Mech Dara
Land granted to tycoon Khun Sea in Preah Sihanouk province’s Ream National Park. (Danielle Keeton-Olsen/VOD)

10,000 Hectares Privatized for Khun Sea, ‘Families’

Six sub-decrees signed in the span of a week privatized nearly 10,000 hectares across four provinces, with thousands of hectares going to unspecified families in northeastern provinces and a plot in Ream National Park adding to land tycoon Khun Sea’s property empire. 

A screenshot from a video of a shoe being thrown toward Prime Minister Hun Sen as he meets a crowd in the U.S. on May 11, 2022.

Hun Sen Vexed About US Shoe Throwing

Prime Minister Hun Sen asked supporters to tolerate a shoe thrown at him in Washington, but pondered why U.S. officials didn’t respond to a violent action.

A house in Prek Sleng commune, in Kandal province’s Kandal Stung district, displays ruling party flags and a photo of Prime Minister Hun Sen, on May 6, 2022. (Michael Dickison/VOD)

Techo Airport Dispute, Gun Fire and Land Clearings Fuel Electoral Discontent

Kandal’s new airport development has raised tensions in Kandal Stung’s communes — residents have spoken about officers firing warning shots and loss of land. With the commune election a month away, Candlelight candidates are taking up the issue looking to capitalize on the growing discontent in the district.

Landfilling on Phnom Penh’s Boeng Tamok lake in March 2022. (Danielle Keeton-Olsen/VOD)

Boeng Tamok Evaporates Under Government, Developers’ Gaze

Among the first real estate offerings on Phnom Penh’s shrinking Boeng Tamok lake are being put up for sale. Marketing materials show only around 5% of the lake remaining as water in the midst of development projects, military and police bases and state buildings.