Siem Reap governor orders demolition of legally unapproved buildings

The Siem Reap governor has ordered the demolition of any building that was not approved by the law, even it is 50% completed, to improve the quality of construction and meet technical standards.

Siem Reap Deputy Governor H.E. Tea Seiha made the announcement on 4 March 2020 during the 2019 Final Annual Review Conference and the 2020 Continuing Direction of the Siem Reap Provincial Hall.

“For the buildings that have been under construction in 2018-2019, the provincial authorities will review the quality and technical standard compliance of the building. The authorities will issue a permit to proceed only for the buildings that comply with technical standards and legal requirements,” said H.E Tea Seiha.

“From 2020 onward, any building that was built before the approval of the law will be demolished, even it is 30% or 50% completed.”, he added.

He explained that the reason for this order is to improve the quality of construction and construction standards because in the past some of the structures were built on land, roads, and on the land of public roads, and some other buildings did not meet technical standards.

The issue of construction quality is especially important in Siem Reap given the collapse of an under-construction pagoda dining hall on 2 December 2, 2019, and an eating hall killing three people and injuring at least 20. (Read more)

 

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