Hun Manet Backs ‘Walk Streets’ to Boost Tourism and Wellbeing

MoT

Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet is championing the development of pedestrian-friendly "Walk Streets" across the country, calling them key to boosting tourism and improving public life.

Speaking on Monday at the inauguration of the Morodok Techo Flyover in Phnom Penh, Hun Manet urged local governments to expand efforts in creating vibrant pedestrian zones that double as community hubs and tourist attractions.

“Our citizens are going out more, and I encourage all provinces and cities to prepare Walk Streets where people can have fun and exercise,” he said. “This is part of developing our cities and improving people’s wellbeing.”

The initiative, which promotes dedicated areas for walking, street food, and cultural activities, is already gaining traction. Cities are reportedly competing to create more inviting public spaces, and the Prime Minister praised those efforts, noting particularly the progress in Preah Sihanouk province.

In a further show of commitment, he announced that 70 hectares in Phnom Penh’s Tomnup Kob Srov area will be designated for a new public park — a move intended to offer both leisure and green space to urban residents.

The capital's flagship project, the riverside Walking Street, has already launched weekend events from 6PM to 11PM along Sisowath Avenue. Due to positive public response, it will run daily from April 12 to 16, coinciding with Khmer New Year festivities.

Adding a touch of personal endorsement, Cambodia’s First Lady Pich Chanmony visited the Walk Street over the weekend, sampling street food and mingling with locals. “It made me nostalgic for childhood,” she posted on social media. “I really want to come again with my idol, Prime Minister Hun Manet.”

As the country positions itself for a post-pandemic tourism revival, Walk Streets may become a defining feature of Cambodia’s urban future — blending culture, community, and economic opportunity in a single stride.

-2025-04-08