Cambodia Morning News For April 6

Hun Sen ‘mulling fake news bill’
A ruling party spokesman on Thursday said the Cambodian government is looking to draft a “fake news” law, the same week similar legislation was introduced in Malaysia.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Smuggling blamed as rice exports drop 3pct
Cambodia’s rice exports declined in the first quarter of the year, down 3 percent compared to the first three months of last year, a slide that rice exporters and industry representatives blamed on smuggling operations operating with impunity.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Digital wallet operation to set up shop
Singapore-based MatchMove, one of the world’s fastest growing and most disruptive fintech companies in digital payments and next-generation banking, is poised to set up an office in Cambodia within three months and go online for business in September.
— Khmer Times

Cambodia clampdown was long in the planning
On June 1, 2016, the director of Cambodia’s Defense Ministry’s Military Intelligence Unit gave a rare interview to a pro-government newspaper in which he outlined a strategy to assure the ruling party’s victory at national elections in 2018.
— Asia Times

Thai, Cambodian PMs pledge more border crossings
The Thai and Cambodian governments have reaffirmed their commitment to opening more border crossings to foster trade and investment.
— Bangkok Post

Cambodia Travel Mart set to expand
Cambodia saw 5 million foreign visitors last year, an 11% increase on 2016. The second-ever Cambodia Travel Mart will run from October 11-13 and will bring together key players from tourism industries across the region, aiming to showcase further room for growth in the Kingdom with an event twice the size of last year’s.
— The Phnom Penh Post (video)

Phnom Penh ferry service to begin on Friday
A ferry service is set to open on Friday that will take passengers along the Tonle Sap and Tonle Bassac rivers, making three stops in Phnom Penh and one in Kandal province’s Takhmao City, according to a spokesman at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT).
— The Phnom Penh Post

Paddy rice shortage hits exports
Cambodia’s milled rice exports fell about 3.4 percent in the first three months of the year compared with the same period last year, according to a report.
— Khmer Times

Cambodia revives rail link to Thai border
CAMBODIA moved a step closer to the restoration of rail links between its capital Phnom Penh and Bangkok on April 4 with the launch of passenger services on the 48km section of the Northern Line between Sisophon and Poipet on the border with Thailand.
— Rail Journal

Uncertain future for 43 deportees
By the time Nith* arrived in Wisconsin at the age of 5, he had escaped a genocide and lived in refugee camps in two different countries.
— The Phnom Penh Post

KB Card acquires Cambodia’s Tomato Specialized Bank
A consortium led by South Korea’s KB Kookmin Card Co. has purchased a full stake in Cambodia’s Tomato Specialized Bank (TSB) for $10.8 million.
— Pulse

PM arrives in Cambodia to attend 3rd Mekong River Commission Summit
Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha and accompanying personnel have arrived in Cambodia to attend the 3rd Mekong River Commission (MRC) Summit in Siem Reap Province.
— NNT

Cambodian Opposition Leader Kem Sokha Requests Release From Prison For Medical Treatment
Jailed opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) President Kem Sokha has called on court authorities to release him so that he can seek medical treatment abroad and restart negotiations with Prime Minister Hun Sen’s ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) ahead of a general election.
— Radio Free Asia

Cambodian, Chinese officials pay tribute to 2 Chinese peacekeepers killed in 1993 attack
As the annual Tomb-Sweeping Day comes, Cambodian and Chinese officials on Thursday jointly organized a ceremony, paying tribute to two Chinese United Nations peacekeeping soldiers who were killed in a blast here 25 years ago.
— Xinhua

Court Orders the Phnom Penh Post to Compensate $260,000 for Labor Disputes
Phnom Penh Municipal Court (PPMC) Prosecutor and authorities, on Thursday morning, ordered the Phnom Penh Post to compensate $260,000 to Chris Dawe, former General Manager of the Post, with charge of labor disputes.
— Fresh News

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