Recently, Cambodia has experienced frequent fatal falls from high-rise buildings, with many cases quickly ruled as "suicides" by the police, sparking widespread skepticism from all sectors of society. Experts point out that some of these incidents may involve online gambling, debt disputes, or even cross-border crime, and call for strengthened investigations to avoid hasty conclusions that could damage judicial credibility.
According to reports, two young women died from falling from buildings in Phnom Penh on May 16 and May 18, respectively. The victims were a 20-year-old Chinese-Cambodian bilingual translator and a 22-year-old Cambodian woman. Despite numerous doubts at the scene, the police quickly ruled out homicide and concluded "suicide," without disclosing more investigative details, causing public uproar.
In the case on May 16, the victim fell from a 20-story building and died instantly. Several witnesses reported hearing intense arguments inside the building before the incident, but the police did not publicly respond to these clues and only handed the body over to the family without revealing whether a thorough investigation was conducted.
The other case on May 18 involved a victim reportedly deep in gambling debt. The police stated that the victim was addicted to online gambling and committed suicide due to emotional and financial problems. However, it was reported that her Chinese boyfriend had briefly returned to China before the incident and then came back to Cambodia, adding complexity to the case and attracting further attention.
According to incomplete statistics, since the beginning of this year, fatal falls from high-rise buildings have been frequent in Cambodia, especially in Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, and Poipet. Some of the victims were Chinese citizens, raising widespread concerns about illegal gambling, violent debt collection, and human trafficking.
The director of the International Relations Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, Kim Bia, expressed deep concern about these frequent incidents, which not only threaten public security but could also damage Cambodia's international image. He urged the government and police to intensify investigations to uncover the real reasons behind these deaths.
"Even if it is indeed suicide, it must be confirmed through a complete and professional judicial process, not hastily concluded," Kim Bia emphasized. He pointed out that gambling and underground financial systems are often the root causes of these tragedies, and if not thoroughly addressed, Cambodia could become a hub for online crime in Southeast Asia.
The director of the Center for People's Development and Peace, Yang Jinying, also stated that law enforcement should comprehensively gather evidence before making a determination, including investigating whether the deceased had psychological issues, life conflicts, or signs of violence, rather than just making preliminary conclusions. He bluntly stated: "Every hasty determination is an indulgence of potential criminal behavior."
As of May 19, the Cambodian Ministry of Interior has not yet responded officially to the recent series of fatal falls. Various sectors are calling for the government to establish a cross-departmental task force to thoroughly investigate the dark industry chain behind these deaths, to restore a just and safe environment to society.
