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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

This undated photo shows Chen Zhi (centre), who is accused of running a crime network from Cambodia, amid his extradition to China. Photo: Handout

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

9 Jan 2026 - 6:02PMvideocam

Chen Zhi

Video | Accused scam billionaire Chen Zhi extradited to China

8 Jan 2026 - 6:45PM

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

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

People stand beside a crater in front of a damaged police station following clashes between Cambodian and Thai soldiers in Banteay Meanchey province, Cambodia on Saturday. Photo: AFP

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

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

Supporters with placards back Thai PM Anutin Charnvirakul on the first day of candidate registration in Bangkok on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Thailand

From PM purge to border bombs: Thailand’s year of upheaval

As the country mourns the loss of Queen Mother Sirikit amid political chaos and a sluggish economy, Lisa’s global reign lights up Thai public.

28 Dec 2025 - 1:30PMvideocam

Rescue workers extinguishing a fire at a house after it was hit by Cambodian rocket strikes during clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops, at a village in Kantharalak district, Si Sa Ket province, Thailand, on December 14. Photo: EPA/Royal Thai Army

Malaysia

Trump’s dance, Najib’s 1MDB saga, influencer case: Malaysia leads Asean in 2025

The country hosts the region’s biggest event, sees a new twist in the 1MDB scandal and is at a critical political juncture.

27 Dec 2025 - 1:00PMvideocam

Thailand

‘Very happy’: Thailand, Cambodia sign ceasefire deal to end border clashes

Both sides agreed to freeze all troop movements and allow civilians living in border areas to return home as soon as possible.

28 Dec 2025 - 1:23AMvideocam

Trip.com

Trip.com suspends partnership with Cambodia amid border clashes, cyber concerns

In the first 10 months of 2025, Cambodia received 1 million Chinese tourists, accounting for over 20 per cent of all international visitors.

25 Dec 2025 - 7:00PM

In the Thursday statement, Trip.com also moved to quell fears regarding data security. Photo: Shutterstock Images

2025 Cambodia-Thailand conflict

Thai marines rescue starving lions, bears from Cambodian border casino

Officials say the two lions, two Asiatic black bears and one sun bear suffered from underfeeding and prolonged neglect at Thmor Dar Casino.

24 Dec 2025 - 6:20PM

Two bears found caged inside a Cambodian casino were later rescued by Thai marines. Photo: Facebook/DNP1362

Thailand

Thailand’s Anutin named PM candidate for ‘consequential’ February poll

Caretaker leader Anutin Charnvirakul named Bhumjaithai’s PM candidate, banking on nationalism and Cambodia tensions to win election.

24 Dec 2025 - 6:39PMvideocam

Year in Review

SCMP Plus Year in Review 2025: China

As the year comes to a close, SCMP Plus highlights the biggest China-related stories of the year.

23 Dec 2025 - 4:00PM

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Cambodia

.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

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

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.

From PM purge to border bombs: Thailand’s year of upheaval

As the country mourns the loss of Queen Mother Sirikit amid political chaos and a sluggish economy, Lisa’s global reign lights up Thai public.

Trump’s dance, Najib’s 1MDB saga, influencer case: Malaysia leads Asean in 2025

The country hosts the region’s biggest event, sees a new twist in the 1MDB scandal and is at a critical political juncture.

‘Very happy’: Thailand, Cambodia sign ceasefire deal to end border clashes

Both sides agreed to freeze all troop movements and allow civilians living in border areas to return home as soon as possible.

Trip.com suspends partnership with Cambodia amid border clashes, cyber concerns

In the first 10 months of 2025, Cambodia received 1 million Chinese tourists, accounting for over 20 per cent of all international visitors.

Thai marines rescue starving lions, bears from Cambodian border casino

Officials say the two lions, two Asiatic black bears and one sun bear suffered from underfeeding and prolonged neglect at Thmor Dar Casino.

Thailand’s Anutin named PM candidate for ‘consequential’ February poll

Caretaker leader Anutin Charnvirakul named Bhumjaithai’s PM candidate, banking on nationalism and Cambodia tensions to win election.

SCMP Plus Year in Review 2025: China

As the year comes to a close, SCMP Plus highlights the biggest China-related stories of the year.

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