Phnom Penh governor Khuong Sreng greets soldiers along the border in Preah Vihear province, where he handed out donations to the armed force on September 30 last year. City Hall
As the Khmer New Year approaches, the Phnom Penh Municipal Administration has called for donations of money, food or other items to support the army and the families of the soldiers who are defending the Kingdom’s territorial integrity on the borders.
The request was made in a March 11 notice. The municipal administration recalled its solemn friendship with the armed forces, and announced that during the New Year holiday period, the municipal board of governors will lead a delegation from Phnom Penh City Hall to visit the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) members who are standing guard over the Kingdom.
Among the units that will receive visits from the delegation are Intervention Brigade 3, Intervention Brigade 9 and Border Protection Brigade 793, which are stationed in Preah Vihear province, near the namesake temple, and Intervention Brigade 128, which is based in the O’Alay area of Stung Treng province’s Siem Pang district.
“Phnom Penh municipal hall appeals to all businessmen, investors and philanthropists, as well as district governors and the directors of all subordinate units, to donate as much food, money or other materials as possible. Their generosity will support the soldiers who are defending our territory, as well as their families,” said the notice.
Chhort Bunthang, a research fellow at the Royal Academy of Cambodia (RAC), noted that the troops who are stationed along the Thai, Vietnamese and Laos borders receive salaries and access to social protection systems.
However, as a token of gratitude for their service, on most major holidays, those who have the resources to do so generally visit the troops and offer them gifts.
He explained that the donations were provided by the authorities, as well as the wealthy, and usually included food and other materials.
“The call for donations from philanthropists is a way for the municipal authorities to express their love for the army and its troops, who have volunteered to defend all of us. It is because they are willing to stand at our borders that we are able to study, do business and travel,” he said.
He added that the efforts of philanthropists to supporting the armed forces, no matter how small or large the donation, is a reflection of the value that the public place on the sacrifices made by the soldiers, who have willingly volunteered their time and energy to keep us safe.
