There has been an announcement that balloons and balloon sellers are to be banned in certain areas of Phnom Penh because they risk affecting "public order" with explosions which may cause stampedes. There has been no mention of hand grenades.

Terrorism, Stampede Fears Prompt Crackdown on Balloons
by Phan Soumy | September 7, 2016 | អានជាភាសាខ្មែរ

Authorities in Phnom Penh have decided to take aim at the centerpiece of many a child’s birthday party or afternoon outing.
Expressing concerns about the potential for helium tanks to explode and burn, injuring passersby—helium is inert and non-combustible—Daun Penh governor Kuoch Chamroeun said vendors in the district would no longer be allowed to sell balloons in areas popular among tourists, including around Independence Monument, the Royal Palace and the riverside.

The annoucement came two days after four balloon sellers were arrested alongside activists protesting for the release of jailed anti-eviction campaigner Tep Vanny, although officials said the order was unrelated to the arrests.

Balloon sellers near Independence Monument said they were given an entirely different reason for the ban: the potential for terrorism.

In a video of Mr. Chamroeun speaking to reporters on Tuesday morning, he says the helium tanks used by balloon vendors could explode and cause stampedes.

The tanks “will cause explosions that will frighten people,” he said. “This would cause a stampede and the gas explosion would burn and injure others.”

City Hall spokesman Mean Chanyada echoed the concerns, saying the balloon sellers affect “public order.” While conceding that the vendors were not flouting any particular law, he said authorities were attempting to beautify open areas while keeping them safe...
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/terr ... ns-117691/

The latest explanation for the vendor crackdown is that it is to protect tourists ... from balloons, fried insects and also popcorn according to today's PPP article on the subject:

Vendor crackdown underway in Phnom Penh
Wed, 7 September 2016
Kong Meta and Andrew Nachemson

Vendors are no longer allowed to sell on the capital’s busier thoroughfares, like those near the Royal Palace and Independence Monument, according to statements by Daun Penh District Governor Kouch Chamroeun yesterday.

In interviews with local TV channels posted on the official Daun Penh district Facebook page, Chamroeun said that the vendors create traffic congestion, especially in areas near tourist attractions. He also warned that gas tanks used by balloon vendors could explode, “causing accidents affecting tourists”.

As a solution, he suggested moving the vendors to other less busy locations, and maintained that police were not fining them.

“If it were Pol Pot, he’d have his own way of dealing with such a thing,” he said, in reference to repeat offenders.

However, his claims of foregoing fines were contradicted by multiple vendors yesterday.

Yart Thim, a 24-year-old who sells fried insects in front of the Royal Palace, said that the police had fined and detained him for the entire day multiple times. The fines ranged from $5 to $10, though Thim says he made about $50 to $100 a day.

“This is a convenient place where many drivers can stop and buy,” he said, explaining why he didn’t want to move.

To Chantha, a 29-year-old balloon vendor, claimed he was attacked by police with an electric baton. Chantha said police then took his money as well as his products...

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/v ... phnom-penh