The authorities have doubled down on eviction plans for the remaining holdouts in Pursat province’s Phnom 1500 area, noting that many of their claims of ownership are demonstrably false.

A total of 24 families out of the 98 living in the area, in Veal Veng district, have still not vacated the area.

While many of them have claim to have resided there for more than a decade, the provincial administration notes that Ministry of Environment maps from ten years ago the area as heavily forested and inaccessible by road.

Minister of Mines and Energy – and head of the Pursat national working group – Keo Rattanak explained that many of the so-called local residents are lawyers, police officers and teachers from Phnom Penh who own commercial properties or weekend homes in the area.

In a March 12 interview with RFI, Rattanak added that the authorities have been very patient with the citizens who refused to leave, even opting not to publicly reveal their identities.

“If the authorities had released photos on social media in the past, that would have been an option. But Prime Minister Hun Manet does not want to do that. He wants to resolve this issue while maintaining everyone's dignity, so that they can continue living with respect and legality,” he said.

The interview was later shared to social media by the prime minister.

Phnom 1500 is a popular tourist area, thanks to its breathtaking views and natural beauty. It has also become extremely accessible since a sealed concrete road was opened in 2020.

Pursat provincial governor Khoy Rida noted that despite official notices and numerous meetings, 24 families still refused to leave the Antung Ang Road (Phnom 1500) for a new location which has been arranged by the authorities. Instead, some have even protested loudly on social media.

“The time for delays has passed. We have tried our best with them. We have delayed the evictions due to our compassion for them, but now they have reached a point where they are forcing us to implement the law,” he told The Post on March 13.

The latest notice from the provincial administration was issued on March 3 and made public on March 11. It required the remaining citizens to leave the area within 15 days, so the authorities can restore it to a “green” area.

The authorities warned of legal penalties for those who refused to leave, including prison sentences of up to five years and fines of 500 million riel ($125,000).

The governor explained that most of those protesting are not landless, as some own multiple plots in the area.

He added that the authorities have arranged new, legal and appropriately developed sites. They include paved roads and water sources that will support agriculture.

“Unfortunately, they have no intention of cooperating with us. They follow their own narrow-minded ideas. We have everything – roads, electricity, clean water – everything they need at the new location. But they continue to shout as though there is nothing there. They refuse, and all they want to do is spread negativity," he said.

The new location covers more than 150 hectares and is located near a populated area, about six kilometres from the centre of Veal Veng district.