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Anti-Scam Summit Names Two Senators
Anti-scam minister Chhay Sinarith told Nikkei Asia that the government is investigating compounds that are connected to ruling-party senators Ly Yong Phat and Kok An. It was the first time officials publicly connected sitting senators to the fraud networks. Prime Minister Hun Manet also made the sweeping claim that scam compounds no longer exist in Cambodia (Ed.: congratulations?). The US Treasury has sanctioned both of the named senators because of alleged links to forced-labor scam operations, and both are known for having helped bankroll Hun Sen during his 38 years in power. US lawmakers are also pressing the Trump administration to consider sanctions against Deputy Prime Minister Neth Savoeun and Interior Minister Sar Sokha because of their alleged scam ties.
Read more: Reuters, Reuters, Nation Thailand, The Star, Independent
Government Turns on the Licensed Casinos
Officials are reportedly turning to the more than 100 licensed casinos that are still operating, even though some are suspected (not by the PM, however: see previous story) of hiding online scams and illegal gambling behind a legal facade. An audit of all 195 licensed casinos led to a handful of suspensions, and authorities forced 91 casinos tied to scam activity to close. Investigators are also looking into about 30 Prince Group subsidiaries and their offshore assets in Singapore, the US and the UK after chairman Chen Zhi was arrested and sent (back) to China in January. Hun Manet, apparently fed up with the scale of the industry, says that the current number of casinos is "excessive."
Read more: UA News (casino scrutiny), iGaming Today (new crackdown), GGRAsia (licensing)
ADB Cuts Growth Forecast as Tourists Stay Away
The Asian Development Bank reduced its 2026 growth forecast a hair to 3.9% from 4.1%, saying garment and auto parts factories won’t be able to make up for weak tourism. International arrivals have plunged by almost half to 2.25 million through August. Officials blame the still-shuttered Thai border, the confict(s) in the Middle East and Cambodia's reputation as a scam hub. The government's answer is a limited visa waiver allowing Chinese passport holders multiple 14-day stays from June 15 through to October 15, in a decision that is not likely to move the needle as far as it needs to move. Domestic tourism was up by nearly half to almost 24 million trips in the first seven months, but to be clear, those are “trips” rather than “travelers.” ADB thinks growth will recover to 4.7% in 2027 as manufacturing exports pick up steam.
Read more: Phnom Penh Post (PM digital push), CamboJA News (cash transfer program), VnExpress (Ministry of Tourism), Cambodia Investment Review (non-garment exports)
Tire Exports Up 72% to $1.5 Billion
Tire exports were $1.5 billion from January through August, which is nearly three quarters more than a year earlier. The United States was the top buyer, followed by Brazil and Canada. The Ministry of Commerce says the young industry is starting to find its footing abroad, and local factories are getting practiced at using more of the country's rubber and adding value instead of shipping it out raw, as has traditionally been the case.
Read more: Khmer Times
Pinglu Canal Erases 560 km From ASEAN Shipping
Cambodia-China trade was $15.54 billion through August (up more than 20%). Exports rose at a similar pace to $1.31 billion, but that, as usual, was dwarfed by $14.23 billion in imports. The new 134-kilometer Pinglu Canal in Guangxi allows 5,000-tonne vessels get to the sea through Qinzhou and remarkably shortens the inland route to ASEAN by a full 560 kilometers. The trip between Beibu Gulf Port and Sihanoukville now takes five days, roughly half the time needed on the old Guangdong route.
Read more: Phnom Penh Post
Wage Council Weighs $210, $225 or $250
The National Council for Minimum Wage is weighing three monthly rates for garment workers in 2027. On the table are the unchanged $210 that’s being requested (demanded?) by employers and union proposals of both $225.30 and $250.66. The tripartite council will vote by secret ballot if negotiations don’t succeed, after which the labour minister will promulgate the wage order. The Prime Minister has topped up the council's figure every year since 2019. The Asia Floor Wage Alliance and independent unions have based the number quoted in their highest proposal on surveys of household costs.
Read more: Cambodia Investment Review, Khmer Times (wage comparison)
Conscription Forms Go Out October 1
Military service forms will be available from October 1 to 9, with applications due at gendarmerie offices between October 10 and 15. Men aged 18 to 25 will be required to provide identity and residency documents, and evaders will be at risk of up to five years in prison and a fine. Defense Minister Tea Seiha is telling families that they should emphasize the discipline and fitness benefits on offer to their menfolk. Conscription official Phuong Siphan says selection will be “transparent and fair,” but surely that goes without saying?
Read more: Khmer Times (service exemptions), Khmer Times (sub-decree date)
Phnom Penh Takes Interpreters Washington Left Behind
Prime Minister Hun Manet approved a 16-member working group to take in Afghans evacuated from Al-Sayliyah camp near Doha before it closes on September 30. The order doesn't specify how many people Cambodia expects. About 1,100 people are still at the camp, most of them are interpreters and relatives of Special Operations Forces personnel who were airlifted out in 2021. A foreign ministry spokesman praised the plan as humanitarian but, awkwardly, also said that he was speaking personally and could not confirm what the plan actually was.
Read more: Kiripost
Miss Universe Crops the Watermark Off Thai Photo
The Miss Universe Cambodia preliminary round presented a 1906 Thai photograph, "Siamese Woman of Kamphaeng Phet," as evidence of ancient Khmer culture in a video about traditional dress. The image, which is held by Thailand's National Archives and listed on UNESCO's Memory of the World register, appeared without the (Thai) Fine Arts Department watermark. Thailand's Culture Ministry says the use was intentional and is preparing an objection, saying that a lawsuit was also still a possibility. Cambodian national director Prasat Davin blamed "insufficient verification" and denied any intent to offend.
Read more: Nation Thailand (legal action threat), The Diplomat (border dispute history)
New Riel Notes Add a Nine-Headed Dragon
The National Bank has redesigned 100,000 and 50,000 riel notes that bear the image of the late King Norodom Sihanouk and feature new anti-counterfeit technologies. The green and grey 100,000 note also shows Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk and a nine-headed dragon sculpture. The blue and brown 50,000 note shows the royal crown, a sceptre and a seven-headed dragon.
Read more: Khmer Times
That's all for this week, thanks for reading. Your voice matters to us. Feel we're missing something? Have additional sources to suggest? Don't hold back- hit reply and tell us what you think.
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