming with his family in his hometown to help support them, as his four younger siblings are still in school. ...
Ngay Nai
https://cambojanews.com/boys-more-at-risk-of-dropping-out-of-school-at-secondary-levels/
Appeal trial held for ‘Adhoc 5’ over bribery case
The Court of Appeal on Thursday heard the case of the “Adhoc 5”, five current and former staffers of the rights group who in September 2018 were found guilty of bribing a mistress of former opposition leader Kem Sokha. ...
Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/appeal-trial-held-for-adhoc-5-over-bribery-case/
Environmental activists call for genuine justice for the slain Chut Wutty
Ten years on, both civil society groups and the family of slain environmental activist Chut Wutty non-governmental organizations are calling for justice. ...
Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/environmental-activists-call-for-genuine-justice-for-the-slain-chut-wutty/
Illegal logging at Areng continues with lack of action by local authorities
Areng, an ecotourism site in Koh Kong’s Thmor Bang district, is being threatened by logging. ...
Sovann Sreypich
https://cambojanews.com/illegal-logging-at-areng-continues-with-lack-of-action-by-local-authorities/
U.S. report highlights human rights abuses by Cambodian armed forces
The U.S. Department of State’s 2021 country report on human rights pertaining to Cambodia, released on Tuesday, found that Cambodian government officials continue to violate human rights – notably, by threatening the use of force against political opponents of Prime Minister Hun Sen. ...
Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/u-s-report-highlights-human-rights-abuses-by-cambodian-armed-forces/
Oral community to block entrance to forestland to protect from military clearance
Villagers in the Oral district of Kampong Speu province are digging in to protect what they claim as their community forest land, despite increasing pressure from the military to leave the site. ...
Sorn Sarath
https://cambojanews.com/oral-community-to-block-entrance-to-forestland-to-protect-from-military-clearance/
Land rights activist flees Cambodia, saying she received death threat
Land rights activist Sat Pha, who was convicted of incitement last August in relation to a protest one year earlier outside the Chinese embassy, has fled Cambodia saying a death threat was posted on her door in Phnom Penh. ...
Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/land-rights-activist-flees-cambodia-saying-she-received-death-threat/
High Fuel Prices a Blow to Cambodia’s Covid-hit Tourism Sector
The Cambodian government has lifted all COVID-19 travel restrictions in the hopes of boosting the hard-hit tourism industry, but now businesses say sanctions on Russia and the resulting high energy prices are hampering the sector’s recovery. ...
Sorn Sarath
https://cambojanews.com/high-fuel-prices-a-blow-to-cambodias-covid-hit-tourism-sector/
Like father like son, Hun Manet appears to model Hun Sen’s political rhetoric
Since being endorsed by the Cambodian People’s Party in December as the ruling party’s only prime minister candidate, Hun Manet is increasingly appearing in public, taking his father’s place at events ranging from the inauguration of military buildings to road openings. ...
Sorn Sarath
https://cambojanews.com/like-father-like-son-hun-manet-appears-to-model-hun-sens-political-rhetoric/
Experts put drop in recorded TB cases down to pandemic
The number of people who were treated for tuberculosis in 2021 decreased 26 percent compared to the previous year, according to the National Center for Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control (CENAT), which said the COVID-19 pandemic was responsible for the drop. ...
Khy Sovuthy
https://cambojanews.com/experts-put-drop-in-recorded-tb-cases-down-to-pandemic/
Development of mega-airport continues, despite opposition by locals
Families who have to make way for Phnom Penh’s new mega airport are refusing to relocate to land set aside for them, and are demanding more monetary compensation for what they’re being forced to vacate. ...
Sorn Sarath and Seoung Nimol
https://cambojanews.com/development-of-mega-airport-continues-despite-opposition-by-locals/
Kep vendors and fishermen worried about land reclamation impacts
Vendors and fishermen in Kep province have expressed their concerns over the development of a new beach as part of a state-owned project, with nearly three kilometers of land being dumped into the sea. ...
Sovann Sreypich
https://cambojanews.com/kep-vendors-and-fishermen-worried-about-land-reclamation-impacts/
Tatok community members waiting for land titles in dispute over ownership
The Tatok community is located alongside canal 03 in Phnom Penh’s Dangkor district, where 35 families live. They are waiting for City Hall to issue them land titles after submitting their petition in late 2018. ...
Sovann Sreypich
https://cambojanews.com/tatok-community-members-waiting-for-land-titles-in-dispute-over-ownership/
Oral forest activists protest legal case against them over land dispute
Six forest community representatives in Kampong Speu province’s Oral district were questioned by the Provincial Court on Wednesday for intentionally causing damage, threatening, publicly insulting, and incitement. ...
Som Sarath
https://cambojanews.com/oral-forest-activists-protest-legal-case-against-them-over-land-dispute/
Migrants still slipping through closed Thai-Cambodian border, despite pandemic fears
In April, 18-year-old Sophoth illegally crossed the Thai-Cambodian border to work at a factory. In July, he was arrested and sent back through a legal border checkpoint. His journey mirrors that of many Cambodian workers who continue to cross into Thailand each month despite the ...
Chea Sokny and Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/migrants-still-slipping-through-closed-thai-cambodian-border-despite-pandemic-fears/
Families affected by land dispute with Defense Ministry still wait for compensation
Hundreds of families affected by a land dispute with the Ministry of Defense in Kandal province, are still waiting for compensation and a resolution six weeks after violence broke out. ...
Sorn Sarath
https://cambojanews.com/families-affected-by-land-dispute-with-defense-ministry-still-wait-for-compensation/
Cambodia’s economic growth forecast downgraded as COVID-19 cases rise
The UK-based Fitch Ratings credit rating agency has downgraded Cambodia’s economic outlook below the World Bank’s baseline forecast of 4 percent GDP growth for 2021 as the country continues to struggle with the economic shock of the COVID-19 pandemic. ...
Sorn Sarath
https://cambojanews.com/cambodias-economic-growth-forecast-downgraded-as-covid-19-cases-rise/
As ecotourism grows in popularity, so does a garbage problem
After a lengthy trek from the nearest village, Lim Sengleang finally reached the peak of Khnong Phsar on a clear day in June. The fresh air and striking views of the surrounding Cardamom Mountains made the hike well worth the effort, said the 26-year-old Phnom ...
Sam Sopich
https://cambojanews.com/as-ecotourism-grows-in-popularity-so-does-a-garbage-problem/
Large-scale Mekong River landfilling draws concern eco-system and water way
Almost every day for the past year about a dozen boats carrying thousands of cubic meters of sand dump their load at Koh Norea, a small tip of land where the Mekong spills into the Bassac river. According to workers at the site, the sand ...
Sorn Sarath
https://cambojanews.com/large-scale-mekong-river-landfilling-draws-concern-eco-system-and-water-way/
Rights groups appeal for prisons testing, as Hun Sen solicits vaccine funds
Three international and domestic rights groups said the government must test prisoners who may have been exposed to an Interior Ministry official who had the disease, with Prime Minister Hun Sen focused on soliciting funds for vaccine acquisitions. ...
Sorn Sarath
https://cambojanews.com/rights-groups-appeal-for-prisons-testing-as-hun-sen-solicits-vaccine-funds/