Families ask for clarity on airport plan

Thma Kul villagers protest outside the Council of Ministers yesterday demanding a resolution to a land dispute over the expansion of Phnom Penh International Airport. Pech Sotheary

Representatives of 531 families potentially affected by Phnom Penh International Airport’s expansion yesterday asked the Council of Ministers to speed up resolution of the land dispute, which has languished for four years already.

Representative Kong Phalla said the affected people had put together a book discussing the impact of the expansion and estimated compensation deserved, and submitted it to the Council of Ministers.

Prime Minister Hun Sen said on March 16 that the airport would not expand to the surrounding properties, but the demonstrators have demanded official confirmation and land titles.

They also asked whether they could renovate their properties. “People whose houses are dilapidated have not repaired their houses,” community representative Phuong Sopheap said.

If the expansion was planned on their land, they would leave as soon as they get their compensation, he said.

The Council of Ministers adviser in charge of complaints, Seng Savorn, said that he will pass the request to the government. Soy Samkhan, the airport director, declined to comment.

Contact author: Pech Sotheary

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