New Bilingual Book “The Smile of the Cambodian People” to Showcase Cambodia to the French-Speaking World
A new bilingual Khmer–French book, “The Smile of the Cambodian People”, will present Cambodia's history, architecture, customs, cuisine and arts to readers across the French-speaking world ahead of the Francophonie Summit in Phnom Penh.
អត្ថបទនេះមិនទាន់មានជាភាសាខ្មែរនៅឡើយទេ។ អ្នកកំពុងអានអត្ថបទដើមជាភាសាអង់គ្លេស។
A new bilingual book in Khmer and French, Le Sourire du peuple cambodgien (The Smile of the Cambodian People), is set to introduce Cambodia's culture to readers across the French-speaking world just as the Kingdom prepares to host the 20th Francophonie Summit in Phnom Penh in November. The book is a joint project of ThmeyThmey Media Group, Wonders of Cambodia and the publisher Sipar.
Key points
- “Le Sourire du peuple cambodgien” (The Smile of the Cambodian People) is a bilingual Khmer–French book of around 200 pages.
- It is a joint project of ThmeyThmey Media Group, Wonders of Cambodia and Sipar.
- The book is due out in the weeks before the 20th Francophonie Summit in Phnom Penh in November.
- An official launch is planned for 2 November 2026 at the Ministry of Information, presided over by H.E. Neth Pheaktra, Minister of Information.
- Pre-orders cost US$4, against a regular price of US$5.
Running to around 200 pages, the book brings together contributions from Cambodian and international writers, among them Mr. Ky Soklim, co-founder of ThmeyThmey Media Group. Its official launch is planned for 2 November 2026 at the Ministry of Information in Phnom Penh, with H.E. Neth Pheaktra, Minister of Information, presiding.
Cambodia beyond the familiar headlines
The book sets out to show a Cambodia that many foreign readers have never encountered. Rather than focusing only on Angkor Wat or on the painful years of the Khmer Rouge, it explores the country's history, architecture, traditional customs, cuisine and fine arts, painting a fuller portrait of Khmer life and identity.
Mr. Hok Sothik, director general of Sipar in Cambodia, explained that the aim is to help foreigners, and French speakers in particular, understand Cambodia beyond its famous monuments and its tragic past. The book is not only meant for visitors, he added: it is also written for Cambodians themselves, as an invitation to reflect on their own cultural identity. Its central idea is that the smile of the Cambodian people is also the smile of the wider French-speaking family.
A gift for the Francophonie Summit
Cambodia expects around 90 leaders from French-speaking countries and governments at the summit in mid-November, making it only the second ASEAN member to host the gathering, after Vietnam in 1997. Mr. Hok Sothik plans to present the book to summit guests, believing that most of them have not yet seen this side of the Kingdom.
The project reflects Cambodia's long ties with the French language and with French-speaking culture, and comes as Phnom Penh prepares a programme of events around the summit. For readers keen to get a copy early, the book is available to pre-order at a reduced price of US$4, compared with its regular price of US$5.
Sources: Cambodianess, Cambodianess.
Frequently asked questions
What is “The Smile of the Cambodian People”?
It is a new bilingual Khmer–French book of around 200 pages about Cambodia's history, architecture, customs, cuisine and fine arts, produced by ThmeyThmey Media Group, Wonders of Cambodia and Sipar.
When will the book be launched?
An official launch is planned for 2 November 2026 at the Ministry of Information in Phnom Penh, ahead of the 20th Francophonie Summit in mid-November.
How much does the book cost?
Pre-orders are priced at US$4, compared with a regular price of US$5.
