Koh Kong Provincial Court Prosecutes Two for Illegally Transporting Thai Goods

In Cambodia's southwestern Koh Kong province, two individuals have been prosecuted for their involvement in the illicit transport of goods from Thailand. The Koh Kong Provincial Court Prosecutor’s Office announced on September 18, 2026, that the charges were filed against Mr. Puth Pirak, 43, the owner of the goods imported from Thailand, and Mr. Yun Chantho, 37, the owner of the vehicle. According to the prosecutor's office, the charges filed are twofold: first, the crime of misrepresenting the origin of goods, under Article 31 of the Law on Rules of Origin for Goods; and second, the crime of importing goods without permission, under Article 75 of the same law. The incident occurred around 11 PM on September 14, 2026, when authorities in Mondul Seima district apprehended two individuals for secretly transporting goods from Thailand. They were caught along National Road 48, near the Koh Kong Bridge, in Neang Kok village, Pak Khlong commune, and were in the process of transporting Thai-made consumer products, including cooking oil, oyster sauce, fish sauce, instant noodles, and coloring agents, intended for Sihanoukville province. Residents in Koh Kong province are urging relevant authorities to continue cracking down on individuals who secretly transport goods from Thailand and to impose severe penalties according to the law. Citizens have expressed their frustration and rejection of the use of such smuggled products, which they believe unfairly compete with Cambodian products.