Sihanoukville & Cambodia news
Explore reports and sources in their current published editions.
Poipet casino known as Galaxy International loses licence; seven suspects referred to court
According to Cambodia’s gambling regulator, KMH Paradise Tower Casino and Hotel in Poipet, bearing the Chinese name “Galaxy International,” lost its casino licence following a May 7 inspection. Seven suspects were referred to court in an investigation involving alleged online scams, torture and illegal weapons possession.
Read the original report or page ↗Trump says blockade on Iran will remain until agreement is signed
On May 24, 2026, US President Donald Trump said the blockade on Iran would remain until an agreement was reached, certified and signed. He told negotiators not to rush, while details were still under discussion.
Read the original report or page ↗Poipet inspections find 275 Indonesian nationals at four locations
Inspections in Poipet on May 24, 2026 found 275 Indonesian nationals, including 40 women, at four locations. The report separately described 18 people found in another building and a further site that was temporarily sealed.
Read the original report or page ↗Acting Head of State Hun Sen receives outgoing Hungarian ambassador
Cambodia’s Acting Head of State Hun Sen received outgoing Hungarian Ambassador Tibor Baloghdi at the Senate’s Solidarity Palace on the morning of May 25, 2026.
Read the original report or page ↗Wang Wenbin visits Veun Sai Chinese village with more than 130 years of settlement history
Chinese Ambassador Wang Wenbin visited the Chinese community in Veun Sai, Rattanakiri. He recalled Hakka settlers from Huiyang, Guangdong, who arrived more than 130 years ago, and generations of coexistence with local residents.
Read the original report or page ↗Sihanoukville gendarmes detain six suspects in Prey Nop drug operation
Gendarmes detained six suspects in Prey Nop on the evening of May 23, 2026. Seized items included 17 small packets of white crystalline material suspected to be drugs, weighing 2.80 grams including packaging, and six phones.
Read the original report or page ↗Cambodia’s Health Ministry issues prevention notice on COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1
In May 2026, Cambodia’s Ministry of Health issued a notice on protection against COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1, citing increased transmission in several countries and areas, particularly in the Western Pacific region.
Read the original report or page ↗Wang Wenbin voices firm support for Cambodia’s crackdown on online scams
Chinese Ambassador Wang Wenbin posted in Khmer and English on Facebook on the evening of May 24, 2026, commending and firmly supporting Cambodia’s efforts to eradicate online scam crimes.
Read the original report or page ↗Hun Sen calls for dismissal, legal action and asset freezes for officials involved in online scams
On May 24, 2026, Cambodia’s Acting Head of State Hun Sen called for action against scam networks and implicated officials, distinguishing direct involvement from failure to enforce the law. He also urged tougher action in Rattanakiri and Mondulkiri.
Read the original report or page ↗Sihanoukville’s concrete Road 123-13 nears completion, set to benefit over 4,000 households
Governor Mang Sineth inspected construction of Road 123-13 in Village 1, Sangkat 3, Sihanoukville, on May 24, 2026. The donor-funded road is over 300 metres long, eight metres wide and 0.15 metres thick, with more than 4,000 households expected to benefit.
Read the original report or page ↗Pailin inspections of suspected scam sites lead to document checks on 17 foreigners
Pailin authorities inspected five locations in Pailin city and Sala Krao district on May 23, 2026. Seventeen foreigners staying near one location were detained for document checks and further procedures; the report did not establish their guilt.
Read the original report or page ↗Concrete Road 123-13 in Sihanoukville nears completion, set to benefit over 4,000 households
Governor Mang Sineth inspected Road 123-13 in Village 1, Sangkat 3 on May 24, 2026. The nearly completed concrete road is over 300 metres long, eight metres wide and 15 centimetres thick, and is expected to benefit more than 4,000 households.
Read the original report or page ↗Hun Sen warns online scams could become a future national disaster
At a Phnom Penh meeting on May 24, 2026, Senate President and Acting Head of State Hun Sen warned that online scams harmed Cambodia’s reputation and could threaten future national security. He called for action against scam networks and complicit or inactive officials.
Read the original report or page ↗Pailin checks five suspected scam sites and detains 17 foreigners for document verification
Joint officers inspected three locations in Pailin city and two in Sala Krao district on May 23, 2026. They seized suspected evidence and detained 17 foreigners staying near one site to verify their documents; any offences remained under investigation.
Read the original report or page ↗Five Chinese men investigated in Phnom Penh passport and visa forgery case
Sen Sok police took five Chinese men for investigation during an administrative inspection on May 23, 2026. Seized items included 48 suspected counterfeit Chinese passports, 45 foreign work permits, five stamps and visa validity stickers. The case remained under investigation.
Read the original report or page ↗Hun Sen calls for anti-scam action alongside accountability for implicated officials
According to spokesman Chea Thyrith, Acting Head of State and Senate President Hun Sen called for anti-scam operations alongside investigations and legal action against implicated officials. He spoke at Koh Pich on the morning of May 24, 2026.
Read the original report or page ↗Poipet’s Galaxy International casino has gambling licence revoked
According to the gambling regulator’s secretariat on May 22, 2026, Poipet’s Galaxy International casino had its licence revoked over online scam activities. A May 7 operation led to seven arrests and equipment seizures; suspects were referred to prosecutors for legal proceedings.
Read the original report or page ↗Cambodia urges AICHR action to help more than 32,000 displaced civilians return home
In a Cambodian Human Rights Committee release dated May 22, 2026, Alternate Representative to AICHR Pa Ponnarada called for urgent measures to help more than 32,000 displaced Cambodians return safely and with dignity. He spoke at AICHR’s 43rd meeting in Jakarta.
Read the original report or page ↗Thai police arrest 22 foreigners in Koh Phangan nominee-business investigation
Thai media reported on May 23, 2026 that more than 300 officers joined phase two of a Koh Phangan nominee-business investigation. Police said one group of 32 companies involved 45 land plots covering over 40 rai, 22 foreign arrests and estimated losses exceeding 200 million baht.
Read the original report or page ↗Culture minister briefs diplomats on Cambodia’s position on border heritage sites
Culture and Fine Arts Minister Phoeurng Sackona briefed 44 heads and representatives of diplomatic missions and international organisations on May 22, 2026. She outlined Cambodia’s position on heritage sites along the Thai border and reiterated support for peaceful dispute resolution.
Read the original report or page ↗Hun Manet calls for preparedness against Ebola and hantavirus outbreaks
At the May 22, 2026 cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Hun Manet called for the Health Ministry and relevant institutions to maintain preparedness against Ebola and hantavirus, strengthen surveillance and raise public awareness. The original report said neither disease had been detected in Cambodia at that time.
Read the original report or page ↗Preah Sihanouk prosecutors charge 12 Chinese suspects in online fraud and money-laundering case
In a May 22, 2026 statement, the Preah Sihanouk Provincial Court prosecutor’s office said it had charged 12 Chinese suspects, including one woman, and associates at large over organised, premeditated online fraud and money laundering. A May 8 operation seized 34 computer units, 517 all-in-one computers and 3,795 phones.
Read the original report or page ↗Cambodian labour authorities help 61 recruitment-scam victims find legitimate jobs
A May 23, 2026 report said Cambodia’s National Employment Agency and local authorities helped 61 recruitment-scam victims, including 24 women, attend legitimate interviews. Twenty were offered permanent roles; 41 passed initial screening but still faced document checks and tests.
Read the original report or page ↗Cambodian labour ministry pledges safer worker transport after crashes kill 14 and injure 79
Citing a labour ministry report, the original article put casualties from two May 23, 2026 crashes in Kampong Chhnang and Svay Rieng at 93 as of 10am: 14 dead and 79 injured. The total of 93 included the dead; it was not the number injured.
Read the original report or page ↗Initial report: two May 23 crashes in Cambodia leave 13 workers dead
Initial information from labour ministry spokesman Sun Mesa on May 23, 2026 put deaths at eight in Kampong Chhnang and five in Svay Rieng. These were preliminary figures cited in the original article, rather than the final figures after later updates.
Read the original report or page ↗Mondulkiri police and military police chiefs removed; official orders give no reason
Two separate government orders dated May 22, 2026 removed Mondulkiri police chief Lor Sokha and military police commander Hem Bonarel. The documents gave no specific reason. Media reports linking the removals to anti-scam failures cited unnamed sources, not a published official finding.
Read the original report or page ↗Phnom Penh raids at three homes lead to detention of 26 Chinese nationals
Cambodia’s state news agency, citing the anti-scam commission secretariat on May 23, 2026, reported that 26 Chinese nationals were detained at three homes in Chbar Ampov and Sen Sok on May 22. Twenty-two reportedly could not produce passports. The people and equipment were transferred to Phnom Penh police.
Read the original report or page ↗Mondulkiri police and military police chiefs removed without an official reason being stated
Two separate sub-decrees dated May 22, 2026 removed Mondulkiri police chief Lor Sokha and provincial military police commander Hem Bonarel. The documents did not state reasons. Media accounts linking the removals to ineffective action against online scams cited unnamed sources.
Read the original report or page ↗Initial report: Kampong Chhnang road crash leaves nine dead and 45 injured
The preliminary report cited in this article put casualties at nine dead and 45 injured as of 7:55am on May 23, 2026, following a crash on National Road 5 in Kampong Tralach district, Kampong Chhnang province. These were early-stage figures, rather than final figures after subsequent updates.
Read the original report or page ↗Thai police arrest two suspected account providers in gold-investment scam involving nearly 2.7 million baht
Thai media, citing police on May 20, 2026, reported the arrest of two suspected account providers in an online gold-investment scam. A civil servant contacted on TikTok was directed to a platform calling itself “ZFX” and made 15 transfers, losing nearly 2.7 million baht. Claims of UK ties and Thai registration were part of the solicitation.
Read the original report or page ↗Nine suspected monk impersonators detained in Phnom Penh; one monk receives guidance
Authorities and the Por Senchey district monastic council detained nine suspected monk impersonators on the morning of May 22, 2026. One genuine monk was separately counselled about collecting alms at places considered unsuitable under monastic discipline. The nine suspects were handed to police for further procedures.
Read the original report or page ↗Officials urge responsible sand extraction and stronger environmental safeguards in Kratie
Water ministry officials called for responsible sand extraction and technical controls at a May 21, 2026, event in Kratie. Then-deputy governor Kong Kimny reported seven construction gravel and sand businesses with seven licences along the Mekong. Officials warned that poor management could harm riverbanks, biodiversity and livelihoods.
Read the original report or page ↗Casino licence revoked for KMH Paradise Tower in Poipet after alleged illegal activities
Cambodia’s gambling regulator revoked the casino licence for KMH Paradise Tower Casino and Hotel in Poipet on May 22, 2026. Its notice cited alleged online scams, torture and illegal weapons found during a May 7 operation in which seven suspects were detained and numerous phones and computers seized.
Read the original report or page ↗Cambodia rejects Thai allegation linking its forces to five gunshots near the border
On May 22, 2026, defence spokesperson Maly Socheata rejected a Thai allegation linking Cambodian troops to five gunshots near Samraong, Oddar Meanchey. Cambodia called for compliance with the December 27, 2025, joint statement on combating misinformation and reaffirmed its commitment to existing border mechanisms and peaceful dialogue.
Read the original report or page ↗Sun Chanthol and Pengbo delegation discuss investment progress and environmental protection
On May 19, 2026, Deputy Prime Minister and CDC First Vice-Chairman Sun Chanthol met a delegation from China’s Pengbo Group. They discussed project progress, investment facilitation and environmental protection. The company outlined plans for future expansion and more local employment.
Read the original report or page ↗Gendarmerie intervene over motorcycle wheelies in Run Ta Ek Techo Sen city
Gendarmes in Run Ta Ek Techo Sen city, Siem Reap province, reportedly detained people performing motorcycle wheelies on public roads on May 21, 2026, for counselling and penalties, and required them to give undertakings. The report urged young people to obey traffic rules and protect other road users.
Read the original report or page ↗Cambodia and Hainan explore tourism MoU, flight links and joint promotion
Cambodian Tourism Minister Huot Hak met Hainan Governor Liu Xiaoming in Haikou on May 21, 2026. They explored a tourism cooperation MoU, direct flight links, joint travel products and promotion. The minister also proposed familiarisation trips to Cambodia for Hainan tourism businesses, media and content creators.
Read the original report or page ↗Dei Edth–Thma Kor Mekong bridge project reaches 50.8% completion by mid-May 2026
A project report carried by Cambodia’s transport ministry put the Dei Edth–Thma Kor Mekong bridge project at 50.8% completion by mid-May 2026. The 3.7-kilometre project in Kandal includes a 1,600-metre river bridge, 26 metres wide. Its groundbreaking took place on June 7, 2023.
Read the original report or page ↗Cambodia approves in principle police rank levels for officers taking over posts
A May 21, 2026, Council of Ministers letter to Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Sokha conveyed in-principle approval for rank levels tied to posts held by incoming National Police officers and equivalent units. The schedule covers positions from Commissioner-General to deputy heads of commune administrative police posts.
Read the original report or page ↗Three reported mushroom-poisoning patients evacuated from Koh Rong by speedboat
Three people reportedly suffered mushroom poisoning in Sok San village, Koh Rong, after 11 p.m. on May 21, 2026. A rescue team sent a speedboat to bring them to Sihanoukville’s tourist port, followed by a GTVC ambulance transfer to a hospital in Preah Sihanouk province for emergency treatment.
Read the original report or page ↗Preah Sihanouk workshop discusses zoning for Koh Rong Marine National Park
A provincial workshop on zoning Koh Rong Marine National Park was held in Preah Sihanouk on May 21, 2026. Deputy Governor Long Dimanche stressed careful study to balance conservation and sustainable community use. Partners included Cambodia’s environment ministry, China’s National Ocean Technology Center and Fauna & Flora.
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