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Articles by Chea Sokny
Cambodia braces for record temperatures, early rains
March 25, 2024 PHNOM PENH – The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology urged relevant authorities and individuals to conserve the use of water, emphasising the necessity for them to exercise caution in hot and dry conditions, particularly rural people far from water sources.
UNICEF Cambodia issues advisory as soaring temps threaten children’s health
March 15, 2024 PHNOM PENH – UNICEF Cambodia has issued an advisory to the parents of small children, warning them of the threat pose by the current soaring temperatures and extreme weather conditions. “Children are more vulnerable to heatstroke than adults. More importantly, very young children may not be able to communicate their distress, and do not know how to protect themselves from heatstroke,” said UNICEF Cambodia, in a March 12 social media post.
Cambodian ministry working group to provide beggars assistance
March 1, 2024 PHNOM PENH – The Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation has shared plans to establish a working group to find solutions for people who beg, both those living with disabilities and those without. The aim is to find them a productive means of earning a livelihood, whether through work as professional musicians, or via vocational training.
Baby elephant death sparks ‘zero tolerance’ for poachers, trappers
January 29, 2024 PHNOM PENH – Environmental ranger inspect a baby elephant which was killed by poachers in Koh Nhek district, Mondulkiri province, on January 26. Information Ministry The Ministry of Environment has warned that zero tolerance will be applied to poachers, or the perpetrators of other wildlife crimes which take place in the Kingdom’s natural protected areas. The move followed last week’s discovery of a deceased elephant calf which was shot dead in Mondulkiri province.
Renovation transforms Preah Vihear Koh Ker temple area
January 29, 2024 PHNOM PENH – The National Authority for Preah Vihear (NAPV) has expanded its conservation and development plans for the Koh Ker temple complex, located in Preah Vihear province. The plans include construction of a meditation area and a car parking area for tourists, as well as the replacement of wooden staircases with metal ones. Kong Puthikar, NAPV director-general, said on January 23 that the authority is also undertaking conservation work on the temple’s towers.
Phnom Penh ranked 9th hottest destinat
January 12, 2024 PHNOM PENH – Tripadvisor, a US-based online travel agency, has ranked Phnom Penh as ninth among the top 25 most popular tourist destinations in the world for 2024. With this accolade, the Ministry of Tourism anticipates attracting a greater number of international tourists to Cambodia. A survey conducted by the agency on January 9 involved voting for the best destinations by tourists over the previous 12 months.
Cambodia’s health ministry issues warnings ahead of record high temperature forecast
December 28, 2023 PHNOM PENH – The Ministry of Health’s Communicable Disease Control Department (CDC) has advised people to be prepared to take precautions during the upcoming dry season in 2024, noting that temperatures are forecast to reach as high as 41 degrees Celsius. It recommended that vulnerable groups, such as children, pregnant women and the elderly in particular, should seek out shade and ensure they stay hydrated.
Endangered dholes discovered at Mondulkiri wildlife conservancy
December 18, 2023 PHNOM PENH – A pair of endangered dholes was discovered in Mondulkiri province’s Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary on December 13, bringing great joy to the Kingdom’s environmental protectors. Rangers from the environment ministry and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Cambodia came across the two dholes (Cuon alpinus), often known as the Asiatic wild dog, during a routine patrol.
Angkor Thanksgiving begins
December 8, 2023 MANILA – This year’s “Angkor Thanksgiving” festivities span 10 days, from December 7 to 16, featuring religious ceremonies, traditional performance art and enlightening exhibition booths. The event’s inauguration on December 7 commenced with a prayer ceremony at Angkor Wat Temple, led by Pich Chanmony, spouse of Prime Minister Hun Manet, and Minister of Culture and Fine Arts Phoeurng Sackona.
Cambodia’s LGBT community proposes marital equality discussions
December 7, 2023 PHNOM PENH – In a move towards fostering dialogue and collaboration, members of the LGBT community in Cambodia have suggested the formation of a joint working group led by the government. This endeavour aims to foster discussions and collective efforts towards the development of marriage laws tailored to the needs of LGBT individuals.
Kep selected for ‘world-class’ 2.7km beach development
November 13, 2023 PHNOM PENH – Kep province has been selected as the first site of a new coastal development initiative, with a “world-class” 2.7km beach planned for the near future. The Kep Provincial Administration met with the National Committee for Coastal Management and Development to discuss the development of the Kingdom’s four coastal provinces.
Cambodia welcomes the eighth dolphin calf of '23
Cambodia welcomes the eighth dolphin calf of '23 In a welcome development, Cambodia celebrated the birth of an Irriwaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) calf in Kratie province, bringing the total number of births to eight in the first ten months of this year. The birth was reported on November 4. Unfortunately, during the same period, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries also reported the loss of four adult dolphins.
New hospital buildings for Banteay Meanchey
New hospital buildings for Banteay Meanchey The Ministry of Health has inaugurated two buildings at two hospitals in Banteay Meanchey province. The two facilities were funded by a Christian association, in order to provide wider health services to the public. The first is a renovated facility at the Cambodia-Japan Friendship Hospital in Mongkol Borei district, and the second is a new building at the Preah Net Preah Referral Hospital.
Sihanoukville seeking to revive stalled developments, unfinished buildings
Sihanoukville seeking to revive stalled developments, unfinished buildings Concerned parties have unveiled strategies aimed at reinvigorating stalled investment projects in Preah Sihanouk province. These initiatives are intended to facilitate the completion of unfinished buildings and the resumption of investment activities within completed structures.
Oddar Meanchey facility safeguards over 1,000 artefacts
Oddar Meanchey facility safeguards over 1,000 artefacts The Oddar Meanchey provincial Department of Culture and Fine Arts has embarked on a mission to document and preserve the province's rich cultural heritage. Over a thousand artefacts, gathered from area hills and temple ruins, await a brighter future as they find home in a newly constructed storage facility.
Tourism departments prep for Sea Festival
Tourism departments prep for Sea Festival The Ministry of Tourism has instructed provincial authorities in the Kingdom's coastal areas to ensure that tourism service standards are kept high, ahead of next month's Sea Festival. Round three of the 10th Sea Festival will be held in Kep province from December 1 to 3, and will also feature an exhibition of locally produced goods.
Landmine incident prompts CMAA safety advisory
Landmine incident prompts CMAA safety advisory The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) continues to urge citizens to avoid entering areas with unclear histories or handling mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO). This advisory follows a recent incident in Banteay Meanchey province where a resident, while in a forest, inadvertently detonated a landmine, resulting in the loss of his left leg, as reported by CMAA on October 25.
Flood warnings issued in Cambodia as more rainstorms on way
October 25, 2023 PHNOM PENH – In slightly more than a month, more than 234,000 people have felt the impacts of flooding in Phnom Penh and 11 of the Kingdom’s provinces. A senior official from the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM) warned that heavy rainfalls are forecast to continue until the end of October.
Transport ministry reviews speed limit draft law
Transport ministry reviews speed limit draft law The Ministry of Public Works and Transport is reviewing a draft sub-decree on speed limits for all vehicles on roads to reduce traffic accidents. The draft, which comprises four chapters and 13 articles, was discussed among 25 leaders and relevant officials during an internal meeting lead by minister Peng Ponea on October 17. Adjustments were made to certain terms to better align with the current social context.
Angkor Wat bridge set to reopen in November
October 18, 2023 PHNOM PENH – The Spean Harl – the central bridge to Angkor Wat Temple – is scheduled to be reopened in early November. A repair team is working hard to prepare appropriate barriers to ensure the safety of the many tourists who will use it to access the ancient temple. Tourism industry insiders have expressed the view that the bridge will attract even more visitors to the famed temple.
Nation marks 11th anniversary of King Father's passing
Nation marks 11th anniversary of King Father's passing A day before his departure for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) forum in China, Prime Minister Hun Manet presided over a ceremony commemorating the 11th anniversary of the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk's passing.
Health minister lauds local reforms success
Health minister lauds local reforms success Minister of Health Chheang Ra lauded the achievements that the Ministry of Health has made under the new government, noting a pronounced increase in the efficiency of localised medical services. He said that in the 45 days since the establishment of Prime Minister Hun Manet's seventh mandate government, the leaders of the ministry have been focused on improving Cambodia's public health system.
Nationwide tech centres to boost digital learning
Nationwide tech centres to boost digital learning The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport to set up community technology centres in state high schools nationwide, aiming to further advance digital education. Telecommunications minister Chea Vandeth and education minister Hang Chuon Naron witnessed the signing of the MoU on October 9.
Calls for artists to support dolphins
Calls for artists to support dolphins Several officials - and representatives of civil society organisations working on natural resource conservation - have encouraged local community artists to create content or produce educational videos and artworks which will inspire people to love Cambodia's precious Irrawaddy dolphins. The campaign aims to raise public efforts to conserve this endangered species.
Union urges standardised wages for construction workers
Union urges standardised wages for construction workers The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training has said that the wages of construction workers will align with those of workers in other industries, after a union campaigned to urge the government to establish standardised wages for all. The Building and Wood Workers Trade Union Federation of Cambodia (BWTUC) made the call ahead of the World Day for Decent Work 2023 on October 7.
Oxfam, NSSF meet with labour leaders
Oxfam, NSSF meet with labour leaders Oxfam and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) on October 8 organised an annual forum for 140 local leaders and workers' representatives from five provinces to meet with social security operators and regulators, as well as health service providers.
NSSF card usage up with recognition of healthcare benefits
NSSF card usage up with recognition of healthcare benefits During the first half of the year, nearly 2.2 million of the more than 3.2 million members of the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training's National Social Security Fund (NSSF) used their membership cards to access medical services, said a ministry report. The service, which had previously been criticised, is now becoming more popular. "As of September, 1,518 health facilities throughout the Kingdom have signed agreements with the NSSF.
UN Women urge strict action against harassment, violence
UN Women urge strict action against harassment, violence UN Women has presented four recommendations to the nations of the Asia-Pacific region, aiming to drive transformative action, combat gender-based violence and address harassment in the workplace, with a focus on the factory sector.
Ministry preparing boost to provincial healthcare
Ministry preparing boost to provincial healthcare The Ministry of Health is set to begin efforts to enhance the implementation of service quality standards at healthcare centres in several provinces. Ministry secretary of state Or Vandine announced that the initiative will focus on centres in 13 provinces.
Concerns over draft cyber law allayed by official explanation
Concerns over draft cyber law allayed by official explanation Officials from the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications have provided an open explanation for the importance of recently drafted cybersecurity legislation, asserting that it aligns with both the Cambodia Digital Economy and Society Policy Framework and the digital government policy.
UXO casualties down one third to date in 2023
UXO casualties down one third to date in 2023 Officials from the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) reported that in the first nine months of the year, nearly 30 people were victims of unexploded ordnance (UXO), a reduction of around one third on the same period last year. It ascribed the positive reduction to the extensive efforts of the government and its partners to educate the public and carry out mine clearance.
Farmers advocating for social protection
Farmers advocating for social protection The Coalition of Cambodian Farmer Community (CCFC) is conducting the 16-day "Farmer Food System and Social Protection" campaign, with the objective of appealing to the government to provide social protection measures for both formal and informal economy farmers and workers. Theng Savoeun, director of the CCFC, said on October 3 that the campaign will run from October 1 to 16.
Accommodation prepared for national exam candidates
Accommodation prepared for national exam candidates Authorities in some provinces have announced the provision of free accommodation for students from remote areas who are taking this year's high school Baccalaureate exams. The examinations are being held on October 6 and 7. Koh Kong provincial governor Mithona Phouthong explained in an October 2 announcement that free accommodation will be provided to students, as well as their parents and guardians.
Preah Sihanouk head urges truck driver drug testing
Preah Sihanouk head urges truck driver drug testing Preah Sihanouk provincial governor Kuoch Chamroeun has directed town and district administrations to gather individuals without fixed addresses - with a particular focus on truck drivers - for drug testing. Users will be offered drug treatment services.
Donations sought for Siem Reap school kids
Donations sought for Siem Reap school kids Dai Ku Design, a local print and digital ad agency based in Siem Reap province, is seeking donations of school supplies and clothing for over 300 students at Ou Primary School in Siem Reap 's Chi Kraeng district. Many of these students' parents have gone to Thailand for work. Mao Yin, a volunteer with Dai Ku's outreach and fundraising team, said public donations will support the education of underprivileged children in Chi Kraeng district's Khvav commune.
Pay rise sought ahead of World Teachers' Day
Pay rise sought ahead of World Teachers' Day The Cambodian Independent Teachers Association (CITA) has urged the government to increase the minimum basic salary for teachers to a quarter of a lawmaker's salary. The appeal comes as CITA prepares to commemorate World Teachers' Day at Freedom Park on October 5. CITA announced plans to hold the celebration at Freedom Park in a September 30 letter.
P Sihanouk head urges truck driver drug testing
P Sihanouk head urges truck driver drug testing Preah Sihanouk provincial governor Kuoch Chamroeun has directed town and district administrations to gather individuals without fixed addresses - with a particular focus on truck drivers - for drug testing. Users will be offered drug treatment services.
Preah Vihear and Koh Ker welcome 100,000 visitors
Preah Vihear and Koh Ker welcome 100,000 visitors In the first nine months of 2023, Preah Vihear and Koh Ker temples in Preah Vihear province collectively welcomed over 100,000 visitors. The former saw more than 60,000 visitors, while Koh Ker temple complex - another archaeological site added to UNESCO World Heritage List last month - had over 40,000, as per the National Authority for Preah Vihear (NAPV).
Random drug tests to target prison officials, inmates: GDP
Random drug tests to target prison officials, inmates: GDP The Ministry of Interior's General Department of Prisons (GDP) has begun to implement nationwide drug testing. These measures target both officials and inmates suspected of drug use, aiming to enhance law enforcement within prisons and maintain a drug-free environment.
Kep preps for SEA Festival
Kep preps for SEA Festival Kep's provincial authorities have called on all residents and members of the armed forces to uphold public order, enhance environmental cleanliness and make infrastructure upgrades. The move comes as the province gears up for the 10th Sea Festival, set to take place from December 1-3.
Road safety committee urge precautions at Pchum Benh
Road safety committee urge precautions at Pchum Benh The National Road Safety Committee (NRSC) has called for the public to exercise caution on the roads while travelling during the traditional Kan Ben and Pchum Ben festivals. The festivities began on September 30 and will end on October 15, Pchum Ben Day.
Kandal empowering officials to safeguard vulnerable children
Kandal empowering officials to safeguard vulnerable children Hun Kosny, vice-chair of the Kandal provincial branch of the National Committee for Counter Trafficking, condemned all forms of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children. She stressed that these activities negatively impact children's development, social morals, dignity and the future development of Cambodia's human resources.
Kampong Speu ban U18s from all guesthouses
Kampong Speu ban U18s from all guesthouses In a bid to restrict anti-social behaviour and crack down on misbehaving youths, Kampong Speu provincial authorities have instructed guesthouse owners not to rent rooms to guests under the age of 18. The September 26 announcement has drawn some criticism from civil society organisations, who are concerned a blanket ban may adversely affect innocent members of the Kingdom's youth.
K Speu ban U18s from all guesthouses
K Speu ban U18s from all guesthouses In a bid to restrict anti-social behaviour and crack down on misbehaving youths, Kampong Speu provincial authorities have instructed guesthouse owners not to rent rooms to guests under the age of 18. The September 26 announcement has drawn some criticism from civil society organisations, who are concerned a blanket ban may adversely affect innocent members of the Kingdom's youth.
Preparations underway as boat races return to Phnom Penh
September 28, 2023 PHNOM PENH – Cambodia is gearing up for a series of exciting events across the county to celebrate the coming Water Festival, with boat races taking centre stage as a prominent feature of the revelries. Marking the culmination of the holiday period, the Water Festival, locally known as Bon Om Touk, is officially scheduled to take place from November 26-28, according to the 2023 calendar.
Health ministry warns of 'pink eye' outbreak
Health ministry warns of 'pink eye' outbreak Following the recent outbreak of nearly 100 cases of Conjunctivitis - often called "pink eye" - in Ratanakkiri province's O'Yadav district, the Ministry of Health has advised people to exercise preventative measures to reduce the spread of the disease. According to a September 26 press release from the ministry, health officials have taken immediate action and provided treatment to victims of the bacterial or viral infections.
Manet calling for continued assistance for mine-free'25
Manet calling for continued assistance for mine-free'25 Prime Minister Hun Manet has appealed to the international community to assist the Kingdom with meeting its objective of clearing landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) to realise the vision of a mine-free Cambodia. He appealed for ongoing financial and technical assistance.
Preparations underway as boat races return to capital
Preparations underway as boat races return to capital Cambodia is gearing up for a series of exciting events across the county to celebrate the coming Water Festival, with boat races taking centre stage as a prominent feature of the revelries. Marking the culmination of the holiday period, the Water Festival, locally known as Bon Om Touk, is officially scheduled to take place from November 26-28, according to the 2023 calendar.
Illegal logging claims in Preah Vihear sanctuary denied
Illegal logging claims in Preah Vihear sanctuary denied Local authorities have refuted claims by a Kuy ethnic minority group in Preah Vihear province that forest crimes persisted in Preah Roka Wildlife Sanctuary. They urged the community to collaborate with relevant authorities in joint efforts to preserve natural resources.
Ministry intensifying efforts in fight against child labour
Ministry intensifying efforts in fight against child labour The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training is intensifying its efforts to disseminate labour laws and legal documents related to child employment across Cambodia, with an emphasis on five provinces.
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