REAKSMEY KONGKEA

Tuebingen Chamber Orchestra Performs in Phnom Penh BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA Cambodia and German will organize a joint concert called “Tuebingen Chamber Orchestra” on September 4 in Phnom Penh in order to exchange and promote both countries culture and their mutual good relation. They concert will be held at the Cambodian-Japanese Cooperation Center at 7:00 pm. The concert will be free of charge for all Cambodian nationals. Tickets are available at Art Café and Meta House in Phnom Penh. The joint concert is organized by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany to Cambodia in collaboration with Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, Art Foundation, Goethe-Institute, Meta House, and sponsored by Inter-continental Hotel. The concert will be presided over by His Majesty Preah Preah Karuna Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, King of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Frank M. Mann, German Ambassador to Cambodia, said that the concert is a part of the cultural exchange between the Ki...

BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA A total of 48 Cambodian media officers from different ministries, and 22 cities and provinces have participated in a photojournalism training conducted over five days from the 24th to the 28th of August in Phnom Penh. The training was organized by the Ministry of Information in collaboration with the Cambodia Scene, participants where government’s media officers as well as Cambodian photographers. Khieu Kanharith, Minister of Information, stated that the 5 day training was meant to expand the abilities of Cambodian media officers and journalist. The Ministry offered this training so that the employees in the day to day work field would keep up with the development and the progress in the media field in Cambodia. The training aims to instruct Cambodia’s media officers about their duties and responsibilities. The training offered inst...

BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA Phnom Penh is a city that is rapidly developing; entertainment, culture (traditional as well modern) and architecture are becoming more and more visible and accessible in our capital. In the twenties the city was renowned for its beauty and tranquility, and nicknamed: “the pearl of the East”. The civil war and the troubled period after damaged the architecture and development and put a hold on all cultural activities, but recently initiatives have been popping up to restore Phnom Penh to its former beauty and make it once more the cultural hot spot of Cambodia. The Java Arts/Java Café & Gallery in collaboration with the French Cultural Center (FCC), Meta House, Khmer Architecture Tours and Mith Samlanh has organized an exhibition that will combine architecture, film, photography, sculpture and dance in order to show the rapid changes of the urban environment in Phnom Penh. The project is i...

BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA On the August 27 to August 31 a Nationwide Boxkator Competition is being held at the National Stadium in Phnom Penh. Almost 300 boxers, form 18 different boxkator clubs and associations form across Cambodia will be competing. The boxkator competition is organized by the Cambodian Boxkator Federation (CBF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education Youth and Sport (MoEYS) to preserve and promote boxkator which is a Khmer traditional martial art for the next generation. Keo Thearith, 19, a boxkator fighter from Siem Reap is attending the boxkator competition in Phnom Penh. He is one of the new generations of Cambodians preserving their cultural heritage. Thearith said that he was happy to attend the competitions this year. “It is my first time to attend the boxkator competition in Phnom Penh. Although I am not experienced in fighting but with hard training and strong commitment, I will try my best to fight and win the competition,” he said. Hok Chheang Kim,...

BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA Since early June of this year the first ever Cambodian speeding camera’s have been in use. Up till now there have been 80 cases of speed violations. The drivers had their vehicles confiscated, and only after their owners paid the fine, were the vehicles released. The use of speeding camera’s is part of a bigger operation where in the Government in collaboration with national and international NGO’S is trying to increase road safety. Other measurements taken are the enforcing of helmet and mirror use laws, as well as strict control on drunken driving. Recently the police in Phnom Penh have been provided with breathalyzers. Road safety has become such an issue in Cambodia that Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen addressed it in a speech he made during a graduation ceremony at the Royal University of Law and Economics in Phnom Penh on August 12. In his speech the Premier made an urgent appeal to all motorbike riders to wear helmets and use properly installed mirrors fo...

BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen said that the private educational sector has been assisting the Royal Government of Cambodia to promote and develop education in Cambodia. “The private sector has had a strong participation in the developing and strengthening of educational quality and therefore the quality of human resources in Cambodia,” he said during his opening remarks at a graduating ceremony at the Royal University of Law and Economics in Phnom Penh on August 12. According to the Prime Minister the private sector has done a great job promoting education and so produces the future scholars and qualified work forces of Cambodia. “Besides the government’s investment, the private sector invests and the family of students investing in education, he said, adding that all of this showed the common goals of the Cambodian people and the Royal Government of Cambodia.” The Premier said due to hard work and the efforts of many people and organizations, the educational ...

BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA Fresh back from his year in China Thay Sokun, 20, is enjoying a well deserved vacation with his family in Phnom Penh. The past year he spent in China, he studied Civil Engineering at the Tianjin University (TU). With one year of education at The University of Cambodia behind him, he was able to beat 500 candidates for the scholarship, in the exam set by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport in early July of 2008. While studying at UC he passed a scholarship exam that has opened the door to another five years of study in China. After being a very successful Samdech Hun Sen–Handa scholarship student at The University of Cambodia (UC) in 2007, he jumped at the chance to study abroad. “I decided to apply for this scholarship because I want to make a valuable contribution to the Kingdom of Cambodia. Armed with Chinese education I felt I would be able to improve social developments, infrastructures and engineering in Cambodia’s future,” Sokun stated. Since he em...

BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA Fresh back from his year in China Thay Sokun, 20, is enjoying a well deserved vacation with his family in Phnom Penh. The past year he spent in China, he studied Civil Engineering at the Tianjin University (TU). With one year of education at The University of Cambodia behind him, he was able to beat 500 candidates for the scholarship, in the exam set by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport in early July of 2008. While studying at UC he passed a scholarship exam that has opened the door to another five years of study in China. After being a very successful Samdech Hun Sen–Handa scholarship student at The University of Cambodia (UC) in 2007, he jumped at the chance to study abroad. “I decided to apply for this scholarship because I want to make a valuable contribution to the Kingdom of Cambodia. Armed with Chinese education I felt I would be able to improve social developments, infrastructures and engineering in Cambodia’s future,” Sokun stated. Since he em...

BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA A total of 101 Karate-do fighters, including 13 female fighters, from cities and provinces across the country will participate in the five day nationwide Karate-do competition from the 12th to the 16th August 2009 at the National Stadium in Phnom Penh. In November the definitive qualifications will be held at Open Cup. The competition is organized by the Cambodian Karate-do Federation (CKF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education Youth and Sport to select the fighters who will be entering the 25th SEA Games, to be held in Vientiane, Laos at the end of this year. Besides this, the competition also promotes the karate-do sport as well as general health, according to Master Lach Chan Sovan, black belt 6th Dan, President of the Cambodian Karate-do Federation and also President of the Wado-Ryu Karate Academy in Phnom Penh. The competition has been divided in a male and a female group, both groups competing in show and fighting rounds. In the male competitio...

BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA The Royal Government of Cambodia has called on all ASEAN members to closely cooperate and take strict measures in combating and preventing terrorism, piracy, illegal weapon trade and money laundering in order to provide security, peace, political stability and development in the region Dr. Sok An, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in charge of the Council of Ministers made his statement during the opening speech at the closing ceremony of the ”Security Challenges Associated with Terrorism in Southeast Asia” meeting on August 21 at the InterContinental Hotel in Phnom Penh. Dr. Sok An, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in charge of the Council of Ministers, said that nowadays, terrorism is a threat to people in this region and the entire world. The Deputy Prime Minister said that besides this, weapon and drug smuggling, piracy, and money laundering have impacted the development and economic growth. “It is a threat to the regional and global security, peace and...

BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA Thoeun Mony Vicheka, 19, has just completed the first year of his study at the Friendship University 80 (FU) in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam and in currently back in Phnom Penh to spend his vacation with his family. In 2007 Mony Vicheka joined The University of Cambodia as a Samdech Hun Sen–Handa National Scholarship student. When his first year at UC was almost finished, he spotted an announcement from the Ministry of Education Youth and Sport. They were offering a 7-year scholarship for a General Medicine study in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Jumping at this opportunity, Mony Vicheka entered the exam. After beating more than a 1,000 candidates in the exam, he embarked on his adventure in December 2008 when he moved to Vietnam. During an interview with The Southeast Asia Weekly, Mony Vicheka stated that he applied for the Vietnamese Scholarship because he wants to contribute to Cambodia’s future. “First of all I want to be part of the rebuilding and develop...

BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA A workshop on “How to Build a More Research-Oriented Faculty” was held on August 19 in Phnom Penh at The University of Cambodia (UC). The workshop was presided over by Dr. Angus Munro, Vice President of UC. Katherine Marshall, Professor of the Georgetown University, and Head of the World Faiths Development Dialogue was the lecture at the workshop. Dr Angus Munro said that the workshop aimed to improve the research abilities of the faculty members and staff of the UC. He added that the workshop will promote a culture of research at UC. “Cambodian society needs to recognize the importance of research. Research can contribute at a national and international level, an institutional level or individual level. However, it is of vital importance that the research methods are of a high standard. The examination of all assumptions and presumption is at het base of every research,” he said during his opening remarks at the workshop. Katherine Marshall, also Head of the ...

BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA The Royal Government of Cambodia and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam have launched a Free Trade Zone between the two countries at the Tinh Bien-Phnom Den International Checkpoint economic zone to promote and strengthen the bilateral trade and economic cooperation between both countries. To celebrate the opening there will be a two day festival: the Vietnamese High Quality Products festival, held on the 22nd and the 23rd of August. The launching ceremony of the joint Free Trade Zone was announced on a press conference presided over by Cambodia’s Ministry of Commerce, the People’s Committee of An Giang province of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to Cambodia in Phnom Penh on August 18. Cambodian as well as Vietnamese traders will be able to sell their goods across the border, free of tax for the upcoming three years. Mao Thora, Secretary of S...

BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA Three Cambodian Kun Khmer kick-boxers have competed with three selected e foreign boxers from Russia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom on August 20 in Phnom Pen in order to exchange their techniques and fighting experiences. The boxing competition was organized by Cambodian Television Network (CTN) in collaboration with the Cambodian Amateur Boxing Association (CABA) in order to promote Khmer traditional boxing, known as Kun Khmer Kick-boxing in the rest of the world. Two Cambodian Kun Khmer boxers, Vorn Viva and Thun Sophea, won their matches, while the fight of Sen Bunthen against the Russian Ervant Atagyan ended in a draw. Vorn Viva, 23, weight 73 kg, a World Class Kick-Boxing Champion from Preah Khan Reach Club at the Military Police Headquarters, competed with Charlie Gillispie, 21, weight 73 kg, from the United Kingdom. Thun Sophea, 26, weight 69, from the Ministry of National Defense’s Boxing Association, fou...

BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA Three Cambodian Kun Khmer kick-boxers have competed with three selected e foreign boxers from Russia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom on August 20 in Phnom Pen in order to exchange their techniques and fighting experiences. The boxing competition was organized by Cambodian Television Network (CTN) in collaboration with the Cambodian Amateur Boxing Association (CABA) in order to promote Khmer traditional boxing, known as Kun Khmer Kick-boxing in the rest of the world. Two Cambodian Kun Khmer boxers, Vorn Viva and Thun Sophea, won their matches, while the fight of Sen Bunthen against the Russian Ervant Atagyan ended in a draw. Vorn Viva, 23, weight 73 kg, a World Class Kick-Boxing Champion from Preah Khan Reach Club at the Military Police Headquarters, competed with Charlie Gillispie, 21, weight 73 kg, from the United Kingdom. Thun Sophea, 26, weight 69, from the Ministry of National Defense’s Boxing Association, fou...

BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA In an effort to computerize all government functions NiDA (National Information Communications Technology Development Authority) has announced on August 5 to start implementing PAIS (Provincial Administration Information System). This system will allow the automatic registration of residents, vehicles and real estate on a provincial level. Dr. Sok An, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in charge of the Council of Ministers stated that the new system will help to control and speed up the government’s officials works in the future. The Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Sok An further stated, “Besides automation this system will promote working transparency, and increase the efficiency and productivity of the government’s officials and workers in all cities and provinces throughout the Kingdom of Cambodia.” The NiDa has been working on the computerization of the works of the Cambodian government since 2002. In 2004 the first step of the computerization of the government w...

BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA The Police Master Trainers have received training on HIV/AIDS Peer education at the Police Headquarters of the Ministry of Interior in Phnom Penh on the 3rd to the 7th of August 2009. The training aimed to integrate HIV/AIDS education into the standard police training program, and so combating the spread of HIV/AIDS in Cambodia. The HIV/AIDS Peer Education training was organized by the AIDS Secretariat of the Ministry of Interior which was financial supported by the USAID, PRASIT and FHI. Lieutenant General Pen Vibol, Director of the AIDS Secretariat in the Ministry of Interior, said that the training aimed to inform the police forces about how to protect themselves, their families and their communities from HIV/AIDS. “By training the police we will be better able to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS in Cambodia.” “So far, HIV/AIDS is still an important issue and a strong concern in Cambodia despite that its rate prevalence has been decreasing compared to neighborin...

BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA As of last weekend Cambodia has gained her first ever female Khmer Boxing referee. Saing Somaly, 31, wife of boxing champion E Phouthorng has refereed her first match last weekend at the Olympic Stadium. Somaly, oldest of four siblings has been involved in the sport since she was a child. “I am happy that I was selected as the first female Khmer boxing referee in Cambodia. To fulfill this work well, I will be working hard and do my best to manage and provide fair and good judgment for all the fighters at all arenas in Cambodia,” Somaly told The Southeast Asia Weekly. She continued by saying that she has loved the sports since she was a child. While growing up in Koh Kong province she spent a year being trained by a veteran boxing coach. She continued her training with her husband, and followed him to all his matches. It is believed that Khmer Boxing originates as far back as the 10th century. Originating from the Kingdom of Angkor it shares is roots with region...

By BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA As of last weekend Cambodia has gained her first ever female Khmer Boxing referee. Saing Somaly, 31, wife of boxing champion E Phouthorng has refereed her first match last weekend at the Olympic Stadium. Somaly, oldest of four siblings has been involved in the sport since she was a child. “I am happy that I was selected as the first female Khmer boxing referee in Cambodia. To fulfill this work well, I will be working hard and do my best to manage and provide fair and good judgment for all the fighters at all arenas in Cambodia,” Somaly told The Southeast Asia Weekly. She continued by saying that she has loved the sports since she was a child. While growing up in Koh Kong province she spent a year being trained by a veteran boxing coach. She continued her training with her husband, and followed him to all his matches. It is believed that Khmer Boxing originates as far back as the 10th century. Originating from the Kingdom of Angkor it shares is roots with region...

BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA A total of 90 table tennis players including 32 female players from 11 table tennis associations have attended the nationwide table tennis competition for five days, started on July 28 to August 1, 2009 at the National Stadium in Phnom Penh. The nationwide table tennis competition was organized by the Cambodia Table Tennis Federation (CTTF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education Youth and Sport (MoEYS). Sun Sothearith, Secretary-General of CTTF, said that his federation has been organizing this nationwide table tennis competition since 1982 to promote people’s health and sport in Cambodia. He said the main purpose of the competition was to select the best table tennis players or most capable players to representing the country for the year of 2009. We support people to play table tennis so that they can have good health which can contribute to the human resources development and progress of Cambodia, and especially to prepare for future international ...

BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA Dr. Mom Kong, Executive Director of the Cambodia Movement for Health, said that tobacco is still a strong concern for the Cambodian people as many people now have been using tobacco products every day. Dr. Kong said that besides affecting the peoples’ health, tobacco has been affecting the Cambodian economy especially for those who are addicted and feel they must use tobacco products every day. “I noted that so far, although the tobacco users or cigarette smokers seemed to be decreasing, tobacco is still a danger for the people of Cambodia. Tobacco has been affecting both peoples’ health and their economy,” he said at a press conference on August 1. The Executive Director said that according to a survey conducted by his organization, Cambodian people are spending approximately US$ 70 million per year on tobacco products in Cambodia. This amount of money does not included medical check-ups or other treatments that they [smokers or tobacco users] must receive due...

BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA Prime Minister Hun Sen said tourism is a main pillar in which helps supports the economic growth in Cambodia. Due to the downfall of the global economy and financial crisis, Cambodian tourism has been falling since the end of 2008 and during the first six months of year 2009. The Premier said that to retrieve the tourists and promote the tourism sector in Cambodia, the Cambodian government is now working hard to strengthening the peace, political stability, security, social orders, and personal safety of tourists in Cambodia. “The Royal Government of Cambodia will pay attention to the strengthening of tourism sector in short, medium and long-term periods through the guarantee of peace, political stability, security and social orders in Cambodia,” he said during his closing remarks at the Annual Congress of the Ministry of Tourism on July 30. To achieve these goals, the government will have a meeting with private partners and other involved development partners ...

BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA The Government of Japan has provided grant aid totaling ¥3,305,000,000 (approximately US$33.05 million) in response to the request from the Royal Government of Cambodia, aiming to promoting the economic development and stabilization of Cambodia. This Japanese grant aid was officially announced during the Exchange of Note for Extending Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) between Hor Namhong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Katsuhiro Shinohara, Japanese Ambassador to Cambodia. Prime Minister Hun Sen presided over the signing ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on July 30. The Japanese grant aid is aimed to contribute to the execution of three main projects including the improvement of the National Road Number 1; the Construction of the Marine Aquaculture Development Center in Preah Sihanouk province; and for Rural Drinking Water Supply in...

BY BUHT REAKSMEY KONGKEA The establishment of the National Airline Company “Cambodia Angkor Air”, which is a joint venture company between the Royal Government of Cambodia and Vietnam Airlines, has officially been launched to boost the Cambodian economy, tourism, and jobs creation in the country. The National Airline Company is a joint venture between the Cambodian Government, owning 51 percent, and Vietnamese Airlines, owning 49 percent, which will be conducting for over 30 years, according to an agreement on the establishment of Cambodia National Airlines. The launching ceremony took place at the Phnom Penh International Airport on July 27, presided over by Prime Minister Hun Sen and Truong Vinh Trong, Deputy Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The Premier said the launch of Cambodia Angkor Air represents another pride of Cambodia in its effort to revive its National Airlines. He added that this achievement cannot be separated from the support from and close cooperat...

BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA A total of 90 table tennis players including 32 female players from 11 table tennis associations have attended the nationwide table tennis competition for five days, started on July 28 to August 1, 2009 at the National Stadium in Phnom Penh. The nationwide table tennis competition was organized by the Cambodia Table Tennis Federation (CTTF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education Youth and Sport (MoEYS). Sun Sothearith, Secretary-General of CTTF, said that his federation has been organizing this nationwide table tennis competition since 1982 to promote people’s health and sport in Cambodia. He said the main purpose of the competition was to select the best table tennis players or most capable players to representing the country for the year of 2009. We support people to play table tennis so that they can have good health which can contribute to the human resources development and progress of Cambodia, and especially to prepare for future international ...