Speeding melon truck claims two

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 15:02 Mom Kunthear

Two people died and eight were injured when a truck crashed into a shopfront on Monday in Kampong Thom province’s Baray district, police said yesterday.

The driver was transporting watermelons when he lost control of the truck while trying to pass a car in Triel commune.

“The driver tried to overtake a car while speeding and crashed into a store full of villagers,” said Keo Hour, Baray district deputy police chief.

He said the district police are searching for the driver of the truck, who fled the scene of the accident.

Chhreb Soth, 23, and Pum Ngeb, 22, died at the scene and the injured were taken to a local hospital.

This was the first major traffic accident in the commune, according to Heng Chihear, deputy police chief of Triel commune.

He added that the truck was being held at the district police station.

Tram Iv Tek, minister of public works and transportation, said last week that there were approximately 8,000 traffic accidents resulting in 1,800 deaths in 2010.

Stepfather arrested for rape

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 15:02 Buth Reaksmey Kongkea and Phak Seangly

A 36-year-old man was arrested in the Santepheap commune of Battambang’s Som Pov Loun district on Monday, over allegations that he raped his 12-year-old stepdaughter on Sunday.

Anh Kamal, district military police deputy commander, said that the stepfather allegedly raped the victim at least twice according to her testimony, yet he said the number could be as high as six times.

“Every time after raping the girl, the stepfather always threatened to kill both her and her mother if she told her mother or anyone else what happened to her,” he said.

Anh Kamal added that the suspect lured the girl to pick vegetables near a stream and then raped her on Sunday, but the girl was too afraid to tell her relatives until Monday, who then told military police officers.

“Our military police arrested the stepfather on Monday at about 5pm and immediately sent him to the Anti-Human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection Bureau of the provincial military police after he pleaded his guilt,” he said, adding that the suspect has since been sent to provincial court.

In a separate case yesterday, Phnom Penh Municipal Court concluded the trial of a 24-year-old man charged with the rape of a 19-year-old garment worker last year in the Trapaing Thloeung village of Dangkor district’s Choam Chao commune.

Presiding Judge Duch Kimsorn said that Pho Sopheak, a 24-year-old employee of the Suntex Pte Ltd garment factory was charged with the rape of a 19-year-old garment worker on April 19 of last year, after a complaint was filed by the victim.

“Pho Sopheak caught the victim and brought her into his rental room and forcibly raped her successfully. After the raping, he threatened to kill her if she told this to her family members,” he said, adding that the verdict will be announced on April 8.

Pho Sopheak denied the rape allegations in court yesterday but said he had a relationship with the victim previously and had consensual sex with her.

“I think that the reason why I was [arrested] was because her family, especially her brothers, do not like me. They wanted to separate her from me.”

Police arrest 23 for illegal land clearing

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 15:03 May Titthara

Twenty-three villagers were arrested on Monday in Kratie province’s Prek Prasap district by district and provincial officials for clearing destroyed forest land for plantations.

Villager Vi Reak said that the 23 villagers had arrived recently in Prek Prasap commune from Kampong Cham province.

“Villagers who clear the land for farming to feed themselves face arrest, but when powerful people clear over 100 hectares to sell to a private company, nobody takes action,” said Vi Reak.

Vi Reak said that the villagers had seen district officials, the provincial governor and an official from Phnom Penh clearing the land to sell it to businesses.

“It is unjust for the poor,” said Vi Reak. “Our villagers dared not help them because they are newcomers.”

Provincial Police Chief Choung Seang Hak said the villagers were arrested by the district governor and provincial environmental and forestry officials.

“This case did not involve us,” said Choung Seang Hak. “We just accompanied them to avoid violence.”

Prek Prasap District Police Chief Soum Sokhim, said that the villagers had been sent to provincial police headquarters.

“I don’t know why they were arrested,” said Soum Sokhim. “I just got unclear information that they cleared the forest to take the land.”

Prek Prasap First Deputy Commune Chief Ben Born said that the government had granted the land as a social concession for villagers in Prek Prasap.

“I don’t know whether those villagers are mine or coming from elsewhere,” said Ben Born, adding that he did not know what was behind the arrests.

Provincial prosecutor Mak Tany declined to comment, saying that he had not yet receive the case.

Provincial Forestry Administration officials could not be reached for comment.

Four dead in lightning strikes

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 15:03 Khouth Sophak Chakrya

At least four people were killed, along with 18 head of cattle, in Siem Reap and Banteay Meanchey provinces during heavy rainstorms that also destroyed two homes on Monday evening, police officials said.

Sot Dina, head of provincial police in Siem Reap, said yesterday that three people and 18 cattle were killed in Siem Reap province.

Teng Tak, 18, from Pakpann village in Puok district’s Sososdam commune, and Mao Chey, 22, from Kbalkrapue

village in Roeul commune, were killed by lightning on Monday night while they were rounding up their cattle to return them to their stables, Sot Dina said.

A 55-year-old woman identified as Phan Vich from Khnar Roveas village in Banteay Srey district’s Khun Ream commune, was also struck and killed by lightning while in her home Monday night, Sot Dina said.

He added that the 18 cows belonging to villagers in Bakong and Angkor Thom districts died in lightning strikes, and the storm destroyed two villagers’ homes in Angkor Thom district’s Peaksneng commune.

“We can fight illegal gambling, human trafficking and drug smuggling to keep our people safe, but we cannot fight lightning,” Sot Dina said.

A fourth person, identified as Khun Chea, 53, from Kabau village in Banteay Meanchey province’s Preah Netr Preah district, was killed by lightning, according to Phnom Leab district police Chief Lim Yung.

“I am very sad that he died because he was a good man,” Lim Yung said, adding that the victim was a family member.

Chi Kraeng villagers free

Nine Chi Kraeng villagers are given food and water prior to their hearing at Siem Reap Provincial Court yesterday. The court found them not guilty of stealing rice in 2009 and released them.

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 15:03 May Titthara

Siem Reap

Provincial Court yesterday released nine villagers from Chi Kraeng commune after acquitting them on charges of stealing rice harvests in neighbouring Anlong Samnor Commune in 2009.

Earlier this month, the provincial Appeal Court had upheld three-year sentences for the same nine villagers, on a separate charge of stealing rice harvests from Anlong Samnor commune

“The nine Chi Kraeng villagers were released at 6:50pm [yesterday] and have been returned to their homeland,” said Am Sam Ath, a technical coordinator for the local rights group Licadho.

“They are all in good health,” he said.

Am Sam Ath added that none of the nine villagers were facing additional charges.

The villagers had been imprisoned since their arrest on March 22, 2009.

Luon Savat, a monk and village representative, suggested the villagers were never guilty of stealing rice harvests to begin with.

“The court should not have detained the villagers from one year to the next,” he said. “It is an injustice for them. They were planting rice, so why accuse them of stealing it?”

The stolen property case was part of an ongoing land dispute between villagers in Chi Kraeng and Anlong Samnor communes, both of which are located in Chi Kraeng district.

A total of 12 villagers from Chi Kraeng have been arrested in the dispute. Three remain behind bars on charges related to the land dispute.

In March 2009, military police fired on Chi Kraeng villagers attempting to harvest rice on the disputed land, injuring four in the process. A total of 46 villagers, including the nine released yesterday, were arrested and detained for questioning in the altercation.

Repatriation: Remains of migrants returned

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 15:03 Buth Reaksmey Kongkea

Repatriation

The bodies of four Cambodian migrant workers killed in an car accident in Thailand last week were returned to their families on Monday via the Poipet border crossing.

Sum Chankea, a coordinator for the local rights group ADHOC in Banteay Meanchey province, identified the four Cambodians as Nov Saban, 27, and his wife Nguon Sophy, 21, and Tun Thorn, 29, and his wife Nov Sabo, 23.

He said the two couples, from Svay Chrum village in Svay Rieng province, died when a taxi they were passengers in crashed en route to Ranong province in Thailand.

“These two families illegally entered Thailand via illegal brokers,” Sum Chankea said. “They were on their way to Ranong to find work but were severely injured when their taxi crashed.”

He said they were taken to a hospital following the crash and later died from their injuries.

Sum Chankea said that at least 200 Cambodian nationals are detained by Thai authorities each day and returned to the Kingdom at the Poipet international border checkpoint for illegally entering Thailand, according to data compiled by the rights group.

SRP slams lack of labour oversight

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 15:03 Vong Sokheng and David Boyle

Members of the opposition Sam Rainsy party yesterday accused officials in the Ministry of Labour of deliberately ignoring the alleged illegal detention of trainees by the T&P Co Ltd labour firm and called on the prime minister to take legal action against them.

During a press conference held at the National Assembly yesterday, opposition lawmaker Son Chhay said the Ministry of Labour’s failure to regulate the industry had allowed labour recruitment companies to commit serious human rights violations.

“We see that the relevant government ministries and local authorities are conspiring with the company to allow all forms of human rights violations to occur and the industry is also linked to human trafficking and international crimes,” he said.

“These issues have been found in both Cambodia and Malaysia and may be linked to many other labour recruitment agencies.”

Son Chhay said he had previously sent a letter to Hun Sen urging him to order Minister of Labour, Vong South, to take proper action against labour recruitment companies that illegally detained workers, but that no such action had been taken.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Foreign affairs all declined to comment on Son Chhay’s allegations or said they were unaware of the details yesterday.

A 19-year-old woman who said she was a trainee at T&P Co Ltd but refused to be named also appeared at the press conference and recounted conditions of severe abuse she had witnessed and endured while working in Malaysia.

“I got to the work place in Malaysia, where the employers did not give us enough food, and some of the trainees were beaten and raped by the employers, who sometimes poured hot water on their bodies,” she said.

Over a four-year-period that began when she was 16 years old, she said other abuses she had witnessed included force-feeding maids toilet water or chili while making them stand still for entire days at a time.

Aegile Fernandez, anti-human trafficking coordinator of Malaysia-based NGO Tenaganita, said her organisation had rescued 50 Cambodian maids from abusive working conditions since April last year and that the problem had escalated recently.

“[There have been] a lot of Cambodian cases, for the last couple of months; [it’s been] on the rise and there has also been a lot of children being brought in as maids to work,” she said.

Study underway for direct flights to United Kingdom

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 15:01 May Kunmakara

A feasibility study paving the way for direct flights between the United Kingdom and Cambodia is under way, officials said.

A Secretariat of State of Civil Aviation official said yesterday that increasing numbers of tourist and business visitors sparked the move, and parties are also investigating the possibility of flights between the Kingdom and Turkey. Deputy Cabinet Director of SSCA, Long Chheng, said that the three sides concerned were working together.

“We are conducting the feasible study, which started last week, with the United Kingdom and Turkey on a memorandum of understanding on opening the direct flight to our country,” he said.

“They plan to meet with many other relevant ministries on the issue. I think we will reach the MoU soon because they are interested flying to us.”

An official at British Embassy to Phnom Penh confirmed the plan yesterday.

“The UK’s Department for Transport and the Cambodian Secretariat of Civil Aviation are in the process of discussing a standard Air Services Agreement between the two countries,” said Neng Vannak, political affairs and press officer at the embassy.

The co-chair of the private sector’s tourism working group applauded the possibility yesterday

Ho Vandy said: “We welcome Western countries to have to direct access country because they [visitors from the West] spend longer here and spend more than [tourists from] regional countries."

Tourists from the United Kingdom slightly increase 3.3 percent in January of 2011 to 10,617, compared to the same month of 2010. Turkish tourists numbered a modest 322 in January.

Long Chheng said that SSCA hopes paperwork on the issue would be finalised by mid-2011.

Neng Vannak did not know of any specific airline set to operate the routes. But another Western airline has upped its presence in Cambodia.

Air France’s first flight on its Paris-Phnom Penh route, via Bangkok, is set to launch next week.

Koh Kong banks on tourism

This scenic view across Koh Por river towards Koh Kong city shows two of the province’s fish farms.

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 15:01 Soeun Say and Jeremy Mullins

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There are a lot of things being allowed to be done that are very anti-ecotourism
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Koh Kong province

Koh Kong may be without the spectacular temples or much-improved tourist infrastructure of other areas of Cambodia, but officials say they are counting on tourism to develop the southwestern province.

Tourists are expected to increasingly taking advantage of the eco-tourism opportunities the province’s natural beauty provides, while officials are also anticipating a US$5 billion large-scale Chinese tourism development now under way, according to Koh Kong Deputy Governor Sun Dara.

However, visitors to Koh Kong – which shares a border and economic ties to Thailand – have dwindled in recent months, with officials blaming reasons such as violent clashes between Thailand and Cambodia in Preah Vihear province last month.

Koh Kong Tourism Department statistics provided to The Post show 2,076 tourists – including 97 foreigners – stayed in the province’s hotels and guesthouses in February 2011.

In the same month last year, the province saw 10,619 tourists, including 852 foreigners – representing an 80.4 percent year on year decrease, the statistics show.

One notable decline was in the number of Thais visiting the Cambodian province.

Seven Thai tourists stayed in Koh Kong province in February 2011, from 141 Thai visitors in the same month in 2010, according to statistics from the Koh Kong Tourism Department.

“It’s been so quiet since the border clash,” said Kong Ratana, Deputy Chief of Cambodian Immigration Police at the Cham Yeam crossing between Koh Kong and Thailand’s Trat province.

“We’re seeing only 30 to 40 foreign tourists entering Cambodia each day,” he said. “It’s due to safety concerns set off by all the political tension – but it has not affected trade between the two countries.”

Some government officials said unofficial fees collected at the border were also keeping tourists away from the province’s seven hotels and 19 guesthouses.

Koh Kong Tourism Department Director Bun Beav said reducing fees and hassles at the border would increase the number of tourists.

Eco-tourism also offers strong potential to further local tourism, he said, because it plays to the province’s strengths – its natural beauty.

“I am hopeful tourists will increase again. The province has a lot of areas tourists can visit,” he said.

Janet Newman, owner of Koh Kong province’s Rainbow Lodge, which lies in a rural setting near Tatai village, agreed it was a hassle crossing the border, with officials routinely demanding 1,200 baht (US$39.68) for a tourist visa, when the official price was $20.

“It’s a big problem,” she said. “The first experience [for tourists] in Cambodia is crossing that border.”

She said the province was doing well in promoting eco-tourism and was seeing an increase particularly of Cambodian tourists to the area, but added the province ought to take a more sustainable approach to development to ensure the long-term viability of eco-tourism.

“There are a lot of things being allowed to be done that are very anti-ecotourism,” she said.

Large sand dredging operations on provincial rivers were of major concern to Rainbow Lodge, causing pollution and dirtying the river, she said, though added Ministry of the Environment had to some extent helped mitigate the concerns over noise pollution.

Tourism – particularly eco-tourism – is expected to play a central role in Koh Kong’s development, along with sectors such as mining and energy.

Work on the $540 million, 246-megawatt Stung Tatai hydroelectric dam began in January.

At the groundbreaking, Prime Minister Hun Sen described Koh Kong as “a battery province” that could help the Kingdom to satisfy its rising energy needs.

Some officials have downplayed any potential conflict between eco-tourism and environmentally damaging development. Sun Dara claimed the province’s eco-tourism plans had not been affected by wider economic development, which was necessary to improve the lives of its residents.

A man in Koh Kong city prepares squid traps for a night of fishing in the Gulf of Thailand.

“Most Koh Kong residents are fishermen, while a few sell goods at the market,” he said.

Some local hoteliers are also hopeful of the future.

Chim Sokheng, administration officer at Koh Kong City hotel, said tourist arrivals had been on the upswing until the February clashes.

While Deputy Governor Sun Dara said there were large tourism developments underway in the province, in addition to eco-tourism.

Chinese firm Union Development Group is building an announced $5 billion tourism development in the province’s Botum Sakor and Kiri Sakor districts.

The project is slated to eventually cover 36,000 hectares, and consist of five separate developments including an airport, a port, a golf course, and a large commercial area, according to Sun Dara.

“This is a major tourism development in Asia – it will be the second largest attraction for tourists to Cambodia after the Angkor Wat temples,” he claimed.

The company’s investment was approved in 2009 and is scheduled to take 25 years to develop the project, but Sun Dara said he doubted it would take so long.

“They have already built an office building in Kiri Sakor district and a port for transporting construction materials to develop the site, and they are preparing the infrastructure to build roads and residential buildings,” he said.

Still, some 20 families await compensation for their land, which was located on the development site, according to Kim Chit, Koh Kong Coordinator for rights group Licadho.

“The company is providing lower compensation than market prices demand,” Kim Chit said.

Trading places: Trade with Thailand resilient in province

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 15:01 jeremy Mullins and Soeun Say

Trading places

Trade between Koh Kong and Thailand’s Trat province has remained robust despite February’s border dispute, even as tourism statistics dropped, local businesspeople claim.

“Thai merchants told me that Cambodia was nearly their sole market. If they do not do business with Cambodians, there will be no-one to do business with,” said Chreb Thy, a 52-year old Koh Kong resident, who earns his income shipping goods between the countries by boat.

Koh Kong Deputy Governor Sun Dara said Thai imports to Koh Kong generally outpaced the Cambodian province’s exports.

Trat province exports fruit, vegetables, and consumer goods to Cambodia, while Koh Kong exports a much smaller volume of food – largely fish – in return, he said.

Official trade statistics between the two provinces were not available but Chreb Thy reckons Trat province exports about 80 percent more to Koh Kong than the other way around.

“I ship consumer goods, fruits, vegetables, and construction materials from Thailand to Koh Kong,” he said. “My boat returns empty.”

Yang Synath, a 34-year old fruit and vegetable vendor, said she had lost a large amount of income during the border clashes, but trade quickly picked up again following the end of hostilities.

“I had to throw out my vegetables daily when the Cambodian and Thai troops fought. But now, everything is back to normal,” she said last week.

Figures obtained from the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh earlier this year show Cambodia and Thailand’s bilateral trade reached US$2.557 billion in 2010, from $1.658 billion a year earlier – representing growth of 54 percent.

Cambodia’s exports to Thailand increased an annualised 176 percent to $215 million, compared with a 48 percent increase in Thai exports to $2.342 billion in 2010 over 2009.

Peninsula project planned

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 15:01 Sieam Bunthy

Overseas Cambodia Investment Corporation is preparing to submit its planned US$3-billion development on Chroy Changvar peninsula for Government approval, according to the firm’s Project Manager Touch Samnang.

The Chroy Changvar, or “City of the Future” project is slated to stand on more than 300 hectares of land, including a national standium and a 60-hectare park alongside housing and commercial buildings.

The firm is preparing to submit the required paperwork to receive the Council for the Development of Cambodia’s green light, though it has already received an initial blessing from the government, he said.

“The plan is to start construction in 2011,” he said.

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The project will build confidence for more investment, [and] increase national economic potential

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Work was slated to take 10 to 15 years to complete, and would employ between 5,000 and 10,000 workers, he said.

Sung Bonna, president of the National Valuers Association of Cambodia, welcomed the project, saying that it was likely the satellite city would be completed successfully, given the time and location were right and OCIC carried a strong reputation.

“The project will build confidence for more investment, increase national economic potential and create more jobs for Cambodian people,” he said.

“It will also show the progress of [the real estate] sector.”

Phnom Penh municipal officials could not be reached for comment on the project.

Meanwhile, Chroy Changvar is home to an increasing number of large-scale developments.

Construction is ongoing at the $100 million, 16-storey Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel project at the penninsula’s southern tip. The project is set for a launch in the beginning of 2012.

South Korean-owned Booyoung Khmer Company plans to construct a commercial development beside the Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel, though work has not yet begun, Chroy Changvar Commune Chief Pich Saroeun said earlier this month.

Swiss culinary school for Cambodia agreed

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 15:01 Chun Sophal

A culinary school that Cambodia had hoped to open with help from Switzerland will soon be a reality, the Ministry of Tourism said on Monday.

Minister Thong Khun told reporters he had secured an agreement to open a training centre in May.

The school, which will fall under the National Polytechnic Institute of Cambodia, will teach Cambodian food-service workers how to cook various international cuisine, something that is increasingly important as the tourism industry here continues to grow.

According to official figures, foreign tourists to the Kingdom in 2010 jumped 16 percent to 2.5 million from the year before.

“We hope that Cambodia will have human resources with better skills thanks to the opening of a new school to give services to tourists,” Thong Khon said. The minister last week had said that he hoped to sign a memorandum of understanding with Switzerland during his visit there last week in order to open the school. He did so on March 16.

The first crop of students will number between 200 and 300. Going forward, students who perform especially well will be granted scholarships for further study in Switzerland.

Ang Kim Eang, president for Cambodian Association of Travel Agents, welcomed the school, saying that tourists' culinary experience here is just as important as the Kingdom's cultural and environmental destinations. And tourists would be more likely to come, and stay longer, if there were a wider breadth of food choices for them.

“We think that training on subjects in cooking food will help Cambodia increase attraction from foreign tourists,” said Ang Kim Eang.

Families near palace make home on boats

Fish dealer Marn Kor, 68, (centre) chats with other fisherwomen on the river near Phnom Penh's Royal Palace.
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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 15:00 Roth Meas

With the Royal Palace at their backs and the Tonle Sap river as their front yards, about 30 families from the Cham Muslim minority have made their homes on board fishing boats in the centre of Phnom Penh.

Some have lived their for 20 years or more, while others have joined the community as they have lost land in Cambodia’s race towards development.

After collecting their fish traps, men and women get together on the boats to chat in their own language. One of them, Tin Maitom, 45, has lived for 20 years on her wooden boat, about 1. 5 metres wide and 8 metres long.

This tiny space is her living room, bedroom, kitchen and fishing platform. Though she was born on nearby Chroy Changvar peninsula, Tin Maitom says she has no land so is forced to live on the boat.

She bathes in the river water and drinks water she boils from the river, claiming the river is her backyard. “This is our home. We wouldn’t know where to go if someone chased us away from here.”

Tin Maitom earns her living by casting her nets twice a day in front of the Royal Palace, Chaktomuk Conference Hall or the Cambodiana Hotel.

However, she says she only gets about a kilo of tiny fish each day – which she sells in order to buy rice and vegetables.

Children who live on the boats learn how to swim at an early age.

“It’s not easy to catch fish on the river here because the currents and water movements are always changing. It’s fine in the daytime, but at night we have to be careful with the flowing water because it can tear down our nets,” she says.

After catching her fish, Tin Maitom sells it to dealer Marn Kor, 68, who used to be an angler herself. Marn Kor has lived on her boat in front of the Royal Palace for 16 years after losing her land in her hometown in Kampong Cham province.

She buys fish from her community to sell at the market in Phnom Penh. But business is down over the past six years, she says, as fish becomes scarcer in the river. For a day’s catch, she buys about five or six kilogrammes of fish from seven families.

“I don’t know whether it’s the sand dredging or if the tourist boats affects our fishing, but I’ve noticed fish has become harder to find after they filled in land, which shelters young fish, to construct buildings on Diamond Island.”

It’s a hard life, with the risk of boats being sunk by bad weather, but Marn Kor remains philosophical. “Life is not so good, but no rice to eat is also not good,” she says.

Fisherman Leb Lim, 34, explains that his boat sank last year and he had to rush to save his two daughters, one aged three and the other just a baby, leaving his wife to save herself.

However, he has now taught his elder daughter to swim and will teach the baby once she reaches three years old. "All of our children can swim very well. If they cannot swim, we buy them swimming jackets to wear, so they soon learn to swim,” says Leb Lim.

Hotels go green by recycling garbage

Sofitel’s Phnom Penh Phokeethra has planted 1,300 trees in its grounds as part

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Wednesday, 23 March 2011 15:00 Post Staff

With the dry season approaching its zenith, at least in Southeast Asia, much of Indochina turns to a yellow dustbowl. Yet in three environmentally progressive hotels in the region, the predominant hue is undoubtedly green.

As the price of crude oil surges toward US$100 per barrel and beyond, some hotels are doing what many of the major United States car makers did not: retooling and building anew with conservation uppermost on the agenda.

In Cambodia, the new Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra, due for its official opening on March 29, has wasted no time in establishing its eco-friendly credentials.

The hotel, which became the first five-star property to open in Phnom Penh in more than a decade with a soft opening in December last year, has adopted a range of policies designed to reduce its carbon footprint.

The property recycles 80 percent of its garbage every month to produce the biogas methanol, which is then used to provide energy for the staff canteen, the hotel kitchen and one of the property’s boilers.

Other initiatives undertaken by the hotel include the recycling of its wastewater and a carbon offset programme where 1,300 trees have been planted on the hotel’s grounds.

“You can’t open a hotel in 2011 without significant investment in green technologies. The world just doesn’t work that way any more,” says Didier Lamoot, Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra’s general manager. “No one can afford to have soot all over their footprints.”

Meanwhile, over the border in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, older properties like the iconic Caravelle Hotel are belying their venerable status by promoting cutting-edge green policies. In December, the Caravelle completed installation of a wastewater treatment facility that recycles 40 percent of its water.

The innovation was a central plank of the hotel’s efforts to achieve ISO certification, which it did in February.

Other green policies adopted by the Caravelle in recent times include reducing electricity consumption by switching to energy-saving light bulbs and installing a high-efficiency chiller to power its air-conditioning system.

Over the next year, the hotel aims to reduce harmful carbon dioxide emissions by 4 percent by replacing its current diesel boiler with a high-efficiency heat pump.

Another ambition is the attainment of Green Globe certification, widely regarded as the premier standard for environmental sustainability development worldwide.

“We view environmental best practice as an imperative, not an option,” says John Gardner, Caravelle general manager. “Nothing could be more important than the future of our planet, which is why our commitment to environmental best practices is non-negotiable.”

Gardner’s view is shared by Scott Hodgetts, general manager of the Sheraton Nha Trang. The hotel, which opened in Vietnam’s premier beach resort last year, has adopted stringent environmental policies. It uses solar power to run its hot water system and has been proactive in encouraging guests to save on water and energy usage.

More Clean Water, But Challenges for Poor Remain

Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Tuesday, 22 March 2011

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Photo: AP

A Cambodian Municipality of Phnom Penh Deputy Governor Mann Chhoeun drinks water at the celebration of an annual World Water Day at Chroy Chang Va primary school in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Tuesday.

“Many people in urban slums are forced to rely on unsafe water sources.”

While Cambodians are increasingly enjoying clean water, many who live in the poorer areas of the country remain at risk to diseases caused from dirty water, officials said Tuesday as they marked World Water Day.

Around 85 percent of Cambodians have access to safe drinking water, with the majority in urban areas, Douglas Broderick, the UN resident coordinator, said in an address at a Phnom Penh primary school.

But in urban slums, access to state water is limited, forcing many to pay three to five times the cost, he said. As a result, “many people in urban slums are forced to rely on unsafe water sources.”

Phnom Penh, which has earned high marks for creating access to water, has around 5,000 families in slum areas with free access to safe water under a World Bank program, said Man Chhoeun, deputy commissioner for development at the Council of Ministers.

“The water connection to each house in general costs $100,” he said. “The government policy subsidizes a connection to safe water service to the poor people to lower the price by 50 percent.”

Sok Sovannarith, secretary of state for the Ministry of Industry, said the government is aiming to have 80 percent of the population across the country, including 50 percent of the rural areas, with access to state supplied water. Currently, only about 60 percent of the population has access to such a water supply, he said.

Cambodia to host 10th ASEAN taekwondo championships next month

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March 22, 2011

PHNOM PENH (Xinhua) - Cambodia will host the 10th taekwondo championships of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on April 7-9, Vath Chamroeun, secretary general of National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC), said Tuesday.

"It will be the first time Cambodia hosts the international taekwondo tournament event," he said. "We hope that it will go smoothly and we will plan to host other international sports events in the future."

There will be around 300 athletes and coaches from seven countries in ASEAN taking part in the event including Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, except Indonesia, Brunei and Myanmar.

The tournament will be held at Olympic Stadium with the support from ASEAN Taekwondo Federation.

The tournaments are classified into two categories-underage athletes and adult athletes.

Local Cambodian Freedom Fighter gets jail for tax evasion

http://www.dailybreeze.com/

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From wire service reports

Posted: 03/22/2011

Cambodian Freedom Fighter Sentenced to Additional 37 Months for Tax Evasion

A self-appointed commander of the Cambodian Freedom Fighters, a Long Beach-based group formed to seize political control in the southeast Asian country, was sentenced Monday to a concurrent term of 37 months in prison for tax evasion.

Yasith Chhun, a 54-year-old United States citizen, was previously sentenced last June to a life term for conspiring to kill in a foreign country and other federal counts stemming from his 2008 conviction.

The same year, Chhun pleaded guilty to conspiring to file false tax returns and aiding and abetting the filing of false tax returns. Chhun admitted operating an accounting service that filed false tax returns for numerous taxpayers, resulting in a loss of more than $400,000, according to court papers.

Before he was sentenced to the life term last summer, U.S. District Judge Dean D. Pregerson expressed some sympathy for the defendant, who told the judge he formed the 200-strong Cambodian Freedom Fighters partly to avenge the murder of his father at the hands of the Khmer Rouge.

"I don't think Mr. Chhun is an evil human being," the judge said. "I think he's had a tragic life -- and had the misfortune of being born in a place where terrible things were happening."

Chhun, a former Long Beach accountant who came to the U.S. as a refugee in 1982, was found guilty in 2010 after a two-week trial of the four charges against him -- conspiracy to kill in a foreign country, conspiracy to damage or destroy property in a foreign country, conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction outside the United States and engaging in a military expedition against a nation with which the United States is at peace.

Jurors were told Chhun planned "Operation Volcano" to overthrow the government of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. The failed attempt resulted in the deaths of at least six people, including a 15-year-old boy killed in a grenade attack and a young man who was shot by a stray bullet, Pregerson said.

During the trial, prosecutors portrayed Chhun as a callous, cowardly, incompetent leader of the CFF, who held group meetings at his Long Beach business, CCC Professional Accounting Services, located in the 2700 block of East 10th Street.

Chhun also met with former members of the Khmer Rouge military at the Cambodia-Thailand border in October 1998 to plan Sen's overthrow, prosecutors said.

The Khmer Rouge and its leader, Pol Pot, ruled Cambodia from 1975 to 1979. The Communist organization was blamed for the deaths of more than 1 million people through execution, forced labor and starvation in what became known as the country's "killing fields."

After raising money in the United States -- including staging a May 2000 fundraiser at the Queen Mary -- the CFF launched "popcorns," or small-scale guerrilla attacks in Cambodia against gas stations, coffee shops and other targets, according to the U.S. government.

The judge also noted that the CFF "was probably infiltrated, so had no realistic chance of succeeding."

Amnesty Possible Without Premier Request: Analysts

Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Washington, DC Tuesday, 22 March 2011

via CAAI

Photo: AP

Sam Rainsy party supporters greet onlookers at a busy market during an election rally in the capital Phnom Penh, in 2008.

“It’s because the prime minister has the power.”

While some ruling government officials maintain that opposition leader Sam Rainsy can only receive a royal pardon with a request from the prime minister, legal observers say that practice is only a matter of courtesy.

Opposition lawmakers and other legal professionals say a royal pardon is up to the king himself, Norodom Sihamoni.

The king was sent a letter this week by opposition party lawmakers seeking a reprieve for their leader, Sam Rainy, who was removed from parliament this month.

The letter, signed by 24 Sam Rainsy Party lawmakers, comes as the party faces the prospect of the 2012 and 2013 elections without its leader, who is in exile and facing criminal convictions in Cambodia. Some political analysts have warned that elections will have less legitimacy in the eyes of the international community if they are held without the leader of the opposition.

Ou Virak, director of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, told VOA Khmer that a royal pardon, by law, need not be requested by the prime minister. Such a request has only become a practice, he said.

“It’s because the prime minister has the power,” he said. “That’s why generally there is a request from the premier—and because [Sam Rainsy’s] case is political, whether or not there is amnesty might depend on the approval of the premier of Cambodia.”

The request from the Sam Rainsy Party to the king was not outside the law, he said, but it could put some political pressure on Norodom Sihamoni, who has remained relatively outside the political arena since taking the thrown in 2004.

“I would say that the king would have some consequences, because in Cambodia the political situation, the issue of politics, needs approval from the prime minister,” he said. “So it may be that the king has to wait for a sign from the prime minister.”

In recent weeks, ruling party officials have said a request from the prime minister can provide amnesty for criminals who have served at least two-thirds of their sentence, a reference to a law distinct from the constitutional provision for general royal amnesty.

Kao Supha, a Cambodian lawyer, said the king does have a right to pardon criminals, although he “always” waits for a request from the prime minister as a matter of course.

“If [a request for pardon] is directly submitted to the king, the king will send a letter to the prime minister, to allow the prime minister to submit a request back to His Majesty,” he said.

Last week, the Supreme Court upheld decisions by lower courts that found Sam Rainsy guilty of racial incitement and destruction of property, for destroying markers near the Vietnamese border. With no further legal recourse, the National Assembly removed him from his seat as a representative of Kampong Cham province. That means the only way he can regain his parliamentary seat is to be pardoned.

The constitution, in Article 27, stipulates: “The king shall have the right to grant partial or complete amnesty.”

Son Chhay, a National Assembly lawmaker for the Sam Rainsy Party, said this means the king has individual authority, even if in practice a request typically comes from Prime Minister Hun Sen.

“As a habit, so far, His Majesty gives special favor to the prime minister, in order to offer the premier the honor of making a request for amnesty,” he said.

Cambodia faces safe water, sanitation challenges

http://www.philstar.com/

via CAAI

March 22, 2011

PHNOM PENH (Xinhua) – While Cambodia is working hard to improve the access to safe water, the issue remains its challenge, a statement from UN office in the country said Tuesday.

"Some 85 percent of the population having access to safe water, among which 76 percent in urban areas," the statement said.

However, it said the situation is not as good for those living in urban slums where they have difficult access to state supplied water.

Furthermore, some 90 percent of population in the country have access to sanitation and 81 percent have toilets, according to the UN office in Cambodia.

However, only 30 percent of families in poor settlements have access to indoor toilets and human waste is mostly discharged in open spaces, posting health hazard and contributing to the degradation of local environment.

The statement is released on the day as the world observes World Water Day, which is held on annual basis since 1993 to bring global attention to the importance of water and sanitation.

Thai army chief vows to stay out of election

http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/

via CAAI

2011-03-22

AFP

BANGKOK: Thailand's powerful army chief on Tuesday vowed not to meddle in the kingdom's elections and stressed his neutrality following coup rumours and increased street protests this year.

General Prayut Chan-O-Cha, who is considered a key ally of the ruling Democrat party, said the army would help "steer our country back to democracy" and would abide by the results of a poll due in June or July.

"It is up to the people to decide which party will form a government. Whichever it is I am still the army chief," he told reporters.

Prayut insisted that the vote would be the best way to end years of political turbulence in the country, echoing comments by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Monday.

Coup rumours were stoked by the opposition earlier this year following fresh protests by the nationalist and royalist "Yellow Shirt" movement and violent border clashes between Thailand and neighbouring Cambodia.

The military has often become involved in politics in Thailand, which has seen 18 actual or attempted coups since 1932, but both the army and government have denied an impending intervention.

"We will be neutral in the election because we cannot control anyone. The army must comply with election law and all troops can cast votes in their respective constituencies without pressure from the military," Prayut said.

He said the army could be involved in election security, in a sign that the politically divided nation, still recovering from deadly street protests last year in which over 90 people died, could see friction during the poll.

"I have instructed all army unit leaders to be prepared for the election and supply manpower to ensure security at polling stations," he said.

The Thai government on Tuesday cited "threats by some ill-intentioned people" after it agreed to extend special powers across seven districts of Bangkok until April 24 under the Internal Security Act.

'No' to GBC meeting in Indonesia

via CAAI

Published: 22/03/2011

Online news: Asia

The Thai top brass has decided not to attend the 8th Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) meeting which has been scheduled in Indonesia, insisting that any talks must be purely bilateral.

Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Tuesday that he and other armed forces commanders had resolved not to attend the GBC meeting in Bogor proposed by Indonesia and agreed to by Cambodia.

Indonesia initially proposed that the meeting be held on Mar ch 24 and 25 but later postponed it to April 7 and 8.

"We won't go. We don't want the meeting to be held in a third country.

"Soldiers of the two countries are very close to each other. Talks should be between soldiers of the two countries only, and a third party should not be involved," Gen Prayuth said.

Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha

The GBC is co-chaired by the defence ministers of the two countries.

Gen Prayuth also turned down Cambodia's proposal for the setting up of 15 checkpoints manned jointly by Thai and Cambodian soldiers in the 4.6 square kilometre disputed area, to accommodate observers from Indonedia.

He said this matter should be discussed at a meeting between soldiers of the two countries.

The situation along the border near the Preah Vihear temple was still normal and the two sides had been in contact, awaiting talks between military leaders, Gen Prayuth said.

A Defence Ministry source said Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon also decided not to go to the proposed GBC meeting in Indonesia.

Gen Prawit and Cambodian counterpart Gen Tea Banh as well as military leaders of the two countries enjoyed close ties, the source said.

The Thai defence minister planned to contact Gen Tea Banh to set a date for a bilateral meeting. However, he was not sure if Gen Tea Banh would agree, since Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen had said he would not back a bilateral meeting, the source said.

According to the source, the meeting, if held, would be for the two sides to discuss the posting of Indonesian observers and deployment of troops in the disputed area.

Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra Celebrates Grand Opening March 29

http://www.hotelinteractive.com/

via CAAI

Monday, March 21, 2011

Traditional Khmer music, Buddhist monks, Cambodia's deputy prime minister and apsaras will help announce the grand opening of one of Southeast Asia's most anticipated new hotels March 29 as the Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra makes its debut.

The hotel takes the stage in Phnom Penh as the first new five-star hotel to open in the capital in more than a decade. Its eight restaurants and bars, expansive meetings facilities, spa, sports club and executive lounge herald an emergence of sorts for a city that's seen more stasis than dynamism in recent years.

That, says the hotel's General Manager Didier Lamoot, is about to change.

"We're on the cusp of something here," said Lamoot. "Not only with respect to Phnom Penh as a destination, but how people travel, why they travel and when. The lines are blurring between leisure and business travel, and this hotel was built to accommodate new demands by today's guests."

Located on the banks of a canal, with panoramic views of both the Mekong River and the Bassac, the Sofitel defies easy identification as one kind of hotel or another. Its 45-meter swimming pool, ample pool decks and ambitious So Spa, a wellness concept that debuted in London last year, tempt the resort-minded.

Meanwhile, the hotel’s executive quarters, Club Millésime, and its 1,800 square-meter ballroom are lures to corporate business. Indeed, the hotel was put to the test during the recent ASEAN Travel Forum during a sit-down dinner for 1,200.

"I'm not sure where else in Southeast Asia you can accommodate as many people," said Lamoot. "Though we only started receiving guests in the middle of December, we now know what it's like to be fully booked. And it feels good."

The USD 50 million hotel development is third in a group that includes the Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra, where Lamoot served as general manager for five years, and the Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra. The Siem Reap (Angkor) property in particular has won international acclaim as one of the finest resorts in Southeast Asia.

The hotel's cityside front nestles against Phnom Penh's charming old French quarter, itself in the midst of a district-wide residential makeover. Within walking distance is the Royal Palace, the National Museum and Sisowath Quay, one of Southeast Asia's most accessible and attractive waterfront café scenes.

Accommodation ranges across seven classes, from 121 Superior rooms to 45 Luxury, 23 Junior Suites, 11 Prestige Suites and one Opera Suite. Wooden floors, glass-walled baths and classic appointments distinguish every option. More than 150 of the hotel's rooms overlook the Mekong.

In the hotel's majestic lobby, Le Bar whets the appetite for the myriad food and beverage opportunities beyond. The possibilities span a range of culinary traditions and styles. La Coupole features Indochinese and French cuisines. Do Forni is Italian. Fu Lu Zu is the Chinese restaurant. Hachi offers up Old World Japan. And Chocolat is a Belgian patisserie.

Show kitchens anchor several of the hotel's restaurants. Of course, the most dramatic shows at the Sofitel will take place in the hotel's ballroom, where a USD 2 million investment in audio-visual technology has equipped the facility for extravaganzas.

"Cabarets, orchestras, revues – we expect all manner of entertainment in this hotel," said Lamoot, the day after a command performance by a song-and-dance troupe from Pattaya, Thailand. "Next month, we'll host a wedding where the bride and groom drive right into the ballroom. We're set up to be that kind of a dramatic place."

In addition to celebrations, the hotel's recreational opportunities are munificent. The Phnom Penh property will serve as the first location in Southeast Asia to deliver Sofitel's So Spa, featuring French cosmetology, a restaurant-like menu of treatment options and a blending of private and public space. Five of the spa's 10 private treatment rooms are designed for involved Khmer and Thai treatments; the other five rooms, each an ample 30-square meters, are to be used for various beauty treatments.

In addition to two squash courts, the grounds feature four, floodlit tennis courts and two locales for workouts. So Fit is a haven for fitness and well-being exclusively for in-house guests. The Phokeethra Sports Club is a sophisticated gym for guests and local members alike. Likewise, the hotel's two pools - one in the hotel building itself and the other in the adjacent sports complex - cater exclusively to guests and to both guests and members, respectively.

On the 12th floor, Club Millésime caters to the hotel's executive guests in the first purpose-built facility of its kind in the region. The lounge's stunning views of the city and the river, and a combination of outdoor space and sophisticated décor, elevate this meeting space to great new heights.

AKP - The Agence Kampuchea Press

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PM Orders Authorities to Crackdown Illegal Labor Brokers

Phnom Penh, March 22, 2011 AKP – Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen yesterday asked all relevant local authorities to crackdown on illegal labor brokers.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the national road Nº57B in Battambang province, Samdech Techo Hun Sen said illegal labor ring-leaders must be arrested and sentenced in accordance with the law.

The premier also appealed to all Cambodians to stop seeking illegal works abroad, especially in Thailand while Cambodia can provide similar jobs for them with cheaper expense than abroad, safe and without facing any arresting risks from Thai authorities. –AKP

By KHAN Sophirom

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Cambodian Tourism Delegation Returns Home

Phnom Penh, March 22, 2011 AKP – A Cambodian tourism delegation led by its Minister H.E. Thong Khon returned home on Mar. 21 after paying a visit to Russia and Switzerland.

In the first country, Russia, the Cambodian delegation has signed a joint action work plan on tourism cooperation with the Russian counterpart, H.E. Thong Khon told a press conference at Phnom Penh International Airport.

The action work plan focuses on tourism propaganda, human resource training, especially on Russian language, tourism skills, travel and transport facilitation, visit and document exchanges, etc., he explained.

Both sides have also agreed to push up the direct flight between the two countries due to the increasing number of Russian tourists to Cambodia, said H.E. Thong Khon, indicating that in 2010, some 40,000 Russian visitors came to Cambodia, an increase of 70 percent if compared with 2009. In January 2011 alone, he added, almost 10,000 Russian tourists were recorded, or an increase of 102 percent.

In Switzerland, he continued, the Cambodian delegation has signed an agreement on the establishment of Switzerland-supported cooking training institute in Cambodia. Switzerland has been very famous internationally for its cooking skill and other services related to hotel and tourism.

During the visit, the Cambodian delegation has met with the Swiss Chamber of Commerce and France’s CIVIPOL, which has agreed to send experts to Cambodia in June this year to train Cambodian lifeguards. –AKP

Article in Khmer by SAM Saman

Article in English by SOKMOM Nimul

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Information Minister Opens Bridge Construction Site in Koh Sotin District, Kampong Cham Province

Phnom Penh, March 22, 2011 AKP – Information Minister H.E. Khieu Kanharith opened a bridge construction site in a ceremony held in Koh Sotin district, Kampong Cham province on Mar. 20.

Speaking at the ceremony, the minister, who was accompanied by his wife, senate and parliament members of Kampong Cham constituency and Information officials, conveyed the best wishes from the Senate, National Assembly and government leaders to the local residents.

He raised the recent development situation of the country dealing with social security, public order, economy and politics.

The minister also told the participants in the ceremony of Cambodia-Thailand border situation, saying that Cambodia adhered to the stand on the resolution of the border conflict by peaceful means with the participation from the third party.

The concrete bridge, with 13.20 meters long, 4 meters wide and 3.5 meters high, is constructed at an estimated cost of US$45,000.

When completed, the bridge helps to facilitate the travel and the transportation of agricultural produce, thus contributing to the improvement of the local people’s lives.

The information minister also gave a donation to three local orphans. The donation includes three bicycles, 50 kg of milled rice and US$250 in cash.

In the meantime, he visited the premises for installing the relay radio station located in Ponhea Krek district of the province. –AKP

Article in Khmer by HUN Yuth Kun

Article in English by THOU Peou

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Cambodia Welcomes Japanese Investors

Phnom Penh, March 22, 2011 AKP – The Royal Government of Cambodia warmly welcomed a delegation of Japanese investors in a ceremony held here on Monday at Naga World Hotel under the presidency of Senior Minister and Commerce Minister H.E. Cham Prasidh.

At the welcoming ceremony, Mrs. Hun Mana, Director General of Bayon Television and Radio, briefed the Japanese investors on the country’s rapid development of macro-economy, political stability and economic growth despite the global financial and economic crisis in the past years.

For his part, H.E. Cham Prasidh said Cambodia has set up many laws and policies to encourage and protect foreign investments. –AKP

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OCIC To Establish Satellite City in Phnom Penh Capital

Phnom Penh, March 22, 2011 AKP – The Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation (OCIC) has planned to establish a satellite city on Phnom Penh’s Chroy Changvar peninsula.

The plan has been revealed here by OCIC in a recent meeting with Phnom Penh Municipal Governor H.E. Kep Chutema.

According to Mr. Pung Kheav Se, President of OCIC, the satellite city will include a botanic garden, sports facility along with commercial and residential areas. –AKP

By LIM Nary

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Cambodia’s Railways Ready for Regional Integration

Phnom Penh, March 22, 2011 AKP – Restoration, construction and development of railways to link the Capital of Phnom Penh to a number of provinces, and to join with the railroads of the neighboring countries as part of Asian railroad networks are one of the priory goals of the Royal Government of Cambodia.

To speed up the railroad development, the Royal Government of Cambodia has decided with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to restore the existing railroads and to grant railroad business operation to private sector through the international tender.

According the 2010 report of the Ministry of Public Works and Transports, the railroad reform and reconstruction has now been progressing with plans so as to improve railroad transportation capacity and to integrate into the regional system.

A US$73-million railway construction project financed by ADB, OFIC, … and Malaysia with the contributive fund of Cambodia is currently implemented on a 48-kilometer section from Serey Sophorn to Poipet as a link to the railway of Thailand. It is scheduled to be completed in 2012.

The construction of 266-kilometer section from Phnom Penh to Preah Sihanouk province is now underway, the first-phase of which was finished on 120 kilometers, or 47 percent of the total project, linking Phnom Penh to Touk Meas Station. It was put into operation in October 2010. The remaining section from Touk Meas Station to Preah Sihanouk province through to the provincial seaport is planned to finish in May 2011.

Another 338-kilometer section from Phnom Penh to the City of Serey Sophorn is also expected to complete in 2012.

At the same time, the pulled funding of US$68.6 million has also been arranged with commitment of US$42 million loan from ADB, US$21.5 million grant from AusAID and US$5.1 million contributive fund of Cambodia for another project to build warehouses, a new station at Samrong, 5 kilometer from Phnom Penh, and for railroad improvement, including a 6-kilometer exit section Kilometer No.6 in Phnom Penh. This project is planned to complete in 2013.

Apart from the aforementioned railroad projects, a 255-kilometer section project from Bat Doeung to Trapaing Sre, a link to Vietnam, which is part of Asia’s railroad networks (SKRL), ASEAN regional and Great Mekong Sub-regional system is now in planning with the feasibility study funded by China’s grant. The Royal Government of Cambodia is now seeking the funding sources for this project.

The Government’s Rectangular Strategy gives high priority to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of multimodal transport network connecting all parts of the country, and with neighbouring countries. This will enable provision of convenient, stable, safe, economically effi¬cient, lower cost transportation and logistics services network, aiming at trade facilitation, tourism promotion, and rural development, regional and global economic integration.

Plan for restoration, construction and development of railways and upgrading the speed to 50 kilometers per hour on the two lines are scheduled to be completed in 2013. –AKP

Article in Khmer by CHIM Nary

Article in English by Ravuth M.

Public gym set for Phnom Penh

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Tuesday, 22 March 2011 15:02Tep Nimol

Phnom Penh Municipal Hall announced plans on Sunday to build the city’s first indoor public gym on the riverside in Daun Penh district’s Chey Chumneah commune.

Seng Leng, chief of Chey Chumneah commune, said he received an announcement letter from City Hall last week but was not aware of when construction would start.

“It will be built in an area approximately 30 metres by 50 metres in order to make it easier for people to exercise. The area has a good atmosphere because it is near the riverside and is safe,” he said yesterday.

The municipal website said the gym would open in April or May with about 13 different types of exercise equipment imported from overseas.

Since residents of Phnom Penh are interested in improving their health through outdoor exercise, city hall decided to build a public gym for the people, the website said.

“City hall hopes and strongly believes that all people will use the equipment responsibly and consider it their property in order to be good citizens.”

The website added that city hall has plans for more recreation centres in the near future.