Activist Monk Released, Vows To Continue Activism

Say Mony, VOA Khmer
Saturday, 26 May 2012 

Loun Savath said Thursday he is following the teachings of Buddha by defending  human rights and he vowed to continue his activism.

Loun Savath, a monk and rights activist who was detained by plain clothes security officials Thursday, was released that night, after he agreed to sign a letter vowing to stop leading and participating in protests. However, he has promised he will not halt his activism. Loun Savath was seized while observing a protest by villagers of the Boeung Kak lake development project. He has become a common figure at land protests, vexing Cambodia’s Buddhist leadership.

More Youth Involved in Environmental Protection: Activist

Say Mony, VOA Khmer
Friday, 18 May 2012 

A villager is seen here tying timber to his motorcycle for trading with the logging  company as two UN investigator are looking around in the compound of  the logging company, April 27, 2012.

Forestry advocates see more youth engaging in environmental protection, especially in forest communities where illegal logging is rampant. “Previously, only elder people from the ages of 30, 40 or 50 up stood up to protect their forests, but recently more younger people have been participating in the anti-illegal logging movement,” Chhim Savuth, a community empowerment officer of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, told “Hello VOA” on Monday.

For Cambodia, No Olympic Marathoner in the Running

Say Mony, VOA Khmer
Saturday, 11 May 2012 

Japanese entertainer Neko Hiroshi, left, poses with Cambodian winner Em Buntin  after a half marathon Saturday, June 18, 2011 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The  Japanese finished second. More than 1,000 Cambodians and foreigners took part  in the running, celebra

Controversy is looming in Cambodia over the government's choice of Olympic marathoner, a Japanese-born comedian with Cambodian citizenship. The International Association of Athletics Federation said this week that the comedian, Takizaki Kuniaki, would not be considered eligible because he has not been a Cambodian citizen long enough. But Cambodia’s fastest marathoner, Hem Bunting, is not being considered either.

Family, Activists Vow To Continue Work of Slain Conservationist

Say Mony, VOA Khmer
Wednesday, 02 May 2012

Family members and supporters of Chut Wutty, the conservationist who was shot dead in a remote region of Koh Kong province last week, say they will continue his work and seek to protect what remains of Cambodia's dwindling forests. The shooting, which also saw the death of a military police officer, has underscored the dangerous work of activists in the arena of illegal logging and deforestation.

Promise of Riches Lures Many to ‘Forest of Gold’

Say Mony, VOA Khmer
Tuesday, 01 May 2012

In their search, however, the miners expose themselves to the risks of dust,  mercury and other chemicals used to purify gold.

Poor villagers are increasingly looking for gold in a remote province of Cambodia following the recent skyrocketing price of the precious metal. But in their rush to find this buried fortune, they are at great risk of dangerous chemical exposure and malaria. Phon Pheak and a few of his family members came to dig for gold here in Phnom Pang mountain in the village Prey Meas, or Forest of Gold, some 90 kilometers from Ratanakkir province’s Banlung city, with the international price of gold continuing its ascent.