KOH Kong provincial authorities have warned a group of vendors they face legal repercussions if they refuse to close their beachfront stores after leases, issued by the province’s department of commerce, expired two months ago.

Koh Kong provincial hall administration director Ouch Touch issued a statement yesterday ordering 12 vendors along the beach in Bak Klorng commune to close or move their stores before Monday.

Ouch Touch said: “The province can no longer continue to lease property in this particular location due to policy changes which require upkeep and beautification of the beach after Cambodia became a member of the World’s Most Beautiful Beach Club.”

Cambodia reportedly became a member of the World’s Most Beautiful Beach Club on May 25 of this year at a general assembly of the club in Senegal. The club has 10-member countries, representing 32 beaches.

Director of the Provincial Commerce Department Ouk Sarith said: “The shopkeeper’s leases ended long ago and I need to take the area back in order to develop the province.”

Sat La, a 46-year-old vendor along the beach, said she has rented space in the area for 16 years and now has no where else to go.

“We don’t know where to live and sell goods to make a living. I am just waiting for the authorities to bulldoze the shops,” said Sat La.