A group of street vendors gathered yesterday to defy an order to leave a vacant plot of land near Phnom Penh’s riverside by July 25.

The 18 vendors, who sell food, hats and other goods from the location on Street 154 near Phsar Kandal market, said they received a note, dated July 11, from the president of Nine Bamboo Leaf Limited, Lim Socheat.

The company, which owns the land, demanded the vendors take their business elsewhere two weeks after a previous visit from a company staff member, identified by vendors only as Tha.

Mao Lai, 58, a representative of the group, said Tha gave them a second option: the company would build stalls and rent them out for $1,500 per month.

“How could people like me have the money to pay?” she said.

Cobbler Sok Cheat, 38, said the group would be willing to pay $50 per month in rent.

The group also sent a letter to Daun Penh District Governor Kouch Chamroeun requesting intervention. Chamroeun said yesterday that he had received their letter and would send officials to inspect the site, but did not specify when or what action would be taken.