Kralan vendor on National Road 6 in Siem Reap province’s Sotr Nikum district. Heng Chivoan
Sotr Nikum district authorities in Siem Reap province are warning bamboo sticky rice, also known as kralan, vendors along National Road 6 that they will be banned from selling there if they do not maintain a hygienic environment.
District governor Mok Bros said the authorities had facilitated the operation of businesses along that route and had given them instructions on good hygienic practices.
He said these practices will improve the quality of their products and the district has provided attractively built stalls to help draw tourists.
However, Bros said, those who do not practice proper sanitation will be banned from selling there so as not to ruin the pleasant environment for others.
“I will surely put them out of business if they do not take care of the environment and leave garbage bags lying around. I will also not allow selling in any area that is surrounded by forest,” he said.
Bros said the authorities had set up a proper place for the sale of kralan that has convenient parking for those making purchases.
“I set it up for them at least 4m from the sidewalk so that cars and motorcycles can stop and still avoid causing any accidents to occur,” he said.
Trapaing Thom commune chief Soy Seiha said the business of selling kralan was originally done by people from Khchas village in Sotr Nikum’s Khchas commune.
However, he said, later on the business expanded along the road into the territory of Trapeang Thom commune of Prasat Bakong district.
He said that is why the Trapeang Thom commune authorities arranged for people to sell kralan at a specifically designated place.
“People sell all the way over on our side so it causes problems for public order in my area such as traffic accidents and students travelling up and down. [People] park cars along the road to buy kralan which causes many accidents. That is why I decided to send them back to their own territory,” Seiha said.
Seiha pointed out that he had asked some vendors to return to their original communes to sell kralan because he intended to maintain the brand name of One Village One Product for people in his commune. He said the other reason is for the safety of everyone.
Kim Samnang, a kralan vendor along the road, supported the move.
“They allowed us to sell there but we just need to burn all our rubbish without leaving any mess there. And we also need to move 4m from the road, too. They require that we buy a stall made from steel to make things look tidy. We are not allowed to use umbrellas near the road, either. We can put it behind or on the side of the stall,” he said.
