Vendors from Tonloab to return to PM's home

The Phnom Penh Post
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
May Titthara

MARKET vendors involved in a land dispute in Takeo province said they plan to assemble in Phnom Penh today to renew protests in front of Prime Minister Hun Sen's Takhmao home.

The vendors say they were deceived into leaving their stalls by the owners of the Tonloab market, who then sold off the stalls to others at higher prices.

About 130 of the vendors walked the 30 kilometers to Phnom Penh on August 1 to lodge a protest with Hun Sen's office. They returned home after receiving assurances that the government would broker a solution, but since then nothing has been resolved, the vendors said.

Men Chana, a market vendor, said the protesters were trying to organise the rally without raising too much attention, over fears that they might be denied the right to assemble.

"We are coming back to Phnom Penh quietly because we are afraid the authorities might ban us as they did before," she said.

"We will be arriving one by one to stay with relatives, and we will gather [today] in front of the prime minister's house," Men Chana said.

She added that this time the protesters would not return home until they are granted a meeting with Hun Sen.