Cambodia

"Lace and Khmer Silk Skirt": Sok Phorn received these as gifts from her husband when he proposed to her in a refugee camp. The lace was torn but she uses it as a tablecloth. (All photos by Kim Hak)
Arts

Capturing memories of the Khmer Rouge

Stories of Cambodian refugees who fled horror are unraveled from their belongings

13 August 2023
Hun Manet, son of Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen, at a polling station after voting in Phnom Penh on July 23. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi) 
Cambodia's new leadership

Children of elite set for top spots in Cambodian government

With upcoming change of leader, key posts remain within influential networks

11 August 2023
According to its website, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has a total of eight bronzes from Thailand’s so-called Prakhon Chai hoard in its collection, some of which rank “among the most important Southeast Asian bronzes of their age.” (Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art)
Arts

Art crime investigators close in on stolen Thai antiquities

Intrigue surrounds struggle with Western museums over return of smuggled Prakhon Chai statues

10 August 2023
Hun Manet waves to supporters on the last day of the election campaign on July 21 in Phnom Penh. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Politics

Hun Manet appointed by king as Cambodia's next PM

King Norodom Sihamoni releases decree detailing ascension of Hun Sen's son

7 August 2023
A Chinese Coast Guard vessel near the Spratly Islands in March: Many ASEAN nations have complained about China's activities in the South China Sea.
Opinion

ASEAN shouldn't give up on idea of South China Sea naval drill

Indonesia can revive proposal with other interested members

3 August 2023
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, right, is steeping down in August to hand power to his son, Hun Manet, left. (Source photos by Ken Kobayashi)
Cambodia's new leadership

On topic: Who is Hun Manet, Cambodia's next prime minister?

A collection of stories to catch up on a recent hot topic

29 July 2023
Children enjoy the rough and tumble of Brazilian jujitsu at H/Art Academy in Phnom Penh. The site gives youngsters the chance to break out of the concrete jungle and make new friends, according to organizers. (Photo by Markus Bell)
Life

Brazilian jujitsu uses force for good in Cambodia

Triumphs at regional contest build on social program for poorer children

29 July 2023
Hun Manet, son of Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, attends an election campaign in Phnom Penh on July 21. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Politics

Hun Manet's path to power contrasts with father's Khmer Rouge past

Long groomed for top job, West Point graduate will be Cambodia's first new PM in 38 years

27 July 2023
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, left, and his son, Hun Manet, are seen voting in these July 23 shots. (Photos by Ken Kobayashi)
Hun Sen's Cambodia

Cambodian PM Hun Sen says to step down, hand power to son

Long-awaited announcement comes after victory in election seen as a sham

26 July 2023
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen casts a ballot at a polling station in Kandal province on July 23. He has intensified his crackdown on opposition parties. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
The Nikkei View

Cambodia's destruction of democracy is unacceptable

Hun Sen's party dominated a rigged, illegitimate election

26 July 2023
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen shakes hands with a supporter after voting at a polling station in Kandal province on July 23. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Hun Sen's Cambodia

U.S. says Cambodia vote 'neither free nor fair,' unveils sanctions

Human rights groups decry 'farce' as Chinese state media applauds Phnom Penh

24 July 2023
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen shows his finger after voting at a polling station in Kandal province on July 23. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Hun Sen's Cambodia

Cambodia's Hun Sen dominates election, threatens ballot spoilers

Ruling CPP on track to take 96% of seats in widely criticized vote

24 July 2023
A woman holds a board of Prime Minister Hun Sen during a campaign rally in Phnom Penh on July 21. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Hun Sen's Cambodia

Cambodia's one-sided election: 5 things to know

Walkover expected for Hun Sen's CPP after main opposition party banned

22 July 2023
Theary Seng, a Khmer Rouge survivor who is 12 months into a six-year prison sentence, began a hunger strike on July 17.
Hun Sen's Cambodia

Jailed U.S.-Cambodian activist starts hunger strike ahead of elections

Theary Seng languishes in prison after Cambodia turns from West to China

21 July 2023
Some 10 years after almost losing an election, Hun Sen, center, no longer tolerates competition from serious opponents as he maneuvers to transfer power to eldest son Hun Manet, left, in a reform-resistant, economically and politically fragile system.
Asia Insight

Cambodia democracy dream fades as Hun Sen eyes election walkover

Strongman to coast to July 23 victory, signaling start of handover to eldest son

18 July 2023
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen attends a campaign rally in Phnom Penh on July 1. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Your Week in Asia

China GDP, Tesla's Malaysia launch, Hun Sen's Cambodia elections

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

16 July 2023
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's Facebook account was suspended for six months following a recommendation from Meta's oversight board last week. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Hun Sen's Cambodia

Cambodia bars Meta oversight board after PM's Facebook account frozen

Retaliatory move by Hun Sen comes as country heads into July general elections

6 July 2023
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, also president of the ruling Cambodian People's Party, attends an election rally in Phnom Penh on July 1. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Comment

At long last, Cambodia's Hun Sen set to achieve his dynastic dream

Dictator silences local critics with repression, and the West with 'China card'

4 July 2023
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen had over 14 million followers on Facebook.
Hun Sen's Cambodia

Cambodian PM Hun Sen deletes Facebook page after criticism

Meta oversight board called for 6-month suspension, citing intimidation of critics

30 June 2023
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen attends an event at the Cambodian People's Party headquarters in Phnom Penh on June 28, 2022. (File photo by AP) 
Defense

Cambodia PM sends troops to Vietnam border to shoot down drones

Hun Sen warns of 'action' as deployment comes ahead of elections next month

28 June 2023
Even on weekends, the lights burn all night in Poipet, a casino hub in Cambodia facing Thailand's Aranyaprathet. Sophisticated scamming and online gambling operations run 24-7.
Society

Threats force anti-trafficking NGO director out of Cambodia

Jacob Sims spoke out about kingdom's booming slave-based scam industry

24 June 2023
Meals should be made with the freshest ingredients and enjoyed slowly, says Cambodian food evangelist Ros Rotanak. (Photo by Markus Bell)
Life

Cambodian 'food archaeologist' saves one dish at a time

Like many good foodie stories, chef's rise to fame starts with missing home

24 June 2023
A garment factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Feb. 6: The value of apparel and footwear shipments to the U.S. from Cambodia, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Vietnam fell between 20% and 30% during the first four months of 2023.
Retail

Weak U.S. demand hits Southeast Asia's garment exporters

Industry and experts foresee more economic and geopolitical headwinds this year

22 June 2023
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, right, shakes hands with Wang Wentian, the Chinese ambassador to Cambodia, at a groundbreaking ceremony on June 7. (Photo by Yuji Nitta)
International relations

Cambodia breaks ground on China-funded highway to Vietnam border

Country's second expressway one of many projects built with Chinese money

9 June 2023
Hun Manet, the eldest son of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, has never served in an elected role, only in military and party positions. (Pool via Reuters)
Opinion

The next Cambodian government will be outsized

Hun Sen has bought support for son Hun Manet with promises of positions

29 May 2023