Organization
Cambodian Society in the United Kingdom (CASUNIK)
The Cambodian Society in the United Kingdom (CASUNIK) is a Cambodian community association and registered charity based in London.[1][2] It helps Cambodians living in or visiting the United Kingdom, and it teaches the British public about Cambodia, its people, history, culture and traditions.[2][1]
History
CASUNIK was founded by Cambodian students, immigrants and diplomatic staff who were stranded abroad in 1975, when the Khmer Rouge under Pol Pot declared "Year Zero" and cut Cambodia off from the world.[2] It was registered as a charity under the Charities Act 1960 on July 2, 1985, as charity number 292074.[3][1][2] Since the Royal Embassy of Cambodia in London reopened, the society has worked closely with it on a non-political basis.[2]
Activities
The society works to keep Khmer tradition and culture alive in Britain and to build cultural exchange between Great Britain and Cambodia, which it calls a bond between the two kingdoms.[2] It also offers information and help on matters from the personal to the official, and it reports work in Cambodia.[2][4]
Its main events each year are the Cambodian New Year in mid-April, the Pchum Ben remembrance ceremony in September or October, and a Christmas party.[1] Members elect the new executive committee at the Pchum Ben ceremony.[1] For 2025 the society announced a Pchum Ben (Ancestors Day) gathering, and it called for volunteer stage assistants for the Royal Kathina Festival and for new acts and Khmer traditional musicians for the Khmer New Year.[2]
The society holds its Pchum Ben ceremony at Amaravati Buddhist Monastery in Great Gaddesden, Hertfordshire. About 200 people attended in 2023, 2024 and 2025.[5][6][7] Monks of Amaravati also lead the chanting and blessing at its Cambodian New Year, as they did on April 12, 2025, and the money raised at the ceremony goes to the monastery.[6] The society takes part in the Kathina festivals at Amaravati and at Cittaviveka, the Chithurst Buddhist Monastery near Petersfield.[6]
Finances
The society is run by three trustees.[1] It reported income of £5,855 for the year ending in August 2024.[4] For the financial year ending August 31, 2025, it reported income of £3,601 and spending of £3,690.[1] NGO Explorer places its registered office in the South East region of England.[4]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Charity Commission for England and Wales, Cambodian Society in the United Kingdom, charity 292074
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Cambodian Society in the United Kingdom, home page (2025)
- ↑ NGO Explorer, charities working in Cambodia (2017)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 NGO Explorer, charities working in Cambodia (2023)
- ↑ Royal Embassy of Cambodia in London, Ambassador and embassy staff attend the Pchum Ben ceremony at Amaravati Pagoda (October 15, 2023)
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Cambodian Society in the United Kingdom, Annual General Report October 2024 to September 2025 (October 20, 2025)
- ↑ Royal Embassy of Cambodia in London, Pchum Ben at Amaravati Buddhist Monastery (September 20, 2025)