The UN has a comprehensive set of mediation mechanisms to intervene peacefully between Cambodia and Thailand, based on the United Nations Charter (Chapters VI and VII), in order to prevent the escalation of the 2025 border conflict around Preah Vihear and other disputed areas.

With over twenty years of experience in tourism and gastronomy development, Arnaud Darc has been observing from Phnom Penh the evolution of a sector vital to the national economy. In his analysis of 2025, he makes a clear assessment: Cambodian tourism hasn’t undergone a collapse, but a brutal exposure of its structural fragilities.

Into the Light: The Retrieved Paintings of Phnom Penh’s Silver Pagoda — the exhibition at the Preah Srey Içanavarman Museum of the Economy and Money (SOSORO) of the National Bank of Cambodia — is shining with remarkable success.

Christmas originated as a Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, believed to be the Son of God and Savior in Christian faith. The date of December 25 was chosen to coincide with Roman pagan winter solstice festivals, allowing early Christians to integrate their celebration with existing cultural practices.

Over the past few weeks, international news coverage has raised many questions from travelers, partners, and tourism professionals. One question comes up repeatedly: “Is Siem Reap a safe destination?”

Thai forces intensified their military operations on Monday, December 22, by penetrating deep into Cambodian territory with F-16 fighter jets, bombing civilian sectors in the provinces of Siem Reap, Preah Vihear, and Banteay Meanchey.

To answer a question posed by a reader, here are a few clarifications about the possibility and unlikelihood of seeing UN peacekeepers (Blue Helmets) in Cambodia. As a reminder, the border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand, revived in 2025, pits the two neighbors in a deadly escalation marked by artillery fire, air strikes, and thousands of displaced people

Le Bistrot de l’Institut invites guests to celebrate Christmas with a full festive menu in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. From Monday 22 December, the bistro becomes the ideal place to enjoy French holiday flavours in a friendly, green setting, perfect for sharing a special moment with family, colleagues or friends.

For this festive season, Topaz is turning up the warmth and sparkle with a programme that puts live jazz back at the heart of Phnom Penh’s dining scene. Drawing on some of the city’s most respected performers, the restaurant is curating evenings where refined French cuisine meets soulful, improvisation‑rich music.

In Phnom Penh, Topaz Restaurant unveils its Festive Tasting Menu, a seven-course culinary odyssey blending French elegance with Cambodia’s terroir treasures. Priced at 140 USD per person, this refined holiday journey fuses timeless classics with exceptional local produce.

As the holiday season approaches, Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort invites guests to indulge in a curated collection of refined festive dining experiences, thoughtfully paired with exceptional live entertainment.

Communities of the Cambodian diaspora from Paris to Montréal, Sydney, Long Beach and Seoul have mobilized with unprecedented fervor in response to the escalating military actions by Thailand against Cambodia.

 Yi Sarun, a towering figure in Cambodian tennis whose name became synonymous with the sport’s resilience and revival, has died at the age of 81 after a long illness on December 19, 2025. Born in 1945 into a humble family, Sarun rose to become one of Cambodia’s greatest tennis players, survived the brutal Khmer Rouge era, and later dedicated his life to passing on his passion to younger generations.

China has dispatched a special envoy to Phnom Penh in a bid to help de-escalate mounting tensions between Cambodia and Thailand, where recent border clashes have alarmed the region. His Excellency Deng Xijun, Special Envoy for Asian Affairs from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, arrived in Cambodia on December 19 to undertake sensitive diplomatic talks aimed at restoring peace and reviving political dialogue between the two Southeast Asian neighbors.

The border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand remains volatile, more than two weeks after hostilities renewed, with sporadic clashes continuing despite repeated calls for de-escalation. Both governments accuse each other of violating previous cease-fires, while the international community struggles to secure a lasting peace.

In mid-November 2025, in Singapore, Confluences made its mark at Bpifrance’s very first Asia Forum, titled Inspire & Connect Asia. This pivotal event brought together key stakeholders to explore the new economic dynamics between France and Asia, highlighting a strategic momentum toward more ambitious and sustainable partnerships.

Battambang, Cambodia — In 1999, a nine-year-old girl from a humble background electrified the nation by claiming to be the reincarnation of Princess Sisanmoni, who disappeared in 1975 under the Khmer Rouge. She went further, asserting, “I know the name of my killer,” igniting a supernatural manhunt that blurs history and myth.

On Thursday afternoon, a vast human tide dressed in the colors of peace swept through the main arteries of Phnom Penh. Tens of thousands of people from all walks of life — students, civil servants, monks, artists, workers and representatives of civil society organizations — took part in the march titled “March for Peace: Together for Peace,” organized by the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia (UYFC).

As of December 17, 2025, solidarity with Cambodian refugees displaced by the border conflict with Thailand has moved well beyond symbolic gestures. It has taken the form of a full-scale humanitarian offensive. More than 400,000 people have been evacuated as fighting enters its second week, and needs are soaring—shelter, clean water, food supplies, and psychosocial support are all under acute strain.

Somroh Aloe is emerging as a promising family-led business in the organic cultivation and marketing of aloe vera in Cambodia. Founded by French entrepreneur Nicolas Legroux and his Cambodian partner Lyda, the venture is based in Akrey Ksat, Kandal Province, near Phnom Penh, and targets urban consumers seeking fresh, natural products.

Raphaël Seyfried, an Alsatian artist who has lived in Cambodia for a decade, has turned his lifelong passion for drawing into a unique creative journey: the Travel Rolls. Inspired by ancient scrolls, these illustrated rolls vividly capture the spirit of Cambodia, portraying everything from Apsara dancers and Angkor’s temples to the colors and movement of Khmer street food.

Since arriving in Cambodia two years ago, French artist Cécile, also known as Celie’s Blue Garden, has been capturing the energy, culture and spirit of the Kingdom through her vibrant watercolor works. Her art — a blend of traditional watercolor techniques with delicate pointillism in Chinese ink — brings to life the country’s streets, dances and ancient legends with striking emotion and color.

At the heart of Kampot’s bustling creative scene, a new artisanal hub is making waves. Craft Baitang & Friends, founded by Noémie and Catherine, is quickly becoming a focal point for local craftsmanship, transforming natural materials like wood and shells into jewelry, games, and decorative pieces that radiate authentic Cambodian spirit.

Met at the CULT market, discover Alban, a perfumer from Grasse who has been based in Cambodia for 12 years, creating custom fragrances for hotels, casinos, and boutiques. From ambient diffusers to 20% concentrated cosmetics, his unique scents—sweet, fruity—captivate the senses, with a shop and shower gels on the way. Ideal for unforgettable Christmas gifts!