Lake development

Officials from City Hall began surveying the property last week of residents of the Boeung Kak lakeside who have requested on-site relocation following their eviction, though lakesiders say they fear the process may be used against them in future talks.

Heng Sokveang, 23, of the lakeside’s Village 6, said city officials had requested that he and other residents thumbprint the surveying documents upon completion of the process, though they gave no indication of how such documents would be used.

City officials have previously offered rooms in apartment blocks to be constructed at the site, but residents have called for ground-floor housing that would allow them to operate businesses out of their homes.

“I added in writing that I want an apartment that I own legally, not something in a building with many storeys,” Heng Sokveang said.  Srah Chak commune chief Chhay Thirith said he was unsure of the purpose of the surveying process.