Cambodia: Man Arrested for Farm Produce Theft After Allegedly Mistaking Lotus for Water Spinach

A man suspected of frequently stealing farm produce has been arrested in Arey Ksatr city, Kampot province, central Cambodia. Two lotus flower farmers who had been suffering losses for a long time kept watch and discovered the suspect entering their farm by boat and stealing lotus flowers, leading them to report to the police. The incident occurred around 8:40 AM on September 16, 2026, in a lotus flower field in Prek Ampil village, Arey Ksatr city. The victims, Chreng Luot, 45, and Buon Sopheap, 62, had repeatedly lost water pumps, diesel fuel, fertilizer, batteries, and lotus flowers, but had not been able to witness the act of theft until now. As the losses continued, the two decided to keep a watchful eye on their farm. As a result, on the day of the incident, they witnessed the suspect entering the farm by a boat equipped with an engine and picking lotus flowers. When the farm owners approached, the suspect attempted to flee by boat, but police, alerted by the victims, intervened and made the arrest. Police confiscated some of the stolen lotus flowers and one boat with an engine. The arrested suspect, Khon Saroeun, 42, initially claimed he was navigating his boat into a nearby pond with the intention of picking water spinach. However, he explained that seeing the flooded lotus flower field and believing there was no owner present, he decided to pick the flowers. He admitted to attempting to flee upon noticing the farm owners' approach but was apprehended by the police. The suspect has been transferred to the Arey Ksatr City Police Inspectorate for further legal proceedings. Source: CEN Cambodia