Sihanoukville’s Controversial Beach Wall Demolished
A concrete wall built on Ochheuteal beach in Sihanoukville has been taken down after Prime Minister Hun Sen ordered provincial authorities to take action. Photo: Social Media
- By Lay Sopheavotey
- and Meng Seavmey
- February 9, 2023 2:09 PM
PHNOM PENH – A concrete wall built on Ochheuteal beach in Sihanoukville has been taken down after Prime Minister Hun Sen ordered provincial authorities to take action.
The demolition followed a big wave of criticism from the public, especially environmentalists and civil society groups, when a picture of the wall was posted on social media.
Long Dimanche, Deputy Governor of Preah Sihanouk province, said the Prime Minister had called on the provincial administration to talk with the landowner, who removed the wall on the evening of Feb. 8.
The wall had been built near the shore in Commune 4.
The picture of the almost-completed wall had been shared mainly on Facebook, which sparked the wave of criticism in early February.
Many comments asked the authority to seize the land ownership back. Dimanche said this could not be done because it was not a public space and the owner held a legal ownership document.
