Ly Yong Phat and the Cambodian orangutans

[Guest guest]

This extract is from a story about the possession of 20+ smuggled

orangutans by a facility called Safari World in Koh Khong, Cambodia. It was

posted to AAPN yesterday and comes from the Phnom Penh Post. I did a google

search on Ly Yong Fat, the owner of Safari World (Cambodia) and scored many

" hits. " I hope it's not the same person - that would explain why the

Cambodian delegates to CITES were nervous at even the mention of the

orangutans.

 

" Safari World embroiled in animal trafficking controversy, again, by Liam

Cochrane

On November 10, the Cambodian office for the Convention on International

Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), sent a letter

to Ly Yong Phat, the owner of Safari World's parent company Koh Kong

International Resort Casino, inviting him to begin the application process. "

 

Here's an article posted to Khmer Intelligence on 14 November 2004.

 

" The mafia consolidates its grip on Cambodia "

 

The regional Mafia finds many ways to preserve and consolidate its grip on

Cambodia. Through corruption of political leaders from the ruling CPP and

Funcinpec, it has secured influential/strategic positions for the organized

crime.

The Cambodian-Thai Mafia is represented by Ly Yong Phat, also known as

Phat Suphapha on his Thai passport (KI, 06 July 2004: " Australian

authorities investigate pro-CPP businessman Ly Yong Phat " ). Ly Yong Phat,

also known as the " King of Koh Kong " , is notoriously engaged in smuggling,

casinos, and money laundering. Following a severe crackdown on the mafia by

the Thai authorities, illicit drug trafficking and manufacturing

(amphetamines and methamphetamines) activities are thriving in Cambodia,

along the border with Thailand.

Already in a long-time symbiotic relationship with the CPP, the mafia has,

over a more recent period of time, successfully infiltrated Funcinpec (KI,

25 February 2004: " CPP-affiliated businessmen try to buy Alliance leaders " ;

KI, 03 August 2004: " Prince Ranariddh receiving extra cash " ).

While most Funcinpec-affilialed provincial or municipal Governors have

been recently dismissed, demoted or transferred, Say Hak, one of Ly Yong

Phat's relatives and close associates, has just been re-appointed Governor

of the port city of Sihanoukville, a key position to oversee illegal

activities including drug trafficking. New evidence of drug trafficking

activities through Sihanoukville has been made available to Interpol and

the DEA.

On 6 March 2004, Ly Yong Phat and Say Hak were seen in Bangkok escorting

Prince Norodom Ranariddh from the airport to the latter's luxurious

residence at the " All Seasons Place " compound, on Wireless Road.