Cambodia 20250804
Mekong Memo Cambodia Weekly: Business, politics, finance, trade & legal news.
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Headlines:
Cambodia and Thailand Agree to Stop Fighting
Cambodia Claims Thailand Breaking the Rules
Border Fighting Slams Business Hard
Ministry Moves to Protect Workers in Thailand
Military Bosses Meet to Keep Peace Deal Going
U.S. Cuts Tariffs on Cambodian Exports
Bird Flu Case Pops Up in Siem Reap
UNESCO Tie-up for the Environment
Crackdown on Social Media Rumors
Cambodia and Thailand Agree to Stop Fighting
Cambodia and Thailand have come to a ceasefire agreement, ending weeks of fighting as of midnight on July 28. The stop in fighting came as a result of talks in Putrajaya, Malaysia, that were chaired by Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The fighting has already resulted in nearly three dozen dead and has displaced more than a quarter of a million people on both sides of the border. U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese envoys played a role in forcing/ facilitating dialogue. Follow-up meetings between military officials are in the works to make sure everyone’s sticking to the deal.
Read more: France24 (Ceasefire Negotiations), Newsweek (International Mediation), WRAL (Ceasefire Effectiveness), ABC News (Ceasefire Aftermath)
Cambodia Claims Thailand Breaking the Rules
Cambodia has made several serious accusations against Thailand over the past few weeks (not so much since the ceasefire), including claims that Thailand is violating international law and using heavy artillery in its work along the Cambodian-Thai border. They have also said that Thailand has been targeting cultural heritage sites and causing undue levels of destruction in the regions of Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear.
Read more: Khmer Times (Ceasefire Meeting Reactions), Khmer Times (Conflict Progress), Khmer Times (Legal Implications), Daily Sabah (International View)
Border Fighting Slams Business Hard
The border conflict has seriously impaired economic relations between Cambodia and Thailand. The Royal Government of Cambodia is working to restructure loans and provide financial support to affected citizens. More specifically, they are working with financial institutions to ease the financial strain on displaced residents and the military. Thailand has reportedly reduced the frequency of flights between Phnom Penh and Bangkok thanks to reduced passenger demand.
Read more: Khmer Times (Airline Adjustments), Khmer Times (Financial Relief), Cambodia Investment Review (Public Campaigns)
Ministry Moves to Protect Workers in Thailand
The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training says it is working to protect Cambodian migrant workers in Thailand from abuse and ensuring their safe return. As reports of abuse are surfacing, the Ministry is calling for international brands to uphold decent work practices and telling Cambodians to prioritize safety.
Read more: Khmer Times (Worker Repatriation), Khmer Times (Labour Ministry Initiatives), Khmer Times (International Appeals)
Military Bosses Meet to Keep Peace Deal Going
Cambodian and Thai military commanders came together to reinforce the ceasefire, wrapping up informal talks to stop troop mobilizations and further confrontation. The talks have been brief, but important to the de-escalation process. An upcoming General Border Committee meeting in early August will build on these dialogues and create a platform to iron out the finer points of a lasting deal.
Read more: Khmer Times (Ceasefire Commanders' Meeting), Khmer Times (Joint Military Efforts)
U.S. Cuts Tariffs on Cambodian Exports
President Donald Trump announced the results of his team’s analysis of tariffs that will be added to the cost of Cambodian exports to the United States, dropping them from 36% to 19%. The decision to reduce the import duty pain was announced on the heels of the ceasefire agreement. The news has been widely welcomed by Phnom Penh, with officials saying it’s a gesture of goodwill and will be a catalyst for an economic recovery.
Read more: Khmer Times (Prime Minister's Reaction), Cambodia Investment Review (Economic Implications)
Bird Flu Case Pops Up in Siem Reap
The Ministry of Health confirmed a new case of H5N1 avian influenza in Siem Reap, as a 26-year-old man has been hospitalized with serious symptoms. This case is the 14th confirmed one so far this year. Health authorities say they’re keeping a watch on the situation and working on a response to contain the outbreak.
Read more: Khmer Times
UNESCO Tie-up for the Environment
The Ministry of Environment and UNESCO announced that they’re working together on sustainable groundwater management and the safekeeping of heritage sites. Their interests reportedly include mapping groundwater, promoting biosphere reserves, and developing beekeeping know-how in order to improve rural livelihoods.
Read more: Khmer Times
Crackdown on Social Media Rumors
The Cambodian Ministry of Information is telling everyone to cool their jets, saying that people need to be more responsible with their social media use. They say they need to curb misinformation and keep a lid on inflammatory content related to the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict to maintain social harmony. Of course, they want to make sure that only credible, official (are those the same?) information is shared to keep tensions from rising even further. Citizens are being encouraged to check information with official sources before re-sharing.
Read more: Khmer Times
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