THE disputed Renakse Hotel across from the Royal Palace is facing demolition, according to its manager, who claims the ruling Cambodian People's Party has declared the building "too dangerous" to live in and has ordered it be razed.

Manager Kem Chanta said Wednesday that she has received a letter from CPP lawyer Khiev Sepphan informing her that the 100-year-old hotel was unsafe and that he has requested that it be examined by the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction.

"When they act like this, it means they want to tear the building down because they could not break the contract," she told the Post Wednesday.

The CPP announced in September that it would break its 49-year lease with Kem Chantha.

Kem Chantha was informed that the new owners, Alexan Inc, would take possession at the end of that month and develop the property as housing for government officials, but the manager has refused to leave her hotel.

Khiev Sepphan's letter states that unless Kem Chantha can prove the building is safe, the CPP will reclaim it to "find a solution to rebuild, to avoid danger for the people who stay in the hotel".

But Kem Chantha remained defiant. "If they want to play tricks and construct a new building they should take a look at the contract because it says we can't tear the building down, only repair it," she said.

Te Bou, chief of Daun Penh district's Cadastral Department, said that as of Wednesday, he had not received any letter from Khiev Sepphan's office.