New Governor Promises to Solve Land Disputes

Phnom Penh’s new governor used his swearing-in ceremony on Friday to boldly vow to solve some of the municipality’s longest-running and most high-emotive land disputes.

Pa Socheatvong officially took over on Friday from outgoing governor Kep Chuktema, who served as the city’s chief for 10 years and whose administration will likely be best remembered for the widely unpopular filling in of Boeng Kak lake and the violent land evictions there and at the Borei Keila community, whose landless residents continue to protest regularly in Phnom Penh.