Two days have passed since the deadline for the remaining residents to vacate Phnom Penh’s Angkor Meanchey building expired.

The authorities have sealed the building off, and are currently discussing when demolition of the structure – which they have described as dangerously dilapidated – will begin.

Four of the 65 families that were dwelling in the building have not yet agreed to a proposed compensation and relocation package, and say they will remain in the building.

One of the remaining residents, Lim Pov, whose family has lived in the building for about 20 years, told The Post that she has not yet decided whether to leave or not, even though the site is now barricaded and demolition preparations are underway.

“I was thinking of staying for another two to three days, but this morning they cut off the water,” she added.

The co-owned structure, on the on the corner of Monivong and Kampuchea Krom boulevards, was built as a hotel in 1950. Now 75 years old, it stands six stories high, with its 107 rooms covering 590 square metres.

The Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction explained that 61 families — 94 per cent of the residents — have already agreed to a negotiated solution and voluntarily relocated to safer accommodation.

The authorities sealed the building off on May 22, saying it could ‘collapse at any time’. Phak Seangly

Structural assessments by the ministry’s National Laboratory of Construction confirmed that the building has severely deteriorated, with compromised structural integrity. It now faces a serious risk of sudden collapse without warning, posing a grave threat to the lives and property of nearby residents.

Under a 2019 Construction Law, and to prevent loss of life, property damage or other accidents, the ministry issued an order for the four remaining families — who still reside and conduct businesses in the building — to cease all activity immediately and vacate the premises within 15 days from May 5.

One day after the deadline passed, a team from Phnom Penh’s 7 Makara District Administration and the ministry began cordoning off the building. The site was reportedly fully barricaded by this morning.

Ministry spokesman Seng Lot stated that, as of today, May 22, the four families had still not agreed to any relocation solution.

“They have not yet completed negotiations or agreed to any solution, but the condition of the building is extremely deteriorated. That’s why we and local authorities have barricaded the area to prevent any incidents that could endanger residents inside, nearby neighbours or passersby. We’ve sealed off the building, in accordance with the expiration of the evacuation deadline,” he said.

“A technical team conducted an inspection and confirmed that the building is in critical disrepair. The pillars are cracked, and pieces of the ceiling have fallen, exposing the metal structure. The risk is very high. It could collapse at any moment. In the interests of public safety, the ministry and local authorities decided to suspend the use of the building,” Lot explained.

A team from the ministry is continuing to negotiate with the remaining residents.

Laundry can still be seen on at least one balcony as the authorities barricade the building. Phak Seangly

The ministry has instructed Phnom Penh City Hall to implement urgent measures such as barring access or the use of the building, to ensure safety, public order and security.

The demolition date has not yet been set, however.

“Demolition is the next phase, but it’s under review. Demolishing a building is not a simple task — it requires high safety precautions. Our technical teams are assessing the situation. A specific date has not been scheduled yet,” explained Lot.

He urged the remaining families to leave, just as the majority have done, stating that this is for their own safety and in the public interest.

“We are still working to find a solution for them, but this building is severely deteriorated. The demolition will proceed regardless of the residents’ consent. If they continue staying and the building collapses, who will bear responsibility — the residents or the authorities?” he asked.

Lot declined to comment on possible compensation or the future use of the site. For now, he said, the team’s main objective is to ensure the safety of people living in the building, those nearby and passersby — all of whom face serious risk.

Lim Pov said she was initially determined to stay because the compensation on offer was “too low.” She did not specify the exact amount but said authorities offered either cash or a house located far away. She declined to comment further on the matter.