Mr. Somchai at the wedding of Hun Sen’s daughter
Ex-Thai prime minister attended the wedding of PM Hun Sen’s daughter Mr. Somchai (L) and PM Hun Sen (R) walk hands in hands cordially during the wedding ceremony.
 Mr. Somchai and his wife participated in a hair-cutting ceremony of the bride and bridegroom.
3rd January, 2009
The surprised appearance of ex-Thai PM, Mr. Somchai Wongsawat, at the wedding of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s daughter, Ms. Hun Mana, has attracted curious attention from many senior government officials.
Mr. Somchai arrived in Cambodia on the 2nd of January with his wife and 4-5 assistants. Upon their arrival at the airport, they were whisked away straight to Prime Minister Hun Sen’s residence in Takhmao city of Kandal province in order to attend the wedding of Mr. Hun Sen‘s daughter.
At the wedding ceremony, Mr. Hun Sen and Mr. Somchai have chatted cordially in front of many important guests.
Samdech Hun Sen and Lok Chumteav Bun Rany invited Mr. Somchai and his wife to participate in a haircutting ceremony of the bride and bridegroom and in other various ceremonies in accordance with the Khmer tradition.
Mr. Somchai accepted the invitation happily as he considered the Khmer and Thai traditions are very similar and both countries practise the same form of Buddhism.
Mr. Khieu Kanharith, the government spokesman, said that the invitation and the attendance of Mr. Somchai to the wedding of Samdech Hun Sen’s daughter is a private matter. He added that Mr. Somchai and Samdech Hun Sen have been friends for a long time, since before Mr. Somchai became Thailand’s prime minister.
Even though the invitation of Mr. Somchai is a private invitation, it shows that, in term of friendship and co-operation, both countries can still be good friends with each other. Prime Minister Hun Sen used to say that ‘if we (both countries) don’t have a concrete bridge, even a bamboo bridge is better than no bridge at all.’
Mr. Somchai, even though he is no longer a prime minister, but he used to be a special politician who had been actively involved in Thai politics for a long time. Please note that, Mr. Somchai, after attended the wedding of Mr. Hun Sen’s daughter, has attended a luncheon in his honour at Mondiale Centre and then returned to his native country on the same day.
Prime Minister Hun Sen has 5 children: 3 sons and 2 daughters. Ms. Hun Mana, the bride, is the second daughter who is a director-general of the Bayon TV. The bridegroom is Mr. Dy Vichea Chetra, the first son of the late Gen. Hok Lundy, the ex-National Police Commissioner of Cambodia. The late Gen. Hok Lundy has 5 children: 3 sons and 2 daughters. Labels: Hun Mana, hun sen, Prime Minister Hun Sen, Somchai Thailand
Elixir Gaming Enters into Agreement with NagaWorld Limited
Elixir Gaming Enters into Agreement with NagaWorld Limited to Place and Operate Gaming Machines on Participation Basis at Leading Cambodian Casino Resort
Mon Jan 5, 2009 7:00am EST
Soure: Reuters
LAS VEGAS--(Business Wire)--
Elixir Gaming Technologies, Inc. (AMEX:EGT) ("Elixir Gaming" or "the Company"),
a provider of gaming technology solutions to the Pan-Asian gaming industry,
announced today that it has entered into a contract with NagaWorld Limited, a
wholly owned subsidiary of the Hong Kong listed NagaCorp Ltd. (HKSE:3918), to
place electronic gaming machines on a participation basis at its NagaWorld, a
five-star hotel casino resort in Cambodia. The only licensed full service casino
in Phnom Penh, NagaWorld is a luxury destination resort.
Under the terms of the agreement, Elixir Gaming will place electronic gaming
machines in a prescribed area of NagaWorld`s 14-story hotel wing and will share
in the gross revenue generated by each machine. It is expected that
approximately 140 electronic gaming machines will be placed in the prescribed
area and Elixir Gaming and NagaWorld will have joint control over the operation
of the electronic gaming machines, including floor staffs and respective audit
rights. Elixir Gaming anticipates the electronic gaming machines to be in
operation in time for the upcoming Chinese New Year in late January 2009.
Subject to certain milestones and agreement between the parties, the Company
expects that the electronic gaming machines placed by it at NagaWorld may be
increased to over 200 by the second quarter of 2009.
NagaWorld is Cambodia`s only integrated hotel casino entertainment complex,
located in the heart of the nation`s capital city of Phnom Penh. One of
Cambodia`s most popular tourist destinations, NagaWorld currently has, among
others, 508 rooms, 176 table games, a premium meeting, incentive travel,
convention, and exhibition (MICE) facility, a retail shopping area, a collection
of restaurants and bars, a karaoke lounge, and a spa.
Clarence Chung, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, commented,
"We are excited to work with such a well-established gaming operator with a
proven track record of operating excellence, deep industry experience, and
extensive local knowledge and networking. NagaWorld is one of the premier hotel
casino resort destinations in Southeast Asia and its five-star amenities rival
those of many of the high-end casinos in major gaming markets worldwide.
Through Elixir Gaming`s expertise in developing full scale slot operations, as
well as collaborative marketing efforts, we believe we can drive even greater
player traffic and gaming revenue to NagaWorld`s already successful operation."
Stuart Sandon, Senior Vice President of NagaWorld Ltd., added, "Elixir Gaming`s
market knowledge and ability to develop and implement turnkey slot floor
solutions will help to solidify what is an important component to NagaWorld`s
gaming operation. We look forward to the benefit that Elixir Gaming`s expertise
and industry relationships, as well as its established and growing base of
operations will bring to the long-term success of our facility."
About Elixir Gaming Technologies, Inc.
Elixir Gaming Technologies, Inc. (AMEX:EGT) is a provider of gaming technology
solutions. The Company secures long-term contracts to provide comprehensive
turn-key solutions to 3, 4, and 5 star hotels and other well-located venues
throughout Asia that seek to offer casino gaming products. The Company retains
ownership of the gaming machines and systems and receives recurring daily fees
that average in excess of 20% of the net gaming win per machine and provides
on-site maintenance. The Company has established a strategic presence in the
Asia Pacific region with a focus on the Philippines and Cambodia markets. For
more information please visit www.elixirgaming.com.
About NagaCorp Ltd.
NagaCorp Ltd. (3918.HK) operates NagaWorld, the only licensed 5-Star Hotel
Casino Resort in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. NagaCorp holds a casino
license issued by the Royal Govemment of Cambodia, which gives the company the
rights to operate the casino for 70 years commencing January 1995 with 41 years
exclusivity within a 200 kilometer radius of Phnom Phen (except the
Cambodia-Vietnam boarder area, Bokor, Kirirom Mountains, and Sihanoukville.)
NagaWorld, currently has, among others, 508 rooms and 176 table games. NagaCorp
Ltd.is incorporated in Cayman Islands with limited liability and its securities
are listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning Elixir Gaming,
Elixir Group and Elixir International within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended. Those forward-looking statements include statements
regarding expectations for the business of Elixir Gaming, its working capital
requirements and future revenue and profitability. Such statements are subject
to certain risks and uncertainties, and actual circumstances, events or results
may differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements.
Factors that could cause or contribute to differences include, but are not
limited to, risks related to Elixir Gaming`s inability to place gaming machines
at significant levels, whether the gaming machines placed generate the expected
amount of net-win, the ability of Elixir Gaming to acquire additional capital as
and when needed, the ability of Elixir Gaming to collect revenue and protect its
assets and those other risks set forth in Elixir Gaming`s annual report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 filed with the SEC on March 31, 2008
and our Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2008 filed on
November 14, 2008. Elixir Gaming cautions readers not to place undue reliance on
any forward-looking statements. Elixir Gaming does not undertake, and
specifically disclaims any obligation to update or revise such statements to
reflect new circumstances or unanticipated events as they occur.
Elixir Gaming Technologies
Traci Mangini, 702-617-4741
SVP, Corporate Finance
or
Investors:
Jaffoni & Collins Incorporated
Richard Land/Dave Jacoby, 212-835-8500
egt@jcir.com
Labels: Casino
Born Samnang & Sok Sam Oeun Released
Cambodian Court Releases Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun, Alleged Killers of Union Boss, Chea Vichea
 Cambodian Sok Sam Oeun (centre) the previously convicted murderer of prominent Cambodian labour leader Chea Vichea, is escorted by police at the Supreme court in Phnom Penh. Cambodia's highest court has provisionally released two alleged killers of Vichea and ordered the case to be re-tried, citing unclear evidence.
(AFP/Tang Chhin Sothy)
 Cambodian prisoners Born Samnang, left, and Sok Sam Oeun, center, are paraded by police in Supreme Court in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008. A Cambodian highest court on Wednesday provisionally released the two believed to have been framed for murdering a prominent labor leader and government critic.
(AP Photo/Heng Sinith) PHNOM PENH (AFP) — Cambodia's highest court Wednesday provisionally released two alleged killers of a prominent labour leader and ordered the case to be re-tried, citing unclear evidence.
Chea Vichea, who headed the country's largest labour union and was a vocal critic of Prime Minister Hun Sen's government, was gunned down at a Phnom Penh newsstand in January 2004.
The daylight murder shocked the country and was condemned by Cambodian and international rights groups as a brutal attempt to silence the opposition-linked workers' group.
Just days after the killing, Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun were arrested, convicted of murder and quickly sentenced to 20 years each in prison.
International and local rights watchdogs had called the conviction and trial deeply flawed.
After the two men made their final appeal during a hearing Wednesday at the Supreme Court, judge Dith Monty, the court's president, dismissed the conviction, which was upheld by the Appeal Court in 2007.
"The case is a criminal one which requires more investigation," Dith Monty said, adding that to make sure the men's rights were not violated, the court had "decided to release the two suspects provisionally, but under watch of the court."
The judge also ordered the Appeal Court to retry the case, adding that the two men had to appear before the court when summoned.
The pair have denied any involvement in the killing. Former Phnom Penh police chief Heng Pov, who led the investigation, has also said that the two did not kill Chea Vichea.
The men told the court, which was packed with diplomats, rights activists, journalists and their relatives, that they had been framed by a group of police.
"I am not the killer," said Born Samnang, asking the judges to free him.
UN rights officials, the United States and relatives of the accused welcomed the court's decision.
"It was greeted with a warm round of applause by the public, including the families of the defendants, as it truly deserves," the UN rights office said in a statement.
The UN office "hopes that this decision will set the standards for the future handling of all criminal cases by Cambodian courts," it said.
In a statement, the United States urged the Appeal Court to "take up the case expeditiously and finally resolve this matter in a way consistent with Cambodian law and international standards of due process."
"The decision to release the two on bail and return the case to the appeals court for review was a particularly auspicious way to start the new year," said the US embassy's charge d'affaires Piper Campbell.
"I am very happy and I am excited that my son can stay out of detention," said Born Samnang's mother, Nuon Kimsry.
Rights group Amnesty International last week called for the release of the pair, saying the true perpetrators remained at large. Labels: Born Samnang, Chea Vichea, Sok Sam Oeun
|
Mr. Somchai (L) and PM Hun Sen (R) walk hands in hands cordially during the wedding ceremony.
Mr. Somchai and his wife participated in a hair-cutting ceremony of the bride and bridegroom. 
