Preah Sihanouk provincial administration officials have vowed to act against operators of more than 100 unauthorised stores and carts in the town after they were accused of affecting the environment, public order and space.

Lim Pheaktrey, a municipal hall official in charge of public administration and environment officials have told the vendors that they are not allowed to sell merchandise on the streets.

Pheaktrey said: “By order of the Preah Sihanouk Provincial Administration, there must be urgent action from June 17, to stop such anarchist trade. If they don’t follow orders, we will confiscate the carts and materials and keep them temporarily at the provincial hall.”

He said the vendors have had an impact on the public and tourists because they don’t dispose of rubbish properly and have poor sanitation practices.

On Wednesday, about 40 vendors protested at the provincial hall in response to the new measures, but Pheaktrey said the administration would not be deterred.

Provincial hall spokesman Kheang Phearum said: “Measures to maintain order and hygiene in the city are implemented regularly. We are not singling out street sellers.”

Provincial coordinator for rights group Adhoc, Cheap Sotheary, said the protest in front of the city hall did not provoke a response from the administration.

“I think the authorities should consider a suitable place for them to sell so they can support themselves. They are poor and their lives depend on selling their wares,” she said.

Sotheary said many citizens lost their jobs due to Covid-19 and set up carts to sell their wares because they cannot afford to rent a location in the province. The provincial administration should create measures to help them, she said.