CamboJA
Months after US aid cuts, Cambodia’s free press still scrambles to survive
After the Trump administration this year axed most U.S. foreign aid and public broadcasters serving parts of the world with scant press freedom, the fallout laid bare the shaky crutch propping up independent media in underserved regions. ...
Sovann Sreypich
https://cambojanews.com/months-after-us-aid-cuts-cambodias-free-press-still-scrambles-to-survive/
Agro exports to Australia rise but farmers call for increased processing plants as pricing woe persists
Cambodia has exported 12 metric tonnes of nuts and dried fruit to Australia for the first time, with a larger and more diverse second shipment already planned. While the milestone signals a boost for the country’s agricultural products, farmers warn that unstable prices and a ...
Seoung Nimol and Long Somneang
https://cambojanews.com/agro-exports-to-australia-rise-but-farmers-call-for-increased-processing-plants-as-pricing-woe-persists/
Cambodia and Thailand to establish a coordinating group to strengthen communication
Cambodia and Thailand agreed in principle to establish a coordinating group (CG) to enhance communication at all levels, including between commanders, border liaison working groups, standing forces in the border areas, and operational units along the border, with the aim of resolving issues peacefully and ...
Khy Sovuthy
https://cambojanews.com/cambodia-and-thailand-to-establish-a-coordinating-group-to-strengthen-communication/
Interim observer team inspects village fenced up by Thai military using barbed wire in Banteay Meanchey
ASEAN defence attachés on Thursday visited the Cambodia–Thailand border in Banteay Meanchey province, where Thai armed forces illegally erected a fence using barbed wire and tires to block a road and encircle people’s houses in Prey Chan village, according to Cambodia’s National Defense Ministry. ...
Khuon Narim and Long Somneang
https://cambojanews.com/interim-observer-team-inspects-village-fenced-up-by-thai-military-using-barbed-wire-in-banteay-meanchey/
Displaced people likely to suffer from mental health conditions due to border conflict
While older villagers living along the border of Cambodia and Thailand can unmistakably identify the loud popping sounds of gunshots, having experienced life under Khmer Rouge, the same sounds caused fear and anxiety for thousands following the recent Cambodia-Thailand conflict. ...
ACU suspends Deputy Head Sean Borath over $200M brilliant city fraud case
The Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) has suspended their deputy chairman Sean Borath, who is also the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, after an investigation found him and Sar Thavy, Undersecretary of State of the Ministry of National Defense, allegedly connected ...
Sovann Sreypich and Lon Saoda
https://cambojanews.com/acu-suspends-deputy-head-sean-borath-over-200m-brilliant-city-fraud-case/
Nothing like home – displaced cambodian families leave shelters in droves as calm settles along the border
Thousands of displaced people in shelters in Preah Vihear province have started returning home, finally able to check on their livestock and farms which were abandoned abruptly at the height of the conflict. ...
War crimes, legal breaches under probe as border holds uneasy calm
After five-days of border clashes last month that left at least 40 dead, mostly civilians according to official figures, Cambodia and Thailand are still trading accusations of first aggression and violations of international law, as investigators work to verify the claims. ...
Seoung Nimol
https://cambojanews.com/war-crimes-legal-breaches-under-probe-as-border-holds-uneasy-calm/
US to establish AMT to ensure ceasefire, use of space-based tech to monitor, Tea Seiha says
Ahead of the General Border Committee (GBC) meeting on Thursday, National Defense Minister Tea Seiha met with the U.S. Indo-Pacific commander to discuss the effective implementation of the ceasefire deal reached with Thailand. ...
Khuon Narim and Rafael Liebowitz-Thayer
https://cambojanews.com/us-to-establish-amt-to-ensure-ceasefire-use-of-space-based-tech-to-monitor-tea-seiha-says/
Cambodian owners vow to dissolve contract with PTT, rebrand as Khmer Biz
Business owners in Cambodia have vowed to terminate their contract with Thai brand PTT with the intention of promoting local products. This decision comes as thousands of shop owners and employees face declining revenue and job losses due to a widespread boycott of Thai-imported products. ...
Lon Saoda
https://cambojanews.com/cambodian-owners-vow-to-dissolve-contract-with-ptt-rebrand-as-khmer-biz/
Cambodia-Thailand clashes lull, social media battles carry on
Shelling between Thai and Cambodian forces has eased after a fragile ceasefire was reached in Malaysia on July 28, but the information war between the countries’ netizens continues to unfold online. ...
Rafael Liebowitz-Thayer
https://cambojanews.com/cambodia-thailand-clashes-lull-social-media-battles-carry-on/
Cambodia awaits return of 20 soldiers as border tensions persist
Cambodia’s Defense Ministry said that they have received the body of one of its soldiers and are awaiting the return of 20 captured troops from the Thai side. ...
CamboJA Staff
https://cambojanews.com/cambodia-awaits-return-of-20-soldiers-as-border-tensions-persist/
Kem Sokha allowed to attend soldier funerals under court watch
Kem Sokha, one of the country’s most prominent opposition leaders facing long-running legal battles, was briefly allowed out of house arrest Thursday to attend funerals for soldiers killed in recent border clashes with Thailand, his lawyer said. ...
Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/kem-sokha-allowed-to-attend-soldier-funerals-under-court-watch/
Cambodia says US praised trade talks, but 36% tariff still set
A Cambodian official said the country has received praise from Washington for the ongoing negotiation as the U.S. prepares to enforce sweeping new tariffs on August 1, trading partners without separate trade deals could soon face steep duties ranging from 15% to 20%. ...
Seoung Nimol and Long Somneang
https://cambojanews.com/cambodia-gains-u-s-praise-amid-global-tariff-hike-set-for-august-1/
As U.N. meeting ends with call for peace, Thai troops open fire in Cambodia’s Pursat province
At 5.02 a.m on July 26, a few hours after the UN Security Council closed-door meeting concluded, Thailand expanded its shooting, firing five heavy artillery shells at multiple locations in Veal Veng district, Pursat province, according Maly Socheata, spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense. ...
Seoung Nimol
https://cambojanews.com/as-u-n-meeting-ends-with-call-for-peace-thai-troops-open-fire-in-cambodias-pursat-province/
Thailand continues to open fire at Cambodia even as it agreed with trump to a ceasefire
Thai military continued to fight with Cambodia even though both parties agreed in principle to a ceasefire with US President Donald Trump. ...
Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/thailand-continues-to-open-fire-at-cambodia-even-as-it-agreed-with-trump-to-a-ceasefire/
Government rejects alarming deforestation report despite rise in forest cover loss in Cambodia’s protected forests
A new report by Citizens Engaged in Environmental Justice for All (CEEJA) on forest monitoring revealed that Cambodia has lost 120,829 hectares of tree cover in 2023, with nearly half occurring inside these protected areas. The Ministry of Environment has dismissed the report’s findings. ...
Sovann Sreypich and Long Somneang
https://cambojanews.com/government-rejects-alarming-deforestation-report-despite-rise-in-forest-cover-loss-in-cambodias-protected-forests/
Constitution amended to permit Cambodian citizenship stripping
King Norodom Sihamoni promulgated an amendment to the Constitution on July 15, allowing Cambodian citizenship to be stripped from individuals. The move came just one day after the Senate passed the amendment. ...
Seoung Nimol
https://cambojanews.com/constitution-amended-to-permit-cambodian-citizenship-stripping/
Senator’s casino, fleeing compound not hit in growing scam raids
Raids on suspected online scam rings rolled out across Cambodia on Thursday night, but major known compounds were left untouched – even as hundreds were seen fleeing one of them and boarding buses, underscoring reports that operations had continued despite a supposed crackdown last year. ...
Coby Hobbs and Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/senators-casino-fleeing-compound-not-hit-in-growing-scam-raids/
Officials ordered to dismantle scams, but past failures shadow effort
The Cambodian government has ordered a nationwide crackdown on online scams, citing rising threats from foreign criminal networks, as international pressure mounts over alleged state complicity and Thailand ramps up its own response amid a tense border dispute. ...
Seoung Nimol and Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/officials-ordered-to-dismantle-scams-but-past-failures-shadow-effort/
Boeung Tamok villagers sentenced to one month jail for protesting land deal
Former nine Boeung Tamok villagers have been sentenced to one month jail for protesting against a land acquisition, despite agreeing to accept the government’s land exchange policy. The verdict caused confusion and sadness among the community. ...
Sovann Sreypich
https://cambojanews.com/boeung-tamok-villagers-sentenced-to-one-month-jail-for-protesting-land-deal/
Lawmakers clear path to strip citizenship
Lawmakers unanimously approved a constitutional change Friday paving the way for Cambodians accused of foreign collusion to be stripped of their citizenship, a move critics say could be used to silence dissent. ...
Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/lawmakers-clear-path-to-strip-citizenship/
Civic space monitor flags judicial crackdowns, rising threats to dissent in Cambodia
Cambodia’s courts remain politicized and opaque, reinforcing impunity for those who target activists and government critics, rights group CIVICUS said Wednesday. ...
Seoung Nimol
https://cambojanews.com/civic-space-monitor-flags-judicial-crackdowns-rising-threats-to-dissent-in-cambodia/
Nine years on, activists mark Kem Ley’s murder, demand justice
More than 100 unionists, youth activists and opposition members gathered at a Phnom Penh gas station on Thursday where political analyst and rights activist Kem Ley was shot dead nine years ago while drinking his morning coffee. ...
Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/nine-years-on-activists-mark-kem-leys-murder-demand-justice/