PHNOM PENH: The Ministry of Interior has ordered an investigation into reports that foreigners were fined by traffic police or related personnel in Phnom Penh, as the ministry reiterated that currently suspended traffic enforcement will be reinstated on Tuesday (Sept 1).
The investigation follows the circulation of images on social media concerning foreigners who were allegedly stopped and fined in the capital.
Among the material being circulated are images showing two foreigners wearing helmets on a motorcycle and a screenshot of a US$138 bank transaction dated Aug 30, 2026, and made to the account of one Sok Huoch.
The transaction screenshot does not establish the purpose of the payment or show that the recipient was a traffic police officer. The circumstances surrounding it remain subject to investigation.
Touch Sokhak, interior ministry spokesperson, said on August 31 that the ministry was taking the allegations seriously, with interior minister Sar Sokha ordering officials to investigate the case and establish the facts.
“Regarding reports that foreigners were subjected to traffic fines by traffic police or related officials in Phnom Penh, the ministry has taken the strictest position on the matter,” he said.
He added that Sokha has ordered officials to conduct a thorough investigation.
According to Sokhak, if the investigation finds that traffic police officers were involved in wrongdoing, disciplinary measures under National Police regulations will be applied, alongside any other measures required by law.
“If traffic police officers are involved, we must apply traffic police disciplinary regulations and enforce the law,” he said.
The ministry has indicated that the consequences could be even more immediate for contracted personnel assisting with traffic duties.
“If contracted personnel assisting with traffic work are found to be involved, their contracts must be terminated, while other legal aspects must also be examined for further action,” Sokhak said.
A key issue in the case is the timing of the alleged fine.
“As a principle, the enforcement of traffic law fines begins from September 1 onwards,” Sokhak explained.
The circulated transaction is dated August 30. Investigators will therefore need to establish whether the $138 payment was in fact connected to traffic enforcement, as alleged, and whether any official or contracted personnel acted outside the ministry’s rules.
It was not immediately clear which breaches of traffic regulations would result in a fine of $138. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
