POLICE and military police on Tuesday abandoned attempts to forcibly evict vendors from Psar Snoeng in Battambang province’s Banon district, after almost 100 shop operators protested outside the market, the demonstrators said.

Bun Thet said that around 15 police officers arrived early Tuesday morning to remove vendors and conduct demolition at the site, but ditched their plans after seeing the protesters.

Vendors have been given two notices to leave the site, though deadlines have passed without incident.

Authorities say the site needs to be closed for a highway upgrade, and have suggested vendors move to a new privately owned market site.