Friday, 6 February 2026
Cambodia asks France to provide historical evidence to help settle Thai border dispute
By Reuters
February 5, 20268:09 AM GMTUpdated 10 hours ago
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet attends the retreat session of the 45th ASEAN Summit at the National Convention Centre in Vientiane, Laos, October 9, 2024. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha
PHNOM PENH, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has asked France to provide historical documents to help resolve an enduring border dispute with Thailand that twice spilled over into armed conflict last year, Cambodia's foreign ministry said on Thursday.
Hun Manet wrote to French President Emmanuel Macron asking for access to any historical and technical documents that France might have that relate to the border, and also welcomed France's expertise and advisory support, the foreign ministry said in a statement dated February 4.
The 817-km (508-mile) border was first mapped by France in 1907, when Cambodia was its colony, and was based on the natural watershed dividing the country from Thailand.
Disputed territories include several renowned historical sites, including the 11th century Hindu temple Preah Vihear, known to Thais as the Khao Phra Viharn.
France's Embassy in Cambodia and the Thai foreign ministry did not immediately respond to separate requests for comment.
Thursday, 5 February 2026
Boeing and Air Cambodia Announce Airline's Largest Single-Aisle Order for up to 20 737 MAX Jets
News provided by
Boeing
Feb 03, 2026, 02:08 ET
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- Southeast Asian carrier places its first order with Boeing, boosting regional growth with the fuel-efficient 737-8
- The 737 MAX will be the first Boeing airplanes operated by a Cambodian airline
SINGAPORE, Feb. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Air Cambodia today announced the airline's largest single-aisle order for up to 20 737 MAX airplanes in an agreement unveiled at the Singapore Airshow. This marks the Southeast Asian carrier's first purchase of fuel-efficient Boeing airplanes.
The airline finalized its firm order for 10 737-8 jets and opportunity for 10 more in December 2025. The order was previously unidentified on Boeing's Orders and Deliveries website.
New Boeing customer, Air Cambodia, orders up to 20 737 MAX jets that will fly in the airline’s new livery.
With the 737 MAX, Air Cambodia will renew and grow its fleet as air travel serves an increasing role in connecting people and places throughout the region. The airline will leverage the 737-8's capabilities, efficiency and passenger comfort features for its expanding network of high-demand routes across Asia.
"The 737-8 gives Air Cambodia the ideal combination of range, capacity and fuel efficiency to support our next phase of growth," said Dr. David Zhan, CEO of Air Cambodia. "This investment – Air Cambodia's largest narrowbody purchase – will let us launch direct services to important markets across North and Southeast Asia, and offer competitively priced travel for passengers, while creating local jobs and training opportunities that strengthen our communities."
The 737-8, which can fly up to 178 passengers in a two-class configuration with a range up to 3,500 nautical miles (6,480 km), is well-suited to support the airline's growing regional network. Air Cambodia will benefit from the airplane's flexible capacity and lower operating costs due to a 20% reduction in fuel use and emissions compared to the airplanes it replaces.
"We are proud to welcome Air Cambodia as our newest 737 MAX customer and look forward to partnering with them to introduce the versatile and reliable 737-8 to the Kingdom of Cambodia," said Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing. "We are committed to supporting the growth of aviation in Cambodia and throughout the region as Air Cambodia strengthens ties across Asia with these fuel-efficient airplanes."
Wednesday, 4 February 2026
ប្អូនស្រី ឡី ហុងលី ទាំងស្អាត ទាំងពូកែ មានសមត្ថភាពមិនធម្មតា!
"In the Ukraine-Russia conflict drones are an integral feature of armies on both sides and there have been a number of Ukrainian youths who are highly skilled in the use of drones who have been recruited into the military and rendering outstanding service to their nation.
In fact, most countries including Thailand have watched and learned from the modern role, indispensability and deployment of drones in any armed conflict yet, the Cambodian military, for whatever reasons, have not, making Cambodia's national defence - already comparatively disadvantaged - at an even more handicapped level - as have been witnessed in the recent armed clashes. From surveillance to transport and combat, drones are essential and an integral part of military strategy and personnel.
Be smart and be resourceful with what you have so as not to make yourself a victim of others' aggression."
-Social media
Tuesday, 3 February 2026
Cambodia protests Thai activities at Tamone, Ta Krabei temple sites

Saturday, 31 January 2026
Wednesday, 28 January 2026
Tuesday, 27 January 2026
A US warship is making a friendship visit to a Cambodian naval base upgraded with China’s help
By SOPHENG CHEANG
Updated 12:43 PM GMT, January 24, 2026
The completion of a new pier and dry dock at Ream has fueled concerns in Washington that China — Cambodia’s close ally and main provider of aid and investment — may have been granted exclusive access to the base.
Controversy has persisted since 2019 over reports of a potential 30-year agreement for Chinese military use of the site on the Gulf of Thailand. Although Beijing funded the base’s expansion, the Cambodian government has denied any agreement for exclusive Chinese privileges.
Prime Minister Hun Manet, who oversaw the base’s reopening in April 2025, has maintained that Ream is open to all friendly nations for joint exercises, provided the ships are not too large for the facility.
The Cincinnati is an Independence-class littoral combat ship, meaning it is designed to to operate close to shore and can operate in shallower waters than other warships. Its crew of about 100 is scheduled to engage in sporting events and other activities in the nearby city of Sihanoukville during its Jan. 24-28 visit.
“At this location our government has worked very hard to build this port so that all foreign vessels that wish to dock in Cambodia can do so,” In Sokhemra, the deputy commander of the base, told reporters gathered shipside.
Sunday, 25 January 2026
មន្ត្រីបក្សប្រឆាំងស្នើឱ្យរដ្ឋាភិបាលស៊ើបអង្កេតករណីមេប៉ូលិសចោទកងកម្លាំងថ្នាក់ក្រោមថារត់ចោលសមរភូមិ
Internal corruption, lack of discipline, disunity and poor leadership are the country's biggest foes, not the Thais.
&&&
អំពើពុករលួយផ្ទៃក្នុង កង្វះវិន័យ ភាពមិនចុះសម្រុង និងភាពជាអ្នកដឹកនាំមិនល្អ គឺជាសត្រូវដ៏ធំបំផុតរបស់ប្រទេស មិនមែនជនជាតិថៃទេ។
-Social media
Saturday, 24 January 2026
US attaché says Cambodian troop deployments at temples “normal”
The Thais can't seem to see the distinction between 'defensive' presence and 'offensive presence' at all and use their feigned ignorance to bombard these sacred temple sites, including the Preah Vihear temple. Also these ancient temples happen to perch right on top of the mountain range which falls within Cambodia's legally legitimate sovereignty according to the Franco-Siamese treaties of 1904-1907 which Thailand continues to refuse to recognise even after the 1962 ICJ verdict on Cambodia's ownership of the Preah Vihear temple and its vicinity.
Accusing Cambodian troops of using these temples as "bunkers" has become the Thai military's favourite pretext for its callous destruction and desecration of these sacred sites, including the now severely damaged Preah Vihear temple which is listed as UNESCO's World Heritage Site. If there were no Cambodian troops stationed at all in these areas that fall within Cambodian sovereignty Thai troops would have simply walked into these areas without having to fire a single bullet, as they did in 1954 following the withdrawal of French colonial forces. The lightly armed Cambodian troops stationed at these temples for defensive purposes, moreover, posed no offensive threat to Thailand unless they were attacked first, mostly by Thai artillery and rockets.
This is not the first time either that Thailand showed such disregard or vengeance towards Cambodia's sacred sites. Following the 1962 ICJ judgement over the Preah Vihear dispute the Thai army reportedly used elephants to pull down several central columns of the temple in obvious show of displeasure and revenge. Why else would they bomb Ta Krobey and Preah Vihear temples or demolish the Vishnu statue in the area during and after the recent clashes?
These despicable actions could only speak of the moral depravity; callousness and barbarity of the perpetrators behind them while at the same time expose beyond any doubt the hypocrisy, lies and shamelessness of their apologists who are all too familiar on this site and other social media forums.
-Social media
***
Thursday, 22 January 2026
Why a ceasefire must also prevent unequal gains
At
first glance, the recent Nikkei Asia report on Cambodia’s annexation
fears along the Thai border reads as a familiar post-conflict human
story; displaced villagers, damaged homes, and families struggling to
return after fighting subsides. Yet a closer reading reveals something
more consequential. The article documents not merely the aftermath of
war, but a deeper problem “the fighting has stopped, but the situation
on the ground is still changing”.
The
most striking point in the Nikkei report is not what happened during
the fighting, but what happened after it ended. Following the December
ceasefire, villagers in Chouk Chey found their access blocked by barbed
wire, stacked shipping containers, and warning signs that banned entry.
These measures were not put in place during shelling or air strikes.
They appeared after the fighting had stopped. In ceasefire situations,
timing is important.
Actions
taken after a truce cannot easily be explained as part of the chaos of
war. Instead, they raise questions about whether the ceasefire is truly
bringing stability or quietly changing the situation on the ground.
From
this point of view, the ceasefire described by Nikkei appears more
tactical than restorative. It has stopped the violence, but it has not
allowed civilians to return, move freely, or regain life as it was
before the conflict. Cambodian officials quoted in the article warn that
this situation shows how fragile the ceasefire is. A ceasefire that
prevents people from going back to their homes risks becoming only a
temporary pause, rather than a step toward long-term stability.
Cambodia has lodged a fresh diplomatic protest against Thailand
Seven Officials Stripped of Rank in Cambodia Amid Trafficking Allegations

Photo shows Interior Minister Sar Sokha. Photo from Interior Ministry
By: Teng Yalirozy
January 20, 2026, 6:45 PM
00:00 / 03:36
“The Cambodian scam industry generates billions of dollars annually and
could not have operated on this scale without the protection or
complicity of individuals far more powerful than a deputy director
general of immigration,”
Among those removed is Lt. Gen. Sok Ly Huot, a three-star general who served as deputy director general of the Interior Ministry’s General Department of Immigration. A sub-decree dated January 8 and circulated on January 19 demoted him to a standard official position.
Interior Ministry spokesperson Touch Sokhak said Sok Ly Huot was dismissed due to “personal issues” that affected his job performance and the overall quality of the department, declining to provide further details.
At the same time, six police and provincial officials based at the Stung Treng Provincial Police Headquarters were also demoted for facilitating the illegal entry of Lao nationals into Cambodia through the Cambodia–Laos border, Sokhak said.
Wednesday, 21 January 2026
Alleged scam mastermind arrested after being exposed by BBC
BBC Eye
Published
20 January 2026
Cambodian authorities have arrested a prominent businessman featured in a 2023 BBC Eye investigation into alleged online scam operations as part of a wider effort to tackle organised online fraud.
Kuong Li, a 50-year-old Cambodian national, was charged with illegal recruitment for exploitation, aggravated fraud, organised crime and money laundering relating to alleged offences committed in Cambodia and elsewhere since 2019.
On 15 January, a Phnom Penh court ordered him to be remanded in custody pending further proceedings.
Kuong Li was featured in The Pig Butchering Romance Scam, a BBC Eye investigation into allegations of human trafficking and fraud inside scam compounds in South East Asia.
That programme, broadcast in March 2023, focused in part on the Huang Le compound, a venue under Kuong Li's ownership in the coastal city of Sihanoukville.
Image caption,
The Huang Le compound, located in the coastal city of Sihanoukville, consists of a number of multi-storey buildings
Tuesday, 20 January 2026
What Trump’s visa pause means for Southeast Asia and US regional priorities
The move reflects an ‘America first’ policy approach and treats certain allies in the region as ‘strategically insignificant’, analysts say

Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and Thailand are among countries affected by the United States’ 75-country visa suspension. Photo: TNS
Published: 2:00pm, 17 Jan 2026
Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and Thailand are among countries affected by the indefinite suspension, set to take effect on January 21, as the Donald Trump administration continues to roll out punitive measures to drastically restrict immigration.
The list, released by the US Department of State on Wednesday, is targeted at countries embroiled in conflict, but also extends to long-standing American allies and others with a long history of relations with Washington.
The four Southeast Asian nations are among 13 Asia-Pacific countries hit by the restrictions, aimed at preventing “the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits”.

Fox News reported that a US State Department memo had instructed consular officers to refuse visa applications under existing laws until the department reviewed and updated its screening procedures.
Sunday, 18 January 2026
Saturday, 17 January 2026
Friday, 16 January 2026
Thursday, 15 January 2026
Cambodia looks to reduce reliance on China amid US trade war
Deputy PM says Trump’s ‘liberation day’ tariffs were a ‘wake-up call’ for country’s dependence on Beijing
A. Anantha Lakshmi in Phnom Penh
PublishedJan 14 2026
FT
Cambodia is looking to reduce its reliance on China, its long-standing ally and largest foreign investor, as it seeks to shield its economy from the superpower rivalry between Washington and Beijing, its deputy prime minister has said.
China is Cambodia’s largest donor and trading partner, accounting for more than half of all investments into the country. It is also the largest source of raw materials for Cambodia’s export-focused manufacturing industry, making the latter vulnerable to US efforts to reduce Beijing’s role in global supply chains.
US President Donald Trump initially threatened Cambodia last year with 49 per cent tariffs — the highest rate after China. Phnom Penh has since managed to negotiate the levy down to 19 per cent, in line with its south-east Asian neighbours.
“We had a wake-up call when President Trump declared ‘liberation day’,” Cambodia’s deputy prime minister Sun Chanthol told the FT. “We cannot count on one country.”
Cambodia says Thai troops still occupy civilian areas, testing December truce
By Devjyot Ghoshal and Martin Petty
January 14, 20266:34 AM GMTUpdated January 14, 2026
- Summary
- Foreign minister urges Thailand to honour ceasefire terms
- Thailand dismisses occupation accusations as 'baseless'
- Cambodia seeks more talks with Thailand, minister says
- Says China made 'active contribution' to peace effort
Up to 4,000 Cambodian families are unable to return to homes along the disputed frontier because of the Thai incursions, Prak Sokhonn told Reuters, despite a December agreement that halted weeks of fierce border clashes.
"The Thai military is still occupying territories well inside Cambodia," he said on Tuesday in a rare interview from Phnom Penh, the capital, listing at least four border locations as incursion sites.
"The situation remains calm, but there are some risks as well. So we hope that Thailand will remain committed to the full implementation of the ceasefire."
In response to questions from Reuters, Thai military and government officials referred to a January 12 statement by Thailand's foreign ministry that dismissed Cambodia's accusations as "baseless".
"The maintenance of current troop positions following the ceasefire constitutes direct compliance with agreed de-escalation measures," the Thai ministry said. "This cannot be misconstrued as territorial occupation."
Wednesday, 14 January 2026
បងប្អូនតើគាត់និយាយចឹងត្រវអត់
Yes, the Khmers in former Khmer provinces all over Thailand need to wake up and demand self-rule or independence for themselves. The Thais know it would be difficult and even impossible to prevent were these indigenous Khmers to rise up and form a separate state which could comprise up to one-third of what is now Thai territory including coastal and sea areas.
In the 1960s and 1970s Communist shells were active all over the North-East of Thailand with a large presence of ethnic Khmers living there. This is the least developed and most impoverished part of Thailand even today.
The Thais decided to quell the Communist rebels not by force but by giving them lands to own and feed themselves. However, these lands never belonged to the Thais but to the Khmers and their ancestors from before recorded history. The Thais have similarly largely succeeded in brainwashing the Khmers by teaching their children their distorted version of history and telling them they are distinct and separate from their brothers in Cambodia. They have also bought Khmer leaders off who were and are willing to be their accomplices in this indoctrination and treason to keep the Khmers under their control and in subservience to them by giving the Khmers this false identity that many among them call: "Siem Surin" or "Siam Buriram" etc.
The truth however will never change in terms of their roots, ancestry and DNA as Khmers. To even allow themselves to be considered "Siam Surin" is an ultimate affront to their Khmer ancestors who fought and sacrificed to preserve Khmer identity and territory from the Siamese/ Thais invaders and oppressors. They are also an affront to themselves and conscience by so doing and through their complicity in all the harm and violence that Thailand is committing against the people of Cambodia.
-Social media
^^^
Tuesday, 13 January 2026
US to support Cambodian-Thai ceasefire with $45m aid pledge
The aid is earmarked to help support both countries in border stabilisation efforts, demining and tackling drug trafficking and cyberscams.

Published On 9 Jan 20269 Jan 2026
The United States has announced it will provide $45m in aid to help solidify a fragile truce brokered by President Donald Trump between Thailand and Cambodia.
Michael DeSombre, the US assistant secretary for East Asia, said on Friday that the US would offer $20m to help both countries combat drug trafficking and cyberscams, which have become a major concern in Cambodia.
DeSombre was meeting with senior Thai and Cambodian officials in Bangkok and Phnom Penh on Friday and Saturday to discuss implementation of the peace accords, according to a senior State Department official.
DeSombre also said $15m would be given for border stabilisation efforts to help support people displaced by the recent fighting, as well as $10m for de-mining and unexploded ordnance clearance.
“The United States will continue to support the Cambodian and Thai governments as they implement the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords and pave the way for a return to peace, prosperity and stability for their people and the region,” DeSombre said in a statement.