More than 130 families in Preah Vihear province who continue to defy eviction orders will not receive any compensation if they do not leave their homes by Friday, the Choam Ksan district governor has warned.

Choam Ksan district governor Sok Hai yesterday said police and military police will use force and knock down homes if villagers in Svay Chrom village do not follow orders issued early this month to vacate their homes to make way for a government office.

“Svay Chrom village will not go to any individual, but will become state property in accordance with the royal decree,” he said. “We will dismantle the houses on Friday and not offer compensation because they have dismissed our announcement”.

Preah Vihear provincial governor Om Mara said it was time for the 132 families to move and said the government would no longer be obliged to compensate villagers who defied its orders.

The National Authority for Preah Vihear has offered the families land in nearby Samdech Techo village and US$500, but most have refused because they believe the land is not developed enough, villagers said.