via AFP/ The Star, 11 February 2023: The evictions are meant to to protect the ancient ruins and give them a new settlement away from the temple areas that have poor sanitation and infrastructure, but the evictees fear the loss of livelihood and lifestyle.
ON a white canvas, Chan Vichet painted an image of the Hindu deity Shiva, oblivious to the clanging sound of Cambodian soldiers loading the remnants of his neighbour’s demolished home onto a truck.
The artist has worked on the fringe of the Angkor Wat temple complex for seven years, making a living selling paintings inspired by the jungle and ancient ruins to tourists.Now his home and gallery will be flattened as the Cambodian government clears 10,000 families living within the sprawling Unesco world heritage site, and many of those facing eviction are unhappy.
“Since I heard about the relocation plan, I have felt numb,” Chan Vichet said. “I have to force myself to work to fund my family’s livelihood, but I don’t have full concentration or creativity.”
Source: Angkor Wat protection plan gets villagers evicted | The Star
