Trapaing Chor commune
The broken Buddha statue in the Metta forest, in a supplied photo taken on September 23, 2022.

Metta Forest’s Buddhist Statues Destroyed in Wind

The Metta forest community in Kampong Speu says three Buddha statues around the forest’s pagoda have been destroyed after wind blew down nearby trees, and residents are blaming loggers who they say are continuing to cut down the surrounding forest.

An office for CHSN Transportation in Kampong Speu's Oral district. (Danielle Keeton-Olsen)

Indigenous Families Block Land Grab in Kampong Speu

Indigenous Suoy families say they have blocked a company formerly chaired by the prime minister’s nephew Hun Chea from clearing their farmland in Kampong Speu, and are seeking compensation.