Phnom Penh Municipality has postponed a proposed renovation of Phsar Chas, also known as the old market, following a demonstration Monday by vendors opposed to the plan.
“My main idea was to develop the market to improve the living conditions of the vendors,” First Deputy Governor Chea Sophara told hundreds of vendors who gathered in front of the municipal headquarters Monday morning. “But if the vendors are not happy with this I should cancel this project.”
Operators of Phsar Chas’ 584 stalls have closed their shops several times in protest this month after learning that the municipality planned to relocate them to a nearby park for two years while it tore down the existing building and built a three-story complex with a market and office space.
But the deputy governor said the renovations to Phsar Chas would still take place, setting the start date at five years from now.
