Cambodia in brief: January 31, 2017

CNRP to boycott ‘minority’ status vote The opposition will boycott a vote today expected to scrap their standing as the National Assembly’s “minority” party, with some members decrying the “affront” to the institution and one saying its loss may actually help the party’s cause with voters. READ MORE Mother Nature activists’ appeal to be heard A group of 48 civil society organisations has called on the Court of Appeal to reverse the July conviction of three Mother Nature activists as their trial begins today, though neither the environmentalists nor their lawyers are expected to appear. READ MORE  River families face eviction Nearly 100 families living along a riverbank where the Mekong and Sekong rivers meet in Stung Treng province have been told they must vacate the area no later than July to pave the way for a landscape beautification project.  READ MORE  Steeper entry at Angkor temples Ticket prices for Angkor Wat are scheduled to increase on Wednesday, with industry experts expressing cautious optimism that despite reports showing tourist spending fell last year, the sharp increase in admission fares at the country’s premier tourist attraction would not deter foreigners from visiting Cambodia. READ MORE Coal-fired plant tests new power generator Structural testing of the third unit of a 700-megawatt coal-fired power plant under development in Preah Sihanouk province has begun, with the new unit expected to go online by the end of the quarter, a government official said yesterday.  READ MORE Home United survive late rally from Crown Leading Singapore club Home United edged six-time Metfone C-League champions Phnom Penh Crown 4-3 in the first leg of their AFC Cup Playoff at the RSN Stadium yesterday evening. The second leg will be played at the Bishan Stadium in the city-state on February 7. READ MORE  Most popular story from yesterday © Hong Menea Answers sought from Banh on promotion of MPs' attackers A senior opposition lawmaker says he will request Minister of Defence Tea Banh explain at parliament why three members of the Prime Minister’s Bodyguard Unit were promoted after serving prison time for seriously assaulting two opposition lawmakers. READ MORE