Background
The Kampong Speu Provincial Police Commissariat issued a public clarification following a Facebook post alleging that Kampong Speu traffic police on National Road 4 had aggressively stopped a vehicle and demanded US$200, allegedly using an ABA account belonging to an officer named Khem Sothearith. The commissariat verified that the referenced ABA account under the name Khem Sothearith is in fact owned by Police Major Khem Sothearith, ID 75743, who serves as a section chief in the road traffic office of the Kampong Speu Provincial Police Commissariat.
According to the statement, on 14 January 2023 traffic police in Kampong Speu were conducting traffic law enforcement on National Road 4 between kilometres 79 and 80. During this operation they stopped a Korean-made cargo truck carrying cement-like goods, bearing Phnom Penh plate 2BP-4662 and travelling from east to west toward Preah Sihanouk province. The driver, identified as Ni Vanheng, male, 22 years old, was found to be driving without a licence and carrying goods in violation of applicable rules.
Scope of Application
The clarification relates specifically to the conduct of traffic police officers under the Kampong Speu Provincial Police Commissariat and the handling of a single traffic enforcement incident on National Road 4. It covers the internal disciplinary response toward the involved traffic officers and outlines the intended legal procedures concerning the truck owner and operator implicated in the case.
Key Provisions or Decisions
The commissariat reported that the driver’s violations were subject to a fine of 1,200,000 riel, plus an additional 150,000 riel for the offence related to the cargo. During the interaction, an accompanying person and owner of the ceremony-related goods requested facilitation and offered US$200, asking for an ABA account number so that money could be transferred by a family member, allegedly because they did not have cash on hand. After transferring the US$200, the vehicle was allowed to continue its journey.
Following review of the incident and the social media allegation, the Kampong Speu Provincial Police Commissariat has:
- Confirmed that the ABA account used belongs to a serving traffic police officer of the commissariat.
- Placed 10 traffic police officers involved in the operation in temporary holding at the personnel office, pending disciplinary procedures under the internal regulations of the police force.
- Initiated further investigation with a view to taking additional legal procedures against the truck owner.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
This clarification demonstrates the provincial police’s formal response mechanism when allegations of irregular conduct by traffic police are raised publicly. Businesses operating transport vehicles on National Road 4 and in Kampong Speu province are reminded that traffic enforcement operations are ongoing and that violations such as driving without a licence and improper goods transport are subject to set monetary fines. The case also indicates that provincial authorities may initiate internal disciplinary measures against officers and pursue legal procedures against vehicle owners when irregular payments and non-compliant transport activities are identified.
Official Source
This information is based on an announcement published by the National Police of Cambodia via the Kampong Speu Provincial Police Commissariat on its official Facebook page on 16 January 2023.
