Nearly half a million Cambodians have already made their way back to their villages, yet more than 159,000 people remain in limbo—caught between the fear of past fighting and the uncertainty of a lasting return along the border with Thailand.

The year 2026 is shaping up to be a historic milestone for the Kingdom of Cambodia, which will host the 20th Francophonie Summit for the first time, in Siem Reap in mid-November, thereby affirming its growing role within the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF).

Parady La, a 46-year-old Cambodian refugee who arrived in the United States as a child, died on January 9, 2026, at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, after just three days in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

On the international stage of auteur cinema, Cambodia is shining once more. Two short films carried by a new generation of Khmer filmmakers have just been selected for two of the world’s most prestigious festivals: Shadows by Prum Sreileak, which will have its world premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR 2026), and Incident on the Mountain, soon to compete at the Berlinale 2026.

For the past several days, the restaurant Kravanh has been hosting eight paintings by Cambodian artist Nou Sary. Initiated last November, this collaboration between The Gallerist, Kravanh, and the artist seeks to create an authentic fusion of color, form, roots, and flavor.

In the jungles and rice fields of Southeast Asia, the Second World War was far more than a distant echo of battles in Europe or the Pacific. Between 1940 and 1945, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam were swept into a geopolitical maelstrom in which opportunistic alliances, brutal occupations, and fragile resistance movements redrew borders and national destinies.

In Cambodia, social media pulses like a vital artery: 14 million active users by the end of 2025, representing 77.9% of the population of 17.9 million, in a country where mobile usage dominates with 121% connectivity.

In the silty waters of Cambodia’s Mekong River, a technological revolution is set to unfold in 2026: drones and automated cameras are poised to transform the monitoring of Irrawaddy dolphins—national treasures teetering on the brink of extinction.

The aroma of warm bread and freshly ground coffee has now found a home at GO Artisan Bakery & Café, recently opened within BVM Petroleum BK. More than just a place to eat, this new establishment presents itself as a true ode to gourmet craftsmanship—a space where every bite celebrates the baker’s know-how and the friendly spirit of a neighborhood café.