KEP: Responding to online criticism of checkpoints in Kep meant to collect money from tourists, the Prime Minister ordered their removal on 15 April.

Complaints about the checkpoints were posted online last week. Facebook user Samnang Nov posted a picture along with a message reading, “Disappointed with this situation. Other provinces want tourists to come and visit, but this province is different. [Kep] just wants money, even from those who are just driving through. How do you explain this, Kep authorities? Please look into it. If visitors stop coming to your province, what will you have to be proud of?”

Later that day, Prime Minister Hun Sen posted a message on Telegram asking Kep Governor Som Piseth, “Is this true?”

The Prime Minister then ordered the governor to end the practice, emphasizing that the collection of taxes from tourists is not profitable and will only invite more problems. "More visitors means more for the province,” he wrote.

The Kep Provincial Administration responded on its Facebook page, saying, "The checkpoints must be removed after the order of His Excellency Dr. Som Piseth, Governor of the Kep Provincial Board of Governors.”