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River Closure for 246 Megawatts Hydropower Plant of Cambodia’s Koh Kong Province

Wednesday, 12 January 2011 10:19 DAP-NEWS/VIBOL

CAMBODIA, PHNOM PENH, Jan 12, 2010-Cambodian PM Hun Sen on Wednesday presided over the river closure ceremony of building 246 megawatts hydropower plant in Koh Kong Province, southwestern region of Cambodia.

“This plant will help reduce the shortage of the electricity demand in the country while the 50 per cent of village now could access the power,” PM said in the ceremony.

He also appealed the private sector to take part in investment of building electricity network, and hydropower plant in Cambodia to boost the economic growth.

This new plant developed by Chinese company, china heavy machine corporation with $540 million. PM Hun Sen thanked Chinese side that has helped provide loan, grant aid to help the country.

Television Ad Production Increases in Cambodia

Wednesday, 12 January 2011 08:01 DAP-NEWS

PHNOM PENH, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia is slowly shifting away from repackaged foreign television advertisements to Cambodian-produced ads, which are increasing their presence on local television, local media reported on Wednesday, citing production companies and advertisers.

Ad producers say that in recent years, the sophistication of the advertising sector has grown and ads budgets have risen, prompting more local companies to opt for television ads, and more international companies to turn toward Cambodian-produced ads for the growing local market.

"There are more commercials produced locally now than before. Before, they just took the foreign ads and just overdubbed it with Khmers," the Cambodia Daily quoted Rick Lore, creative director of Avalon Production House as saying. Rick Lore added that his company produced 20 percent more TV ads in 2010 than in 2009.

Bunseng Chuor, creative managing director of Satra Multimedia was quoted as saying that he has more interest in Cambodian- produced ads, and his company has seen its profits increase 10-20 percent from 2009 to 2010.

While he attributed some of this to improvement in the economy, he said that over the years more companies are recognizing that Cambodian companies can produce television ads and can answer the growing demand.

Eung Song Leap, general manager of Rasmey Hang Meas film production, was quoted as saying that the increase is also a response to the desire of Cambodians to see fellow Cambodians selling them their products.

Even so, Kimhak To, managing director of Ads Com advertising, said locally produced ads reflect the relatively small budgets, compared to international ads.

"One good quality spot could cost between 40,000 U.S. dollars to 50,000 dollars. But some only pay 400 U.S. dollars to 500 dollars," he was quoted as saying. "We have to produce a local spot with international quality."

Cambodian Court Officially Charges Two Detained Thais for Espionage: Lawyer

Wednesday, 12 January 2011 07:59 DAP-NEWS

PHNOM PENH, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Phnom Penh Municipal Court's investigating judge Chaing Sinat on Wednesday upheld a new additional charge on two of the seven arrested Thais, said a defense lawyer.

The two Thais are Veera Somkwamkid, a core member of the Thailand Patriot Network, and Ratree Taiputana Taiboon, known as Veera's secretary.

On Jan. 10, the court's deputy prosecutor Sok Roeun applied a new additional charge on the two Thais with an attempt in " collecting information which might damage Cambodia's national security."

The charge that could face between five and 10 years in jail if found guilty, according to the article 446 of the Cambodia's new penal code.

"The investigating judge upheld the charge on the two Thais for spying," Pich Vicheka, one of the two defense lawyers for the seven arrested Thais, confirmed to Xinhua on Wednesday after more than three hour inquest on the two Thais at the court.

He said that so far, the court has not set the date for a trial for the seven detained Thais.

Chaing Sinat did not pick up the phone after repeated calls by reporter on Wednesday.

The seven arrested Thais are a Democrat Member of Parliament for Bangkok Panich Wikitsate, Veera Somkwamkid, Thailand Patriot Network core member, Samdin Lersbusya, secretary for Heaven and Earth Party, Kochpontorn Chusanaseree, assistant to Panich, Taynae Moongmachon, pressperson, Ms. Naruemol Chitwaratana, house keeper and Ms. Ratree Paiputana Paiboon, vendor and known as Veera's secretary.

They were arrested on Dec. 29, 2010 by Cambodian border protection troops for illegal entry into Cambodian territory in Banteay Meanchey province and now are being detained in Phnom Penh' s Prey Sar prison.

They were charged on Dec. 30 last year for illegal entry into Cambodia and unlawful entry into military zone. They may face up to 18 months in prison and fine from 1 to 2 million Cambodian riels (250 U.S. dollars - 500 U.S. dollars) if found guilty.

Press and Quick Reaction Unit Demands Bangkok Post Newspaper to Publish Immediately Correction

Wednesday, 12 January 2011 02:08 DAP-NEWS