The evolution of governance in Cambodia since 2017 reflects one of the deepest strategic shifts in its modern history: a departure from the path of liberal multi-party democracy enshrined in the 1991 Paris Peace Accords and the 1993 Constitution, toward a monoparty system centered on “securitism” and the stability of power. The most critical political turning point was the Supreme Court decision on November 16, 2017, to dissolve the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP)—the only major opposition force capable of competing with the ruling party. This event was not merely the end of opposition presence in state institutions; it signaled the closure of the system of checks and balances within the entire state structure. When the National Assembly consists solely of representatives from a single party (as seen in the 2018 election results where the ruling party won all 125 seats), the functions of legislative oversight and social debate are severely weakened, allowing the executive branch absolute influence over the judiciary and other independent institutions.
Parallel to the shrinking political space, the government has moved to strictly restrict civil society voices and independent media. Non-governmental organizations working on human rights and social justice have become targets of surveillance and the enforcement of the Law on Associations and Non-Governmental Organizations (LANGO) to obstruct grassroots activities. The loss of a free press, which once reported on irregularities and corruption, has plunged Cambodia into a state of systemic lack of transparency and accountability. In a context without oversight, impunity has become a deep-rooted social issue, where powerful individuals and those close to the ruling party can use their influence to violate the law without fear. This judicial inaction is most evident through the rise in land disputes, deforestation, and the plundering of natural resources under the guise of “development,” but often for the benefit of nepotistic circles. According to data from Global Forest Watch, Cambodia lost more than 2.7 million hectares of forest cover between 2001 and 2023, equivalent to approximately 30% of its total forest area. Large-scale illegal logging occurs even in protected areas, while dozens of environmental and land activists have been arrested and charged with “incitement” simply for attempting to protect the public interest.
This weakened governance has paved the way for serious social issues to escalate to the level of international scandal. The rise of drug problems, illegal gambling, and especially the “online scam industry” has transformed Cambodia into a hub for transnational crime. The 2023 report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) highlighted the anarchic growth of scam centers and illegal detention within Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and border towns. Sihanoukville, Bavet, and Poipet serve as clear examples where high-rise buildings and certain SEZs have turned into shelters for transnational crime, forced labor, and human trafficking. Cambodia’s placement on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) “Grey List” twice (most recently between 2019-2023) underscores the weakness of anti-money laundering laws, allowing illicit cash flows to pour into the real estate and casino sectors without proper oversight. Notably, the government’s reaction to these issues has often seemed slow or indifferent, despite countless appeals and evidence provided by citizens, activists, and international organizations. This indifference stems from a perception that the citizenry is in a weakened state without effective means of protest in the current political climate. Furthermore, it is believed that some high-ranking officials may be involved in or benefit from these illicit businesses, blurring the will for a true crackdown.
A key factor allowing the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) government to maintain a hardline stance without fear of Western pressure is its near-total reliance on trade and investment flows from China. According to reports from the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), China has become the largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), covering nearly half of the annual total, providing grants, loans, and large-scale investment without human rights or democratic conditions. Capital flows from China into construction, infrastructure, and casinos have helped the government sustain the national economy and military spending to maintain internal power. However, this dependency is reaching a new turning point due to the intensifying trade war between the US and China. As China’s domestic economy slows, outbound investment flows drop accordingly, affecting a Cambodian economy that has traditionally relied on Chinese capital to produce and export to Western markets. Increased US import duties on goods transiting through Cambodia have further complicated this economic strategy.
Tensions reached a peak when neighboring countries, particularly Thailand, began crackdowns on transnational crime along the Cambodian-Thai border for national security reasons. Pressure from Thailand, combined with widespread international media coverage of “modern slavery” in Cambodian scam centers, has forced the CPP government’s hand. To mitigate international pressure and avoid losing face in regional politics, the government has begun implementing crackdowns and arresting some individuals involved in these dirty businesses. However, these actions are widely viewed as “political theater” intended to appease external anger.
The reality remains that if these crackdowns were born from a genuine will to solve citizens’ problems or an internal commitment to reform, they would have been implemented years ago. Issues of drugs, gambling, and scams are not new; citizens, civil society, and opposition parties have protested and petitioned for intervention numerous times, only to be ignored. This inactivity proves that in the current governance system, the balance of power is not based on the interests of the people, but on the calculation of political and economic interests with external powers. As long as internal accountability remains weak and the government continues to value international pressure over the voice of the electorate, social stability and justice in Cambodia will remain fragile and fraught with the risks of systemic crime.
In summary, the governance situation in Cambodia after 2017 has been defined by the consolidation of absolute power, leading to a decline in public accountability and transparency. The elimination of opposition voices and restrictions on civil society have created a “cycle of impunity” that allows systemic crime and the exploitation of natural resources to spread. Turning toward a unilateral economic anchor in China has insulated the government from human rights criticism but has also brought new security risks—such as online crime—that damage the national reputation and long-term social stability. Recent crackdowns are geopolitical compulsions rather than genuine governance reforms.
To restore governance and ensure sustainable development, the Cambodian government should consider reopening political and social spaces. This includes allowing the presence of an opposition party and critical voices from civil society and independent media to create oversight mechanisms that provide the government with the feedback necessary to solve systemic issues effectively. Simultaneously, strengthening the impartial rule of law is essential to eliminating impunity; individuals involved in corruption, deforestation, and online crime must face legal consequences regardless of their high-ranking roles or strong political backing. Alongside internal reforms, the government should promote economic and investment diversification to reduce over-reliance on a single source of capital, pivoting toward transparent investments that respect human rights norms to attract high-quality investors from the West and other regions. Furthermore, sub-national accountability must be established by empowering and providing safety mechanisms for citizens to report or protest abuses by local authorities. Finally, the government must demonstrate a true commitment to fighting transnational crime by collaborating closely with the international community and specialized organizations to eliminate online scam centers across the country and strengthen the effective implementation of anti-money laundering laws to gain international trust.
