Residents seek market price

T85 residents sit down during a protest in Tonle Bassac commune, in Phnom Penh’s Chamkarmon district yesterday. Photo by: Hong Menea

Thursday, 20 October 2011 12:01
Buth Reaksmey Kongkea
The Phnom Penh Post

Representatives of 32 families living in the capital’s Chamkarmon district staged a protest yesterday in Tonle Bassac commune, pleading with Prime Minister Hun Sen to intervene on their behalf against the Thai Bun Roong company, which they say is forcing them to sell their land at below market value to make way for development.

Yesterday’s protest follows a letter that the residents, living on a parcel of land in Tonle Bassac commune known as T85, sent to Hun Sen last week. In that letter, dated October 12 and received by the Post yesterday, the villagers argue against a September Council of Ministers announcement demanding they either sell their land to the company for US$400 a square metre or resettle on company-provided lots in Dangkor district.

“The September 8 announcement from the Council of Ministers violates our rights by limiting the price we can sell our land for. This is contrary to your decision dated December 29, 2007,” the letter says.

4th bridge built with heavy loan from communist China

Construction on 4th Cambodia-China Friendship Bridge Begins in Cambodia

2011-07-06
Xinhua

Cambodia on Wednesday broke ground for the construction of the 4th Cambodia-China Friendship -- Takhmao Bridge, across Tonle Bassac River in order to ease traveling and to boost social and economic development.

The bridge, 855 meters long and 13.5 meters wide, is located about 13 kilometers southeast of the capital Phnom Penh. It connects National Road No. 2 in the west of the river to National Road No. 1 in the east of the river.

The ground-breaking ceremony was presided over by Prime Minister Hun Sen and Charge d'Affairs of Chinese Embassy to Cambodia He Leping. It was also attended by top government officials, diplomatic corps, some 10,000 local people and students.

When addressing the ceremony, the premier said the bridge is very essential to contribute to the country's economic development.

Kroma (Scarf) Dance performed by Bassac Children

Video by Uon Chhin, Radio Free Asia

Robam Ang-re dance

Performance: Bassac Children
With the support of Cambodian Living Arts
Video by Uon Chhin, RFA

Children of the Bassac - A multimedia presentation by Nicolas Axelrod

Children of the Bassac from Nicolas Axelrod on Vimeo.

‘Children of the Bassac’ is a group of young theatre performers from an impoverished Phnom Penh neighborhood. For 5 years now they have been performing their work at cultural and religious ceremonies as well as on local television. Specializing in traditional songs and dances, they have done shows in England, Scotland and Japan.

For additional videos about Cambodia, please visit:

http://nicolasaxelrod.wordpress.com/

River bank collapse near Russey Keo

A view of collapsed houses along the bank of the Basak river in Phnom Penh April 1, 2008. At least 40 houses were damaged by river bank erosion, police said. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
A Cambodian girl swims as she carries her goods from her house which collapsed along the bank of the Basak river in Phnom Penh April 1, 2008. At least 40 houses were damaged by river bank erosion, police said. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
A view of collapsed houses along the bank of the Basak river in Phnom Penh April 1, 2008. At least 40 houses were damaged by river bank erosion, police said. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

A rescue boat patrols the site of collapsed houses along the bank of the Basak river in Phnom Penh April 1, 2008. At least 40 houses were damaged by river bank erosion, police said. REUTERS/Chor SokuntheaCambodians carry their goods from houses which collapsed along the bank of Basak river in Phnom Penh April 1, 2008. At least 40 houses were damaged by river bank erosion, police said. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

People take goods from collapsed houses along the bank of Basak river onto a rescue boat in Phnom Penh April 1, 2008. At least 40 houses were damaged by river bank erosion, police said. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Cambodians sit on top of the roofs of houses which have collapsed along the bank of the Basak river in Phnom Penh April 1, 2008. At least 40 houses were damaged by river bank erosion, police said. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Cambodians look at houses which have collapsed along the bank of the Basak river in Phnom Penh April 1, 2008. At least 40 houses were damaged by river bank erosion, police said. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Nostalgia of Cambodia (Sronos Proleung Khmer)