Prince Group Pushes Back, Goodnight Chicken Gets Plucked, Dolphins Resurface in Kratie

Good morning, Cambodia. It's Friday, February 16, and this is your Weekly Dispatch.

• BE MINE: Valentine’s Day came and went with a typically charming Khmer twist, as authorities urged the Kingdom’s lovebirds to express devotion with local produce. Nothing says “love” like fruits and vegetables.

• SHELL SHOCK: It was a week of wins for the environment: two baby dolphins were discovered near Kratie, and hundreds of Royal Turtle eggs were unearthed in Koh Kong. Both native species are fighting to survive.

• GRAY SKIES: Satellite images identified thousands of small fires as the cause of the region’s “trans-boundary haze.” Farmers clearing land have sent smoke to Thailand and the smog will get worse this weekend.

THE LEDE

Power Trio

Call it the second coming of The Strongman.

Hun Sen will be named the next Senate president following the almost-certain CPP blowout in this month’s upper house elections. The appointment makes the former prime minister the acting head of state when King Norodom Sihamoni is out of the country, and grants him the power to sign legislation into law. Hun Many, The Strongman’s second son and the current prime minister’s brother, will be promoted to deputy prime minister.

The moves cap Hun Sen’s 40-year grip on Cambodian politics and cements his family’s reign for generations to come.

Prince, Part II

The Prince Group clapped back at RFA, threatening legal action over a series of stories alleging the company laundered more than $1 billion in dirty profits made from “pig butchering” scams and illegal online casinos.

The conglomerate flatout rejected many of the articles’ claims. It accused the U.S.-funded outlet of shoddy journalism and said it deliberately published the exposé over Chinese New Year — when spokespersons were unavailable for comment — to inflict maximum reputational harm.

Even so, it has yet to refute the overall premise of the reporting — or explain how the company made all those billions.

Wild Cambodia

The Kingdom’s conservation efforts are finally paying off.

Researchers in Kratie province discovered two newborn Irrawaddy dolphins, adding to evidence that the critically endangered mammals are making a comeback. Scientists have recorded more births than deaths since 2022.

On the southern coast, conservationists in Koh Kong province collected more than 200 Royal Turtle eggs from an artificial sand bank — one of the largest hauls in years. The southern river terrapin, Cambodia's national reptile, ranks among the world’s 25 most endangered freshwater turtles.

Experts believe the Kingdom holds great potential for ecotourism, and the government is making efforts to protect critical areas.

TALKING POINTS

Smash Mouth

Provincial courts convicted two well-known activists of incitement, continuing a string of decisions that rights groups say are designed to silence critics of the CPP. A Ratanakiri court sentenced Chhorn Phalla, an environmental campaigner, to a year in prison, while a Banteay Meanchey court ordered Chao Veasna jailed for three years for allegedly posting an image of a spoiled election ballot to a Telegram chat group — an allegation the Candlelight Party official denies.

Great Stall

A late-year surge in arrivals boosted tourism revenue to just over $3 billion in 2023, more than doubling last year’s $1.4 billion. Cambodia registered 5.5 million visitors in 2023 — 4.3 million tourists, 1 million business travelers and the rest “other.” Thailand (1.8 million) and Vietnam (1 million) led the way, with China (548,000) still a distant third. Notably, just 151,000 Chinese visitors registered as tourists — the rest arrived on business.

Bad Poultry

A 9-year-old boy died from bird flu and his 16-year-old brother tested positive for the virus. Health officials found several diseased birds at the family’s home and believe the boys were infected by eating tainted meat. The older boy has been hospitalized without symptoms, and authorities are testing known contacts.

Work Force

In a rare win for organized labor, three factory employees returned to work after allegedly being fired for joining the union. The reinstatements, which include back pay, followed a year of negotiations between the Collective Union Movement of Workers and VF Corporation, a U.S. company. Activists urged the government to address “systematic labor rights violations.”

Burn Season

Cambodia is a regional hotbed of flames, with more than 4,000 fires polluting the air and pumping plumes of choking smoke into Thailand. The fires are largely from burning crops, as farmers clear land for cultivation.

Elaborate Lies

A Taiwanese social-media influencer who live-streamed his apparent escape from a Sihanoukville scam mill is now in police custody, accused of fabricating the whole story. The streamer, known as Goodnight Chicken, admitted it was all a hoax to get more followers.

Alt Love

Forget chocolate and roses on Valentine’s Day: Cambodian authorities urged lovers to show their affection through the purchase of high-quality local produce. Tith Dina, the minister of agriculture, called exchanging vegetables a wonderful expression of devotion, while numerous others warned young women against “immoral” acts spurred by Cupid’s arrow.

BACKPAGES: From The Cambodia Daily Vault

Hun Sen’s Nephew Languishes in Prey Sar

February 12, 2004
Prison time has taken a toll on Nhim Sophea, the nephew of Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has reportedly lost 3 kg in weight while awaiting trial over his alleged role in the killing of three people following a car smash and shooting in October.

Police To Ignore Deaths of 2 Hun Sen Guards

February 10, 2004
The deaths of two bodyguards from gunfire at Prime Minister Hun Sen’s residence will not be in­vestigated, police sources said Monday.

Commercials Show Kind Men, Good Beer Girls

February 10, 2004
Two commercials aimed at en­couraging women to choose the right wedding partner and teach men that beer promotion girls are not necessarily prostitutes have aired to good reviews on Cam­bo­dian television and radio stations.

WEEKEND READING

Human trafficking victim says he was forced to target Canadians in crypto investment scam

Investment fraud represented highest proportion of victim losses in Canada in 2023.

Photos: Hun family, via Hun Many’s Facebook page. Chinese tourists, Xinhua.
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