Twelve families living in a 90-year-old French-colonial era building near Phsar Krom Market in Kampong Chhnang town’s Phsar Chhnang commune have agreed to vacate the structure after engineers assessed that it was extremely dilapidated and posed a danger.

In an official notice citing concerns for their safety, the provincial administration said the 12 families had to pack their belongings and leave by December 13.

“The provincial administration has already notified them three times that they can no longer stay there. Their titles of ownership will be properly maintained,” the notice said.

Kampong Chhnang town acting governor Hing Phav Mina has agreed that the building’s current condition is dangerous based on expert assessments by two relevant ministries, while provincial deputy governor San Yo warned that authorities would implement administrative measures if the occupants refuse to leave.

“They have been gradually leaving since last week. Some leave today and more will follow tomorrow ... The provincial administration has no intentions other than to protect their lives and property,” he said. “We do not want to take their building or land. In fact, the administration is facilitating the provision of legal services for its demolition and expediting permission for them to construct a new building.”

Although the building is old and dates from the French-colonial era, it is not unique or built with that era’s distinct architectural style, so there is no reason to invest in the added cost of preserving it when it would be cheaper to knock it down and allow construction of a new residential building by the occupants, he explained.

Citing expert assessments, he said the building cannot be easily repaired and it is at high risk of collapse in the near future.