British ambassador Mark Gooding set off yesterday for a three-day visit to the northern provinces of Cambodia, where he will meet with provincial governors, civil society representatives, community representatives and university students, the embassy said.

“It is the first-ever visit of the ambassador to the four provinces to learn about the situation in each province, such as the living conditions of the villagers and the economic, human-rights and land issues,” Ty Chan, the ambassador’s personal assistant, said.

Gooding is due to visit Ratanakkiri, Stung Treng, Mondulkiri and Kratie — four provinces that have found themselves especially mired in land disputes in recent years.

To contact the reporter on this story: Vong Sokheng at [email protected]