sihanoukville – Tension between local police and beach vendors is simmering just below the white sands now that the rainy season is coming to a close and tourists are reappearing.
With a rising number of tourists having their phones or wallets stolen, the children of beach vendors are falling under the suspicious eye of local police, said Som Sokha, who earns a living by selling octopus on Ochheuteal Beach.
Tourism Police Officer Be Sivanna said that theft on the beaches has been getting worse ever since tourism started in Sihanoukville about 10 years ago. “We are not accusing the beach vendors specifically,” he said. “But some of their children could be involved.”
In addition to firmly denying a role in beach thefts, the vendors have countered with claims that they are being extorted and mistreated by local police officers.
“The police told us last week we would each have to pay 50,000 riel [about $12.50] for them to allow us to go about our business,” said Som Sokha. “But if they try to prevent us from selling, we will protest.”
The vendors’ exasperation culminated last week when 17-year-old Chea Ra, the son of a vendor, was arrested and beaten by police officers, said Chea Nhep, the teenager’s mother.
Chea Ra was accused of stealing a mobile phone from tourists for whom he was baby-sitting and was taken to a local police station, where he said he was kicked and slapped before being released.
“One officer told me he beat him for the pleasure of his hands,” Chea Nhep said.
When asked about Chea Ra and the general allegations of extortion, Officer Hok Sakuy denied the accusations.
“They are very poor, how could the police ask them for such a sum?” he asked. “I haven’t heard about the case of Chea Ra, but I will investigate. We have a law to follow—beating is wrong.”
