Cambodia's Sand for Sale

Vietnamese boats used by a local company to dredge sand from a 42 hectare area in Teuk Chhou district.

Amid villagers' protests, MP Mu Sochua's requested clarification from the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy which authorized a local company to dredge sand to be sold outside of Cambodia, Kampot local authorities ordered a temporary suspension of the dredging operations. The company which used Vietnamese boats for its operations along the Kampot river, was allowed to dredge in a 42-hectare area despite the 2009 ban of exportation of sand by the Prime Minister.

The heavy dredging operations have caused visible collapse of the river bank and a threat to the villagers' live hoods and the growth of the famous chak or water palms of Kampot.