S TREET names and numbers in Phnom Penh will revert to what they were during His
Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk's previous era in power, a top official
said.
Chap Nhalivoud, vice governor of Phnom Penh city municipality, says
about 100 street signs in Phnom Penh will be renamed after royalty and the high
dignitaries of the Prince Sihanouk period, 1954-1969. They will also be
re-assigned the numbers they had in this era.
The streets were re-named
after leading communists, by the former State of Cambodia regime.
Some
signs are already being removed on Phnom Penh's main streets: Tousamuth, Achar
Mean, Sivutha and Keo Mony, and replaced with the names Norodom, Monivong, Preah
Sihanouk and Issarak.
Nhalivoud says: "Our Royal government wants to keep
the original historic markers of the King's previous era, the period in which
Cambodia achieved its independence from the French.
"Everything must be
done; not only the streets, but also the universities, schools, hospitals and
government buildings."
But local residents have complained of confusion
when trying to find places, saying they have not been informed by the government
of the changes.
They also point out that every document relating to a
renamed location must now be changed, for example identity cards, plans and
advertising signs.
Tourists have also experienced difficulty caused by
city maps which no longer match street signs.
A Phnom Penh businessman,
who declined to be named, said: "It seems to be crazy that the new government
has to change even the numbers, there's no point to it, no political issue is
involved. I understand every regime wants their own achievements, but they
should also think about the people as well."
Nhalivoud says he hopes the
confusion will be eased by the new street signs having stickers on them with the
old SOC names and numbers.
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