Chinese Tourists Stay Home, Kith Meng Builds Island Airport, Another Opposition Leader Jailed
Happy Lunar New Year, Cambodia! It’s Friday, January 20, and this is your Weekly Dispatch.
BOUNCED OUT: Another opposition leader was arrested, this time for writing bad checks. Thach Setha, a Candlelight Party vice president, is now in jail awaiting trial. The plaintiff: A money-lender with ties to the CPP.
ISLAND AIR: Oknha Kith Meng is building a $300 million airport on Koh Rong, the Kingdom’s most popular island. A Chinese-owned company got the construction contract, as usual. Flights expected by 2028.
RAIN PAIN: Uncommon dry-season rains destroyed crops, flooded homes and washed out roads and bridges around the country. Expect dry weather soon, meteorologists said, and conditions for farmers to improve.
THE LEDE
Fiery Tones
The Strongman once again bolstered his reputation as an iron-fisted authoritarian, unleashing threats and diatribes against critics large and small — and going a long way in silencing debate ahead of national elections in July.
He ordered police to find a person who insulted him on Facebook, threatened more lawsuits against opposition leaders who criticized the CPP, and warned foreigners to stay out of Cambodia’s affairs.
He didn’t stop there. “Your wife and your children are in Phnom Penh,” Hun Sen warned would-be critics. “Don’t be foolish. I’m not using your wife and children as hostages, but you should not go too far.”
China Arrivals
Travel industry insiders are warning that the expected flood of big-spending Chinese tourists will more likely be a trickle.
A hoped-for boom over Lunar New Year failed to materialize. Chinese tourists largely stayed home, or visited more developed destinations like Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.
The post-Covid Chinese tourist is different, experts said, preferring value and unique experiences over conspicuous shopping and spending. Cambodia must adapt to compete with its neighbors.
Even so, the Kingdom is betting heavy on tourism, forecasting 4.6 million air arrivals this year, with more than a million from China.
Summer Soaker
Uncommon dry-season rains destroyed crops, flooded homes and washed out roads and bridges around the country.
Storm surges along the Prek Tnaot River in Kandal swallowed seven homes and displaced at least 100 families. Kampong Chhnang officials reported more than 10 km of washed out roads and at least one collapsed bridge.
In Prey Veng, authorities said storm waters washed away banks on the Tonle Touch, causing several homes to crumble into the river. In Takeo, rains destroyed more than 10 hectares of paddy and damaged more than 10,000.
Dryer weather is expected soon, weather officials said, and farming conditions should improve as waters recede.
TALKING POINTS
Insufficient Funds
Candlelight Party Vice President Thach Setha was arrested for writing bad checks and jailed on pretrial detention, the third opposition leader charged with embezzlement in recent weeks. A money-lender with ties to the ruling party said the opposition leader tried to cover loans with five bad checks.
Forest Crime
The Ministry of Environment dismissed a report documenting illegal logging as the work of “political activists.” The Prey Lang Community Network discovered 73 instances of unlawful cutting during a four-day survey of the Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary. Officials said forestry crimes were decreasing.
Labor Lock
A Phnom Penh court denied bail to NagaWord union leader Chhim Sithar. She will remain in Prey Sar Prison pending trial for “inciting social chaos,” a charge related to her role organizing protests against the billion-dollar Phnom Penh gaming giant. She was arrested in November for violating terms of a previous release, conditions her lawyer said were never explained.
Numbered Days
Environmentalists fear the worst for Cambodia’s dolphins. Upstream dams in China and Laos are shrinking deep-water pools where the mammals live, leading to increased and often deadly contact with fishermen. Conservationists estimate that less than 100 remain, and deaths are surging.
Troll Fashion
No, a former Cambodian union leader will not be the next CEO of Adidas. The announcement was part of a spoof product launch at Berlin Fashion Week. It was all an elaborate publicity stunt to highlight labor abuses in the fashion industry.
Clear Skies
The Royal Group, led by tycoon Kith Meng, announced plans for a $300 million airport on Koh Rong, the Kingdom’s largest and most popular island. Construction will be handled by a Chinese-owned company, leading to speculation the airstrip may play a role in Beijing’s string-of-pearls strategy. Completion is expected by 2028.
No Limits
Teenage boozing has caught the attention of the authorities, who are pushing to establish and enforce a minimum drinking age. Nearly 30% of males aged 15–19 drink alcohol, according to the WHO, and Cambodia is one of the few countries without a minimum drinking age. A law has been in the works for years.
BACKPAGES: From The Cambodia Daily Vault
Wife of Slain F’pec Candidate Is Shot Dead
January 15, 2003
The wife of a slain Funcinpec commune election candidate was shot and killed by unknown assailants early Tuesday in Kompong Cham province, a police official said.
Gov’t: Global Witness Official Will Be Sued
January 15, 2003
The government’s legal chief says he will soon file a slander lawsuit against Global Witness country director Eva Galabru for accusing police of using violence against anti-logging activists.
Ieng Sary Removes KR Cadre From Movement, Magazine
January 14, 2003
Former Khmer Rouge cadre Suong Sikoeun said Monday that he has been fired from the magazine published by former Khmer Rouge foreign minister Ieng Sary and has been prohibited from speaking to journalists or contacting other Pol Pot loyalists.
Despite Complaints, Casino Near Completion
January 14, 2003
Over the objections of politicians and civil society groups, workmen are busily putting the finishing touches on the concrete structures of the new Naga Casino and hotel, a brief visit to the site on Monday revealed.
WEEKEND READING
Can Cambodia become Southeast Asia’s sustainable travel capital?
This Southeast Asian nation is hoping to do for the region what Costa Rica did for Central America – become a shining beacon of sustainability. Regional expert Alex Robinson checks in on its efforts.
Upstream dams are drowning Cambodia’s protected flooded forest
High water levels during the dry season at the Stung Treng Ramsar site have been catastrophic for its unique ecosystem and residents.
Poipet Casino Fire Highlights Cambodia’s Opaque Fire Safety Rules
Blocked exits, poor access for fire trucks, lack of sprinkler systems, poorly designed stairs, wrong mix of occupants — buildings commonly fail to meet the standards of Cambodia’s fire code, an inspection company said. But these assessments are not made public.
Photos: Hun Sen, Facebook. Prey Lang, PLCN.
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