Hun Sen Urges Swift, Fair Resolution of Land Disputes in Ratanakiri

Senate President Hun Sen held a meeting with 785 local authorities from Ratanakiri Province on the morning of Wednesday, the 9th day of the waning moon of the month of Asadha, in the Year of the Dragon, the 8th year of the Sakaraj Era 2570, corresponding to July 8, 2026, in Banlung City. This event was part of his ongoing nationwide tour to engage with provincial, municipal, district, commune, and village leaders. This marks the 18th mission and the 21st province visited by Samdech Techo in his engagements with government officials and leaders across the country. His previous visits included Kampong Cham, Tbong Khmum, Kampong Speu, Takeo, Kampot, Kep, Svay Rieng, Prey Veng, Phnom Penh, Kampong Chhnang, Pursat, Kampong Thom, Kandal, Siem Reap, Oddar Meanchey, Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Pailin, Kratié, and Mondulkiri, culminating in Ratanakiri today. According to a report by H.E. Nhem Samoeun, Governor of Ratanakiri Province, the province is situated in northeastern Cambodia, approximately 588 kilometers from the capital, Phnom Penh. It covers a total area of 10,782 square kilometers, comprising one city, eight districts, 46 communes, and four sub-communes, with 243 villages. Ratanakiri borders Stung Treng Province to the west, Vietnam's Gia Lai and Quang Ngai provinces to the east, Laos' Attapeu Province to the north, and Mondulkiri Province to the south. The province features one international border gate: the O'Yadaw International Border Checkpoint. Under the leadership of successive governments, the province has experienced continuous development. Ratanakiri hosts nine large-scale factories, including five rubber processing plants, two banana processing plants, one combined rubber and fruit processing plant, and one cassava processing plant. The province also has companies operating in the mining sector, such as two gold mining companies, ten stone quarrying businesses, three construction stone businesses, and eight sand quarrying businesses for construction. H.E. Chea Thireth, a spokesperson for Samdech Techo, stated that the purpose of Samdech Techo's visit and meeting with administrative officials is to implement and strengthen accountability between the Senate and the electorate, ensuring transparency and promoting the effectiveness of grassroots work. It also aims to foster closer relationships with local authorities and remind local officials to enhance their dedication to their duties and the provision of public services to citizens. On this occasion, Samdech Techo Hun Sen expressed his pleasure at returning to meet with the administrative officials of Ratanakiri Province. He praised and highly valued the efforts of the provincial leadership, officials, and grassroots teams in their past work. Samdech Techo stated that this northeastern region province will become Cambodia's fourth significant economic pole, focusing on the agri-industry and mineral resource sectors. This economic pole will contribute to driving economic growth and achieving Cambodia's vision of becoming a high-income country by 2050. He reminded all officials, especially commune council members, to continue diligently fulfilling their roles and responsibilities in serving the nation and the people, particularly in providing necessary and essential services to citizens quickly, efficiently, and effectively. Samdech Techo also encouraged and supported the strengthening of tax revenue collection and customs, along with strict measures to prevent tax evasion or undeclared business activities to increase national revenue. Samdech Techo also recalled the importance for all officials to maintain national stability and focus on preserving social order and security, continuing the implementation of the "Safe Village-Commune" policy, which includes cracking down on various crimes such as robbery, armed robbery, drug trafficking, and technological offenses. Samdech Techo also urged authorities at all levels to continue paying attention to former soldiers and retirees, recognizing their significant contributions to national development. He stressed the importance of caring for them through visits and organizing events to prevent them from feeling isolated. Samdech Techo further reminded and advised authorities and relevant institutions to pay close attention to the well-being and living conditions of fallen soldiers, disabled soldiers, and their families. He emphasized that the management and care of veterans should be thorough, encouraging their children to receive higher education and become intellectuals to repay their immense contributions to the nation. Samdech Techo also advised authorities to pay close attention to resolving land disputes for citizens promptly and effectively, particularly emphasizing out-of-court settlements without bias towards any party. Samdech Techo also appealed to authorities at all levels to strengthen the protection, conservation, and prevention of all natural resource crimes. Samdech Techo reminded all officials to focus on grassroots work and avoid disappointing the people, reminding them that officials are not masters of the people. Samdech Techo further instructed the Ratanakiri provincial authorities to enhance border cooperation with Vietnam and Laos, ensuring that the borders of the three countries remain borders of peace and cooperation, especially to promote better economic and trade relations between them. Finally, Samdech Techo Hun Sen praised officials at all levels in Ratanakiri Province for their collaborative efforts in developing the province and wished all civil servants happiness and prosperity. Copyright: Sothly