Documentation Center of Cambodia

21/08/2026

In Memory of Bou Meng …

19/08/2026

MYANMAR LEADER MIN AUNG HLAING

Myanmar leader Min Aung Hlaing’s official visit to Cambodia in early September has been described as an attempt to strengthen bilateral relations, and there is no doubt that Myanmar is struggling to establish diplomatic relations with the international community given the country’s recent history.

It is important that Cambodia explores opportunities for dialogue with all ASEAN members states, including Myanmar, because the future of ASEAN depends upon the health of its member states. However, Cambodia must remain reserved in its engagement with Myanmar to avoid the appearance of endorsing the country’s recent history, which would have implications for Cambodia’s own efforts to establish itself as a leader in ASEAN and its relationships with the international community.

YOUK CHHANG
Director
Documentation Center of Cambodia
August 19, 2026

Photo: John D. Ciorciari is the Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor of Indiana University Bloomington with a farmer in Bagan. Photo by Youk Chhang.

18/08/2026

THAILAND, LAND—MINE.

Obviously the Thai military should be more careful with mines in their territory. It’s weird that the Thai make the argument that the Cambodians are laying mines on Thai territory, and the international community is receptive, when it is the same land that was occupied by Khmer Rouge soldiers and the Thai army has saturated the area with their troops, making mine placement presumably difficult, if not impossible.

For the Thai military, it’s just political theater and maneuvering—a game. For Cambodia, it’s truly an armed struggle that is destabilizing and bordering on existential. Cambodia should really take this fight as a serious challenge to modernize.

YOUK CHHANG
Director
Documentation Center of Cambodia

August 17, 2026

17/08/2026

AP News: Bou Meng, a Cambodian artist and survivor of a Khmer Rouge torture center, has died at 85
“I urge action to preserve stories of the millions who survived the Khmer Rouge and provide them with both mental and physical health support,”
-- Youk Chhang told The Associated Press in a text message.
Director
Documentation Center of Cambodia
August 15, 2026

Photo: Bou Meng with Youk Chhang at the Documentation Center of Cambodia in Phnom Penh, 2004.
Link:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/YCakvBkXLx1i4PMm7

15/08/2026

Genocide Survivor Bou Meng Dies at 85

I urge public action to preserve survivor stories of the millions who survived the Khmer Rouge and provide them with health support.

Time is running out as the ageing genocide survivor population continues to dwindle.

Youk Chhang
Director
Documentation Center of Cambodia
August 15, 2026

https://cambodianess.com/article/s-21-survivor-bou-meng-dies-at-85-as-living-witnesses-to-khmer-rouge-era-dwindle

14/08/2026

10/08/2026

DC-Cam's Publication 2026

10/08/2026

International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
Sunday, August 9, 2026

In 1973, the indigenous Bunong people (alternatively Phnong, Punong, or Pnong) of northeastern Cambodia (primarily in Mondulkiri Province) were trapped at a violent crossroads during the Cambodian Civil War.

Worldwide, there are an estimated 476.6 million Indigenous people living across 90 countries. They make up about 6.2 percent of the global population, represent 5,000 distinct cultures, and speak a large majority of the world's 7,000 languages.

YOUK CHHANG
Director
Documentation Center of Cambodia
& The Hill Tribes Memory Community Center

Photo: DC-Cam Archives

10/08/2026

Thailand Protests UN Human Rights Report

The UN Special Rapporteur’s comments illuminate an important point, which is human rights are not based upon nationality and the Thai government’s responsibility for upholding human rights extends equally as much to Cambodians as Thai citizens to the annoyance of the Thai government.

The Thai government finds this point annoying because it runs counter to the Thai military’s current occupation of Cambodian territory and their political goals of attempting to overwrite law and history through the use armed forces.

This is not the first time the Thai government has exercised this policy, and unfortunately, it is probably not the last, but if history offers any indication of how the border situation will be resolved, then Cambodia should be optimistic and patient that the situation will be rectified eventually.

YOUK CHHANG
Director
Documentation Center of Cambodia

09/08/2026

DC-Cam's Publication 2025