Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - King grants citizenships to family of environmentalists

King grants citizenships to family of environmentalists

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Ben Davis and his family posing for a photo in Preah Vihear province in December 2020. USAID GREENING PREY LANG

King grants citizenships to family of environmentalists

King Norodom Sihamoni has granted Khmer nationality through naturalisation to American environmentalist Benjamin Joseph Davis and his family for their efforts to protect the forest and wildlife of a sanctuary in Preah Vihear province.

According to a January 26 royal decree seen by The Post on January 31, citizenship was granted to Davis, 56, his Australian wife Sharyn Patricia Lwin, 48, and their two daughters Amelie Charis Davis and Jarrah Camille Davis, both in their teens.

Davis, better known as Ben, is well-known in Cambodia for his work in Phnom Tnout-Phnom Pok Wildlife Sanctuary in Preah Vihear.

Reached for comment on January 31, Ben said he was very happy to receive the citizenship as it provided motivation for him to continue his work.

“My family and I are delighted. The warmth of the King’s action in granting Khmer nationality to us has really had an effect on us. We are committed to fulfilling our work in protecting and preserving natural resources in this area.

“Protecting natural resources work is what I and my family love to do. We love this country very much and want to live here for the rest of our lives,” said Ben.

Ben and his family have been living in the Phnom Tnout-Phnom Pok sanctuary for more than 20 years. He has received praise from the Cambodian people and the government in the past, especially the Ministry of Environment.

Ministry spokesman Neth Pheaktra told The Post that the ministry congratulated Ben and his family for their honest contribution to protecting natural resources in the area.

He said the King’s granting of citizenship for the whole family reflects recognition of the family’s devotion, both physically and spiritually to the preservation of the wildlife sanctuary.

“This shows gratitude and appreciation to those who truly love the natural environment,” Pheaktra said.

According to Pheaktra, the sanctuary covers a total of 42,097ha, spanning Preah Vihear and Siem Reap provinces. The family has helped oversee more than 7,000ha of the sanctuary.

Ben, with the ministry’s approval, has transformed the area into a natural eco-tourism area named Be Treed.

MOST VIEWED

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • Honda shutters Siem Reap football club

    Japanese football legend Keisuke Honda, the owner of Siem Reap football club Soltilo Angkor FC, has been forced to shut the club down, after it failed to attract sponsorship for the upcoming season. Honda, the former manager of the Cambodia men's national football team, said

  • Hun Sen warns of regional tensions

    ASIA is becoming a dangerous geopolitical hotspot, with several countries announcing that they intend to send naval vessels towards Southeast Asia and on to the South China Sea, warned Prime Minister Hun Sen. “Heated geopolitical issues can easily escalate, namely to war. I am not

  • PM declares ASEAN Para Games open

    The 12th ASEAN Para Games officially kicked off on the evening of June 3 at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, with a spectacular opening ceremony featuring fireworks and performances by some of the Kingdom’s most accomplished talents. Tens of thousands of sports fans

  • Waterway job still pending for Kampot tourism port’s opening

    The search is still on for a contractor to expand and deepen the Kampot International Tourism Port’s waterway and deliver additional enhancements allowing safe access for larger vessels, nearly a year after the main construction work on the 4.25ha site was completed on June 30, 2022.