Day: March 26, 2024

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet has encouraged the Cambodian-Lao and Lao-Cambodian Friendship Associations to further promote the people-to-people contacts, especially between those living along the common border area, for mutual benefits.

The Cambodian Premier made the encouragement when he received in Vientiane on Mar. 25 a courtesy call from H.E. Khambai Damlat, President of the Lao-Cambodian Friendship Association, during his stay in Lao PDR for a two-day official visit.

At the same time, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet stressed the importance of enhancing communication between the people of the two countries, which will further contribute to the promotion of trade, tourism and other key sectors of both nations.

The Prime Minister also expressed his appreciation for the Cambodian-Lao and Lao-Cambodian Friendship Associations that have contributed to the strengthening of relations between the two neighbouring countries.

As he noted more potential of Cambodia and Laos, Samdec
h Thipadei encouraged the two Friendship Associations to do their best to facilitate greater connectivity between both countries.

For his part, H.E. Kambai Damlat congratulated the achievements of the Royal Government of Cambodia as well as the improvement of Cambodians’ living standard.

The Lao-Cambodian Friendship Association president spoke highly of the visit of Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet to Laos, expressing his conviction that this visit will contribute to further fostering the cooperation and friendship between the two countries.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

The Preah Srey Içanavarman Museum of Economy and Money (SOSORO) received a significant piece of a rare 1960’s landscape painting by celebrated Cambodian artist Nhek Dim, from family of former Australian diplomat Robert Merrillees.

The handover ceremony was held on Mar. 25 at the museum’s location in Phnom Penh, in with presence of H.E. Dr. Chea Serey, Governor of the National Bank of Cambodia, H.E Justin Whyatt, Ambassador of Australia to the Kingdom of Cambodia, and representatives of the Merrillees family.

This painting, acquired in the late 1960s by Robert Merrillees and his wife Helen during his tenure in Cambodia, showcases a rural Cambodian scene through a modernist lens, reflecting the unique artistic vision of Nhek Dim.

After having graciously undertaken restoration efforts, the Merrillees family has decided to contribute this rare work to the SOSORO Museum, ensuring its preservation and accessibility for future generations. The painting will thereby be integrated in the SOSORO Museum’s collection
.

The Co-director of the SOSORO Museum, Mr. Blaise Kilian, expressed deep appreciation for this precious gift, saying that the work of Nhek Dim is a reflection of the vibrant cultural and artistic scene that flourished in the post-independence years, before being sadly annihilated by the war and during the Khmer Rouge regime.

‘This donation is all the more meaningful as the museum has just inaugurated the revamped part of its permanent exhibition dedicated to the Independence, the Khmer Republic, and the Khmer Rouge regime, with enhanced descriptions of the socio-economic changes that occurred then,’ Mr. Blaise Kilian said.

Mrs. Dolla S. Merrillees, daughter of Robert Merrillees and representing the family, in turn highlighted the cultural and historical significance of this donation her family is thrilled to return this painting by renowned Cambodian artist Nhek Dim to the Cambodian people.

‘Given that most of his works were destroyed by the Pol Pot regime, we hope this painting will be enjoyed by genera
tions to come,’ she said.

Established by the National Bank of Cambodia, the Preah Srey Içanavarman Museum of Economy and Money (commonly known as SOSORO) is dedicated to educating the public about the economic history and the evolution of money in Cambodia, through a blend of ancient artifacts and modern technologies, in a state-of-the-art museography.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

Kratie province has officially obtained the mine-free status under Samdech Techo Project for Mine Action (STP-MA) themed ‘Providing Safe Ground, Creating Smiles’.

A ceremony to declare Kratie as a mine-free province was held in the provincial city this morning under the presidency of Samdech Kitti Sangaha Pundit Men Sam An, a Member of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the King.

In a post on his social media networks this morning, Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet extended his congratulations to this achievement, saying ‘Mar. 26, 2024 is a historic day when the people of Kratie province are freed from the threat of landmines and Kratie is the 15th province in Cambodia being declared mine-free.’

For two decades, from 2003 to 2023, over 133 square kilometres of land, equivalent to 795 minefields have been cleared, and some 60,000 mines and other explosive remnants have been found and destroyed, by three operators, including the National Centre for Peacekeeping Forces, Mines and Ex
plosive Remnants of War Clearance (NPMEC), Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC), and HALO Trust, benefitting almost 400,000 local people.

Achievement of mine-free status by Kratie province is one of the many achievements of the 7th-mandate Royal Government of Cambodia in more than six months of office, with financial support from the ‘Mine-Free Cambodia 2025’ Fund and Samdech Techo Project for Mine Action, as well as the generous contribution of friendly countries, development partners and charitable people, said the Premier, adding that during the over six months, three provinces have been declared mine-free – Kampong Speu, Mondulkiri and Kratie.

The other mine-free provinces are Kampong Speu, Mondulkiri, Stung Treng, Kep, Prey Veng, Preah Sihanouk, Thbong Khmum, Kampong Cham, Svay Rieng, Kampong Chhnang, Kandal, Takeo, and Kampot, and Phnom Penh capital.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse