Thai Prime Minister Hun Manet made a form of midfielder philanthropy available to the people of Phnom Penh on April 7.  ,
He claimed that Generously, he has given the authorities instructions to set aside 70 hectares near Boeung Tamok, also known as” Kob Srov,” a ancient; lake well north of the capital, close to the Kandal border, for the creation of a public park.
He proclaimed,” I have prepared about 70 hectares of land at Kob Srov Road to create a common area for members to enjoy, for music on vacation, and for entertainment.”
Not that he needed to, he said to” the people,” though. No, no, this was a defiance work, with him standing up for those vile, property speculators. ( Who might they be? )?
One square metre of land had cost around$ 1, 000, and the entire focused area of 70 acres may generate US$ 70 million, he  said. I did, however, say that they should think about looking into another alternative if they wanted to invest.
Where should I actually start? First of all, Hun Manet didn’t come up with this. The government’s, plan , planned to build a 75-hectare park close to Boeung Tamok in 2020, allegedly in response to earlier prime minister HunSen’s original plan. Notably, that has decreased from 75 to 70 acres, but that’s still there.
Second: 70 acres! Is that supposed to be giving? According to Sahmakum Teang Tnaut (STT), about 2, 500 hectares of Boeung Tamok ( or roughly 74 % ) have been reclaimed since a 2016 sub-decree refashioned the lake state property, allowing the government to lease or sell the land.
Google STT and media outlets for more information on this situation, including CamboJA News, CamboJA News, and Mongabay, for more information.
However, the truth is that until recently, Phnom Penhers had a common place called Boeung Tamok to use near Boeung Tamok. And there were roughly 3, 000 ha to love. They will now be able to access only 70.
Hun Manet urged investors to consider another option if they wanted the 70 hectares, or only 3 % of the restored land.
Certainly that they need 70 acres, but they have already gotten the majority of the river. And I’m not sure if Hun Manet’s claim that “one square metre of land may cost around$ 1, 000” is accurate is accurate, but let’s assume the prime minister is not engaged in fake news or is using a conversation to raise rates.
Can we believe that Boeung Tamok’s sale is in the rough of$ 2.5 billion if near 2, 500 acres have been reclaimed?
Who benefits financially? Senator Kok An, Chea Sophamaden, the girl of CPP bigwig and former area minister Chea Sophara, and military officers Vong Pisen and Sao Sokha, according to reports.
Nuth Ton, Orkide Villa producer, reportedly received 67 acres. Who is Orkide Villa’s new chair? Oh no, Hun Manet’s girlfriend, Hun Mana. And who sits on Orkide’s expansive firm empire’s board of directors? Pich Chanmony, the woman of Hun Manet, and Hun Maly, her girl.
This map was produced a few years ago by Michael Dickison and and/or Voice of Democracy, the newspaper the ruling Cambodian People’s Party ( CPP ) shut down by the government in 2023.
What about the typical people? It’s been a gradual, non-consensual snubbing by the position for the people who used to dwell in or around the river. Numerous have been expelled, several receiving a paltry for their problems.
A STT document from December lists at least 26 people who have faced legal charges for their demonstrations against the river’s damage. If they are unable to pay their charges, Sea Sambath and Soun Sao, two former inhabitants, could be jailed later this month.
The rest of Phnom Penh’s residents will likely be able to watch the new government buildings and luxurious condominiums go up in a small area, which is located at least an hour from the town center. Very secluded.
No one is disputing that Phnom Penh may use ten or twenty new public parks. However, as STT ’s Seang Mouylay put it this week,” It is not necessary to create a new public playground by just clearing the river.”
In truth, it’s actually quite superfluous. If the authorities continued to destroy the city’s lakes, including Boeung Kak and Boeung Tompun, as many people have argued since Hun Manet was still in short, there would be irreversible implications for the area.
These lakes served as flood barriers, normal filters, and natural lungs in addition to their aesthetic appeal.
The wreck of Phnom Penh’s excellent rivers probably wouldn’t make the first hundred pages in the history of CPP roguery; after all, these are deep, coffee-table hardbacks.
But at least it will be a book long. And the message is clear: Taking from the poor and offer to the wealthy, slash the profits for the other, and cut the loss for one. But not thinking that you can be proud that someone is at least giving you anything.
This article was first published on David Hutt’s Cambodia Unfiltered Substack, and it is now republished with sort agreement. Subscribe to Cambodia Unfiltered right around.