Demonstrators Hit With Water Canons as They Attempt to Block Street

Say Mony, VOA Khmer

30 May 2013

Phnom Penh police dispersed a protest with water canons from three separate fire trucks on Wednesday, after failing to negotiate with housing rights protesters.

PHNOM PENH — Phnom Penh police dispersed a protest with water canons from three separate fire trucks on Wednesday, after failing to negotiate with housing rights protesters. At least one person was knocked unconscious and several others were injured.

Before Water Canons, a Clash With a Police Chief

Say Mony, VOA Khmer

30 May 2013

When housing activists sought to block Monivong Boulevard on Tuesday, they were met by Phnom Penh's newest police chief, Chuon Sovann. Failing to negotiate to remove the protesters from the street, Chuon Sovann ordered three water canons on those who remained. The following is supplemental footage from the incident shot by VOA Khmer's Say Mony. You'll find the full story here:

Youth Still Lack Political Engagement, Advocate Says

Say Mony, VOA Khmer

17 May 2013

It is especially important that youth get more engaged in the political process as the country heads toward national elections in July, Cheang Sokha, executive director of the Youth Resource Development Program, told “Hello VOA” on Monday.

PHNOM PENH - Cambodian youth need to be politically active and engaged if they want to see their standards of living improved in the new mandate of government, a youth advocate says. It is especially important that youth get more engaged in the political process as the country heads toward national elections in July, Cheang Sokha, executive director of the Youth Resource Development Program, told “Hello VOA” on Monday.

Worker Killed in Factory Collapse Survived By Newborn

Say Mony, VOA Khmer

17 May 2013

Nine survivors of a shoe factory collapse in Kampong Speu province remained hospitalized Friday.

In interviews with VOA Khmer, several of them recounted the event, when a storage mezzanine loaded with manufacturing equipment fell.

Survivors considered themselves lucky to be alive, after they were nearly crushed by chunks of concrete and equipment at the Wing Stars factory.

The victims rushed to Calmette Thursday were the lucky ones, they said.

Rim Saroeun was not among them. He perished in the collapse. At his home in Bati district, Takeo province, family members mourned on Friday, weeping over his coffin, where his photograph hung, as they prepared for his funeral. He was married, with a one-month-old son. VOA Khmer's Say Mony reports from Takeo province.

Chinese Hydrodam Remains a Concern, Mystery to Locals

Say Mony, VOA Khmer

10 May 2013

Workers Demand Arrest of Chhouk Bandith

Say Mony, VOA Khmer

03 May 2013

Thousands of garment factory workers, activists and union leaders marched in the streets of Phnom Penh on May Day, demanding former Bavet city governor Chhouk Bandith be arrested for allegedly shooting into a crowd of workers last year, injuring three women. Workers say the courts dropped the case against Chhouk Bandith because of his political power. VOA Khmer's Say Mony reports from Phnom Penh.

Intimate Gathering Remembers Slain Environmental Activist

Say Mony, VOA Khmer

26 Apr 2013

On a road in Koh Kong province on Friday, Buddhist clergy and family members honored the environmentalist one year after his slaying. Chut Viuhy was shot dead at this remote location at a police check point during an NGO review of a forest area. VOA Khmer's Say Mony reports from Koh Kong province.

Youth Will Determine State of Corruption, Advocate Says

Say Mony, VOA Khmer

13 April 2013

Social activists carry an anti-corruption banner during a rally in Phnom Penh, file photo.

PHNOM PENH - With a major election on the horizon, the time has come for Cambodian youths to decide whether they want to eliminate corruption in their country, a transparency advocate says. Cambodia is ranked one of the most corrupt countries in the world, at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars each year, but a great majority of the population is now under the age of 30.

Artists Want Cambodia Known for Its Work, Not Genocide

Say Mony, VOA Khmer

12 April 2013

The troupe will perform at the Abrons Arts Center in New York April 18 and April 19. Their performance, “Olden New Golden Blue,” explores the dancers’ relationship with their past.

PHNOM PENH - A group of performing artists in Cambodia say they are working to ensure that Cambodia is internationally known for more than a genocidal regime that ruled the country more than 30 years ago. That includes the ongoing performances now underway in New York for the Season of Cambodia festival—where many works and performances are on display in April and May.

As Dam Plan Goes Ahead, Villages Face Displacement

Say Mony, VOA Khmer

02 Apr 2013

Villagers living along the Sesan river in northeastern Cambodia protest the construction of the Sesan 2 dam in March 2013. The construction of the hydropower dam would force as many as 1,500 families to resettle.

PHNOM PENH — Along the lower Sesan River, villagers say they fear what a move will mean when a hydropower dam comes to Stung Treng province. Last month, hundreds of them marched along the river, protesting the construction of the dam, which would force as many as 1,500 families to resettle.