AKP Phnom Penh, July 30, 2025 --

Senate President Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen has expressed his heartfelt appreciation to all banking and microfinance institutions that have contributed to easing the financial burden on members of the armed forces, particularly those who have fallen or are actively defending national sovereignty, by fully waiving their outstanding debts.

This gesture of solidarity is in response to an appeal made by Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet.

On July 29, Samdech Thipadei called on the Association of Banks in Cambodia and the Cambodia Microfinance Association to consider ways to help reduce the financial burden on members of the armed forces.

The appeal comes as recent clashes between Cambodian and Thai forces have led to the deaths and injuries of several soldiers and displaced hundreds of thousands of families who are now unable to earn a living, the Prime Minister said in a statement on his social media platform this evening.

The National Bank of Cambodia has also issued a directive recommending all banking and financial institutions extend preferential treatment to displaced customers. This includes the waiving of all fees and penalties related to loans from now until Oct. 31, 2025, as well as the suspension of interest payments and deferment of principal repayments during the same period. Institutions are not required to capitalise interest on the outstanding principal under this arrangement.

Additionally, banking and financial institutions are advised to cancel loans of up to 80 million Riel (approximately US$20,000) for customers or co-borrowers who are fallen soldiers. They are also required to continue restructuring loans for other customers in line with existing regulations.

The directive further encourages banking and financial institutions to provide special preferential treatment, where feasible, to workers recently repatriated from Thailand and to frontline military personnel.

By Heng Panha