Fuelwood Price Dispute at Drinking Party Leads to Stabbing, 11 Stitches

In Kampong Speu province, Cambodia, a dispute over fuelwood prices during a drinking session escalated into violence, leaving a 25-year-old man with a facial wound requiring 11 stitches. Police arrested a 37-year-old suspect on the 16th. The incident occurred around 9 AM on the 16th in Chamkar village, Phnom Sruoch district. The arrested suspect has been identified as Phuoc Kosal, 37, a resident of the same village. The victim, Sok Hai, 25, also from Chamkar village, sustained a serious injury to his left cheek, requiring 11 stitches. According to police, the incident began around 5 PM on the 15th at a drinking gathering at a resident's house in Chamkar village. Sok Hai was drinking with five friends when Phuoc Kosal arrived and joined them. Around 7:20 PM, an argument broke out between Sok Hai and Phuoc Kosal over the price of fuelwood. The dispute turned physical, and Phuoc Kosal allegedly grabbed a machete (panga knife) and slashed Sok Hai's left cheek. Phuoc Kosal fled the scene after the assault. Sok Hai filed a police report at 8 AM on the 16th. Police apprehended Phuoc Kosal at his residence around 9 AM the same day. The suspect confessed to the crime, stating, "I was drunk, and we argued about the fuelwood price, and I lost my temper." Police confiscated the machete as evidence and have transferred Phuoc Kosal to the Kampong Speu Provincial Police Headquarters for further legal proceedings. Source: Koh Santepheap Khmer