Sihanoukville admin.

 

 

Authorities in Sihanoukville have issued a firm 15-day deadline for residents living near the international airport runway to relocate, as part of a long-delayed expansion project. The move marks a decisive step in transforming the coastal city into a multi-purpose special economic zone.

 

The relocation order, announced on 2 September, affects families occupying state-owned land adjacent to Sihanoukville International Airport. Officials say the land is needed to advance the airport’s 4E-class upgrade, a strategic development aimed at boosting regional connectivity and investment.

 

The plan stems from a 2020 directive by Cambodia’s Council of Ministers, which authorised the Ministry of Environment, the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, and provincial authorities to allocate new plots for affected households. Infrastructure at the relocation site—including roads, water supply, and electricity—has already been prepared.

 

While some families have accepted the offer and begun moving, others continue to resist, demanding alternative terms. This resistance has stalled progress on the airport development, prompting officials to take a firmer stance.

 

“In the past, the working group of the Sihanoukville Provincial Administration, together with the inter-ministerial committee, has made repeated efforts to hold meetings and coordinate with the people,” the administration stated.

 

Authorities now warn that after the 15-day window closes, they will no longer entertain negotiations. Any remaining unauthorised structures will be dismantled in accordance with legal procedures.

 

The airport expansion is seen as a cornerstone of Sihanoukville’s broader economic ambitions. But the tension between development and displacement continues to test the government’s ability to balance infrastructure growth with community concerns.

 

As the deadline looms, the spotlight turns to how swiftly—and peacefully—this relocation will unfold.

 

 

-2025-09-02

Another Chinese funded airport in Cambodia ?  Was really surprised by the size and location of the new Siem Reap airport when I traveled there last year. It seemed they were using about 10% of the airport’s capacity and so far away from tourist area.