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Cambodia

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Cambodia. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Phnom Penh

Head of State

King Norodom Sihamoni

Head of Government

Prime Minister Hun Manet

A building known as Jinbei 4 was part of a suspected compound built and operated by internationally sanctioned accused scam boss Chen Zhi’s Prince Group, in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. Photo: AFP

China-Asean relations

China keeps pressure on Cambodia to target cross-border fraud and trafficking

The transnational crimes are a serious barrier to deeper cooperation, Beijing’s envoy says.

17 Jan 2026 - 5:00PMvideocam

Thailand

Ruling Thai party vows to end Cambodia conflict, close scam hubs if it wins poll

17 Jan 2026 - 3:30PMvideocam

Asean

Visa suspension tests US priorities in Southeast Asia

17 Jan 2026 - 2:00PMvideocam

2025 Cambodia-Thailand conflict

Token gesture? Why US is spending US$45 million on Thai-Cambodian border war

Washington is looking to reposition itself as the main peacemaker in Southeast Asia following Beijing’s mediation successes, analysts say.

15 Jan 2026 - 6:26PMvideocam

Cambodian soldiers repatriated from Thailand receive roses following their release on December 31, 2025. Photo: Reuters

Laos

‘Not the end’: Cambodia keeps up scam crackdown after Chen Zhi sent to China

Phnom Penh signals zero tolerance for scam centres following the deportation of the Prince Group tycoon.

14 Jan 2026 - 7:38PMvideocam

US immigration

At least 4 migrants have died in US ICE custody since start of 2026

Reported deaths occurred in the first 10 days of the year; two of them attributed to ‘heart-related issues’.

14 Jan 2026 - 2:05PM

Thailand

Suspected scam boss linked to South Korean student’s death arrested in Thailand

The arrest follows international outrage over the killing of the university student, which led to a joint Thai–South Korean investigation.

13 Jan 2026 - 8:05PMvideocam

South Korean police escort detainees at Techo International Airport in Phnom Penh on October 18, 2025, after a joint Cambodian–South Korean operation targeting scam networks linked to the trafficking of foreign nationals. Photo: EPA

Scams and swindles

Editorial | Regional cooperation led to arrest of alleged scam kingpin Chen Zhi

The cross-border nature of his alleged criminal network required governments and law enforcement agencies to work together.

10 Jan 2026 - 6:45AM

2025 Cambodia-Thailand conflict

US pledges millions to bolster Thailand, Cambodia truce amid Trump peace claims

Trump has listed the conflict as one of a number of wars he claims to have solved as he loudly insists he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize.

9 Jan 2026 - 6:02PMvideocam

Chen Zhi

Video | Accused scam billionaire Chen Zhi extradited to China

The founder of the Cambodia-based Prince Group was charged by the US with wire fraud and money laundering in October.

8 Jan 2026 - 6:45PM

01:57

Chen Zhi

Cambodia dissolves accused scam tycoon Chen Zhi’s Prince Bank

The central bank said the lender has been ‘suspended from providing new banking services, including accepting deposits and providing credit’.

8 Jan 2026 - 1:55PM

A Prince Bank branch in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Photo: AFP

Cryptocurrency

China accuses extradited billionaire Chen of running crime network from Cambodia

Beijing says mainland police will put core members of his crime ring on a wanted list and fugitives should ‘turn themselves in’.

8 Jan 2026 - 7:13PMvideocam

Asean

Why investors continue betting on Southeast Asia amid global tensions

The region’s young labour force, rapid urbanisation and emergence as a tech hotspot have made it attractive to investors, analysts say.

8 Jan 2026 - 5:14PMvideocam

US-Venezuela conflict

The Maduro effect: US raid accelerates Asia’s drift away from Washington

Cambodia, Laos and North Korea are expected to tighten their embrace of Moscow and Beijing amid growing distrust of the US.

7 Jan 2026 - 7:16PMvideocam

Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro is led into custody by US Drug Enforcement Administration officers at an airbase in New York on Saturday. Photo: Handout/Reuters

Thailand

Border truce tested as Thailand says soldier wounded in Cambodia strike

Thai PM Anutin said Bangkok had the ‘capability to respond’ to Phnom Penh as provincial governors were ordered to ‘make preparations’.

6 Jan 2026 - 2:08PMvideocam

Cambodian Buddhist monks and other participants attend a prayer for peace at Win-Win memorial in Phnom Penh on December 29. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong police

Police to deepen Asean ties as Hong Kong set to host first top Interpol meeting

Police chief Joe Chow says Hong Kong’s high standing will help foster ties as city looks to host 196 member country representatives in November.

5 Jan 2026 - 8:30AM

The Philippines

‘Not very high’ bar: Philippines inherits Thailand-Cambodia border crisis

Given Asean’s policy of non-interference, the Philippines may be better off leaving peace negotiations to the US and China, experts say.

5 Jan 2026 - 5:20PMvideocam

Crime in Hong Kong

Chen Zhi’s Hong Kong firms rocked by resignations and frozen assets

Police freeze HK$2.75 billion in assets tied to tycoon amid probes into alleged telecoms fraud, money laundering and ‘pig butchering’ scams.

4 Jan 2026 - 11:18PM

A commercial tower in Tsim Sha Tsui owned by Cheer Capital, an entity placed on a US sanctions list over tycoon Chen Zhi’s alleged criminal activities. Photo: Dickson Lee.

Thailand

Cambodia accuses Thailand of ‘annexing’ border village despite ceasefire

The Thai army said it had taken control of areas it claims always belonged to Thailand but were ‘occupied’ by Cambodia.

3 Jan 2026 - 5:03PMvideocam

IPO

Biren surges, China military drills, CES technology show

This week: Biren Technology jumps on Hong Kong debut, PLA holds drills off Taiwan and factory activity returns to expansion. Next week: Chinese tech firms at CES, December CPI release, HSBC-Hang Seng Bank buyout vote, and more.

2 Jan 2026 - 5:00PM

Open Questions series

Open Questions | Amid US-China trade war truce, ex-diplomat preaches realism

Daniel Kritenbrink, once the top US diplomat for East Asia, doesn’t see a wider thaw in relations despite upcoming meetings between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.

2 Jan 2026 - 10:00AMvideocam

2025 Cambodia-Thailand conflict

Thailand releases 18 Cambodian soldiers held since July

The neighbouring nations agreed a truce on Saturday, ending renewed clashes that spread to nearly every border province on both sides.

31 Dec 2025 - 5:39PMvideocam

A Cambodian soldier, captured by Thai soldiers in July, waves from a bus after being released on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Diplomacy

Editorial | China provides substance to Cambodia-Thailand peace efforts

The road to peace will not be easy but both China and Southeast Asia have a deep stake in restoring regional peace and stability.

31 Dec 2025 - 6:45AM

Asia travel

Travel stories from 2025 that will fuel your wanderlust for the year ahead

We recall 7 travel stories from the past year to inspire you in 2026, covering China food trips to a Hongkonger’s life-changing adventure.

30 Dec 2025 - 12:15PM

SCMP Highlights

PLA’s Taiwan drills, China powers up record ‘air battery’: SCMP daily highlights

From the yuan rate set to a 15-month high to Cambodia and Thailand’s meeting with China, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

29 Dec 2025 - 9:15PM

In the Gobi Desert outside Golmud, Qinghai, a facility is using compressed air to store energy. Photo: Handout

China-Asean relations

Cambodia and Thailand agree to resume exchanges after meeting with China

Ceasefire deal was ‘hard won and must not be allowed to stall’, top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi says.

29 Dec 2025 - 8:21PMvideocam

On December 29, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi (centre) met Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn (left), who is also the country’s foreign minister, and Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow in Yunnan province. Photo: Agence Kampuchea Presse/AFP

Asean

Video | China hosts truce talks with Thailand and Cambodia

China said it will help the Asean monitor the ceasefire agreement between the two feuding nations.

29 Dec 2025 - 3:59PM

Thailand

Who is running for Thai PM? Unofficial campaign starts as parties name candidates

PM Anutin seeks re-election in a three-way race against People’s Party and Thaksin’s Pheu Thai amid constitutional referendum in February poll.

28 Dec 2025 - 7:41PM

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Cambodia

China keeps pressure on Cambodia to target cross-border fraud and trafficking

The transnational crimes are a serious barrier to deeper cooperation, Beijing’s envoy says.

Ruling Thai party vows to end Cambodia conflict, close scam hubs if it wins poll

Visa suspension tests US priorities in Southeast Asia

Token gesture? Why US is spending US$45 million on Thai-Cambodian border war

Washington is looking to reposition itself as the main peacemaker in Southeast Asia following Beijing’s mediation successes, analysts say.

‘Not the end’: Cambodia keeps up scam crackdown after Chen Zhi sent to China

Phnom Penh signals zero tolerance for scam centres following the deportation of the Prince Group tycoon.

At least 4 migrants have died in US ICE custody since start of 2026

Reported deaths occurred in the first 10 days of the year; two of them attributed to ‘heart-related issues’.

Suspected scam boss linked to South Korean student’s death arrested in Thailand

The arrest follows international outrage over the killing of the university student, which led to a joint Thai–South Korean investigation.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Editorial | Regional cooperation led to arrest of alleged scam kingpin Chen Zhi

The cross-border nature of his alleged criminal network required governments and law enforcement agencies to work together.

US pledges millions to bolster Thailand, Cambodia truce amid Trump peace claims

Trump has listed the conflict as one of a number of wars he claims to have solved as he loudly insists he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize.

.css-rcruog{color:#C79A00;}Video | Accused scam billionaire Chen Zhi extradited to China

The founder of the Cambodia-based Prince Group was charged by the US with wire fraud and money laundering in October.

Cambodia dissolves accused scam tycoon Chen Zhi’s Prince Bank

The central bank said the lender has been ‘suspended from providing new banking services, including accepting deposits and providing credit’.

China accuses extradited billionaire Chen of running crime network from Cambodia

Beijing says mainland police will put core members of his crime ring on a wanted list and fugitives should ‘turn themselves in’.

Why investors continue betting on Southeast Asia amid global tensions

The region’s young labour force, rapid urbanisation and emergence as a tech hotspot have made it attractive to investors, analysts say.

The Maduro effect: US raid accelerates Asia’s drift away from Washington

Cambodia, Laos and North Korea are expected to tighten their embrace of Moscow and Beijing amid growing distrust of the US.

Border truce tested as Thailand says soldier wounded in Cambodia strike

Thai PM Anutin said Bangkok had the ‘capability to respond’ to Phnom Penh as provincial governors were ordered to ‘make preparations’.

Police to deepen Asean ties as Hong Kong set to host first top Interpol meeting

Police chief Joe Chow says Hong Kong’s high standing will help foster ties as city looks to host 196 member country representatives in November.

‘Not very high’ bar: Philippines inherits Thailand-Cambodia border crisis

Given Asean’s policy of non-interference, the Philippines may be better off leaving peace negotiations to the US and China, experts say.

Chen Zhi’s Hong Kong firms rocked by resignations and frozen assets

Police freeze HK$2.75 billion in assets tied to tycoon amid probes into alleged telecoms fraud, money laundering and ‘pig butchering’ scams.

Cambodia accuses Thailand of ‘annexing’ border village despite ceasefire

The Thai army said it had taken control of areas it claims always belonged to Thailand but were ‘occupied’ by Cambodia.

Biren surges, China military drills, CES technology show

This week: Biren Technology jumps on Hong Kong debut, PLA holds drills off Taiwan and factory activity returns to expansion. Next week: Chinese tech firms at CES, December CPI release, HSBC-Hang Seng Bank buyout vote, and more.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Open Questions | Amid US-China trade war truce, ex-diplomat preaches realism

Daniel Kritenbrink, once the top US diplomat for East Asia, doesn’t see a wider thaw in relations despite upcoming meetings between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.

Thailand releases 18 Cambodian soldiers held since July

The neighbouring nations agreed a truce on Saturday, ending renewed clashes that spread to nearly every border province on both sides.

Editorial | China provides substance to Cambodia-Thailand peace efforts

The road to peace will not be easy but both China and Southeast Asia have a deep stake in restoring regional peace and stability.

Travel stories from 2025 that will fuel your wanderlust for the year ahead

We recall 7 travel stories from the past year to inspire you in 2026, covering China food trips to a Hongkonger’s life-changing adventure.

PLA’s Taiwan drills, China powers up record ‘air battery’: SCMP daily highlights

From the yuan rate set to a 15-month high to Cambodia and Thailand’s meeting with China, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

Cambodia and Thailand agree to resume exchanges after meeting with China

Ceasefire deal was ‘hard won and must not be allowed to stall’, top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi says.

Video | China hosts truce talks with Thailand and Cambodia

China said it will help the Asean monitor the ceasefire agreement between the two feuding nations.

Who is running for Thai PM? Unofficial campaign starts as parties name candidates

PM Anutin seeks re-election in a three-way race against People’s Party and Thaksin’s Pheu Thai amid constitutional referendum in February poll.

Editorial | Regional cooperation led to arrest of alleged scam kingpin Chen Zhi

Video | Accused scam billionaire Chen Zhi extradited to China

Open Questions | Amid US-China trade war truce, ex-diplomat preaches realism