A man rides past a KTV parlour that has been shut in the capital’s Chamkarmon district. Heng Chivoan
Karaoke venues, nightclubs, car and motorcycle parking lots as well as parking on the roadsides will be banned by Phnom Penh authorities during the upcoming ASEAN Summits and related meetings. The use of sirens by all public and private hospitals will be banned during the same period by the technical director-general of the Ministry of health.
Ahead of the November 10-13 meetings, Phnom Penh governor Khuong Sreng held November 7 final meeting to review progress of strengthening security and public order, as well as protecting the aesthetics and environment of the capital.
He instructed the governors of the city’s 14 districts to closely examine any business locations that might pose a risk to the image and great honour of the Kingdom, and suspend their operations for the duration of the summit.
“On the main roads that delegates will pass along, especially the Russian Federation Boulevard, all gas stations, car dealerships and construction sites, etc. have been temporarily suspended as are KTVs and entertainment clubs. The parking of cars or motorcycles along these main thoroughfares is also forbidden,” he said.
Sreng added that during the ASEAN Summit, any gatherings at guest houses, protests or actions that disturb the procession of delegates are strictly prohibited.
According to Article 81 of the Road Traffic Law, “Anyone who disobeys the orders of the competent officers to protect the procession of delegates or senior leaders or causes damage to a convoy vehicle shall be punished by imprisonment for one to six months and a fine of 800,000 to 4 million riel.”
On November 8, Hok Kim Cheng, the health ministry’s technical director-general, issued a letter to the directors of all public and private health services and clinics, explaining that ambulances were banned from using sirens.
“From November 8 to 14, during the ASEAN Summit, it is strictly forbidden for ambulances to use sirens on the streets, even while transporting patients,” he said.
He added that the sirens were a nuisance to security and public order, and a distraction for the traffic police who were preparing to welcome the guests of the summit.
Phnom Penh governor Sreng stated that the ASEAN Summit, which Cambodia is chairing, will be attended by the heads of state and government of 28 countries as well as a number of NGOs along with many dialogue partners. During these important meetings, there will be traffic jams on some roads as the high-level national and international delegations pass through to attend the meetings.
The Phnom Penh Municipal Authority on November 4 announced to temporarily block all types of vehicles from entering Phnom Penh via the Boulevard of the Russian Federation. Drivers must divert their travel via the Chom Chao flyover towards Chom Chao Boulevard.
Vehicles entering and exiting Norodom Blvd. must divert via Street 63 and Sisowath Quay. Vehicles entering and exiting Monivong Blvd. will be diverted at the intersection of Kbal Thnal Road to the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Boulevard, Street 271 and at the Kouch Kanong Roundabout and turn to Oknha Khleang Moeung Street or Street 70.
Theng Sothol, governor of 7 Makara district, told The Post on November 9 that district authorities had stepped up measures to protect security, beauty, the environment and public order from November 5, when international guests began entering Cambodia. He said that several important roads in the district were already prepared, including Russian Federation Blvd., Monivong Blvd., Sihanoukville Blvd. and Kampuchea Krom Blvd.
“In my district, most of our measures have been taken around the Council of Ministers building, as well as Monivong Blvd. None of the international visitors have chosen accommodation in my district. People’s businesses and daily lives should not be unduly affected, but they must remember to play their part in maintaining order and a clean environment,” he said.
