SIHANOUKVILLE: A concrete wall built in the middle of Ochheuteal beach in Sangkat 4, Sihanoukville was demolished by authorities late around midnight on Thursday, 9 February 2023.

Preah Sihanouk Deputy Governor Long Dimanche confirmed to EAC News that the demolition of the concrete wall built on the beach took place following an order made by Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday.

“Instructions were given by the Prime Minister last night to the Sihanoukville Provincial Administration to coordinate and notify the owner of the site to demolish the wall on the beach, so we went and demolished it at night," said Deputy Governor Long Dimanche.

The demolition of the wall was ordered following public outcry and questioning over who had the power to cordon off a part of Ochheuteal beach, as authorities claimed it was the owner’s legitimate private property.

Sihanoukville Provincial Hall Spokesman and Deputy Governor, Long Dimanche, also confirmed that the site was previously owned by the Naval Police Unit and subdivided into state and private property. The portion of the beach being fenced off was supposedly handed over to a private company for development.

"The building title was already confirmed by the Royal Government since 2007, and a license was issued since 2008 to for a private [ownership] title," he said.

Sihanoukville Land Chief, Thai Kimsor, also confirmed that the concrete wall was being built on privately owned land with a legitimate title deed, and that he had also measured the area to make sure the wall was being built on the owned land and not encroaching on the public areas of the beach.

He said that the construction of the wall on Ochheuteal beach was in accordance with the law, unlike public opinion.