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!

The humanitarian crisis is intensifying in Cambodia as more than 425,000 people have been forced to abandon their homes due to the military offensive launched by Thailand ten days ago. According to the Minister of Information, H.E. Neth Pheaktra, the situation continues to deteriorate in several border provinces, where attacks against civilian populations are increasing.

Following the recent escalation of Thai–Cambodian tensions in December, EuroCham Cambodia is closely monitoring the security situation along the Thai–Cambodian border as well as maritime developments in the Gulf of Thailand. While we acknowledge serious concerns raised by international partners regarding potential disruptions to trade corridors, our priority is to provide an operational assessment for our members and the wider business community.

The celebrated French electro-brass ensemble FÜLÜ is arriving in Phnom Penh this January for an electrifying performance that promises to be one of the highlights of the city's cultural calendar. Taking the stage at Chew & Bash — the vibrant music venue in the Coconut Park building on Koh Pich Island — FÜLÜ will bring their distinctive musical style to Cambodia on Saturday, 10 January 2026, starting at 7:00 PM.

On November 28, 2025, Cambodia marked a major milestone in the development of French language education with the official inauguration of the National Center for French Learning. The ceremony celebrated not only a new educational institution but also the deepening of cultural, linguistic, and educational ties between Cambodia and the Francophone world.

While the border crisis drags on, Thailand is relying on an unexpected outsider: Israel. With advanced drones, high-tech howitzers, and anti-drone defenses, Tel Aviv is becoming a driving force in Thailand’s military modernization, creating a strategic partnership that challenges the influence of major defense powers.

The ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) and the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Cambodia (MEF) are launching an unprecedented technical assistance project in 2026 to boost the mobilization of Cambodia’s domestic revenue. This initiative is the first pilot of the SPIRIT framework (Structural Policy Improvement and Review Instrument with Technical Assistance) and marks a major milestone in ASEAN+3 regional cooperation.

In the Cambodian lands of laterite and rice fields, an expatriate, rooted here for ten years, watches with alarm the peril of a border conflict with Thailand. In Kampot, rocked by the river and green pepper, the sound of weapons shakes the harmony of a region united by culture and history.

The Cambodian Embassy in France, through His Excellency Mr. David Luy, has issued a warning for European travelers heading to Cambodia. Several recent accounts have reported concerning incidents at Bangkok International Airport (Thailand), particularly during transit by European nationals.

Ten iconic hotels in Cambodia, from ultra-luxury to timeless excellence, have joined forces to launch Sacred Lotus Evening, a 3 h 30 immersive experience that redefines the standards of high-end tourism.

Pierre-Yves Clais is above all a man of the field, deeply connected to Cambodia for more than three decades. A former blue helmet who arrived in a country scarred by war, he saw the nation reborn and threw himself body and soul into its reconstruction. His attachment to the Khmer land today goes far beyond that of a simple foreign observer: he has become a witness, an actor, and a defender of its living history.

The Thai Air Force’s F-16 fighters come exclusively from the United States and have for decades formed the backbone of the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF). These versatile aircraft, acquired in batches since 1988, embody a strategic alliance born during the Cold War and still alive today.