Phnom Penh Post - In pictures: May Day demonstrators met by riot police in Phnom Penh

More than a thousand workers gathered to celebrate May Day today in Phnom Penh, despite a heavy security presence of around 100 riot police, who at first prevented them from conducting a short march. Unions had planned to assemble 3,000 workers at the Russian Embassy on Sothearos Boulevard and march to the National Assembly, but were blocked by police barricades and around 40 police officers. After nearly two hours of negotiations with local authorities, the unions were allowed to conduct a short march to Australian Embassy, near the parliament, but only after around 100 riot police, equipped with shields, batons and smoke grenade launchers were deployed to watch over them.