they pay an exemption around $150 for non compliance

nope, depends on signboard / banner size, or how much money they perceive u hv

they wanted 150 from me
i just took the sign down and said chumreap lear
no worries mate

UPDATE: The new governor of Sihanoukville is enforcing the law on signs in the town. Advertising commercial signs that are displayed in a foreign language should also be written in (correct) Khmer, which should be written above the second language.

Preah Sihanouk governor cracks down on illegal signage
30 July 2019

New Preah Sihanouk provincial governor Kuoch Chamroeun has launched an immediate clampdown on signage that fails to comply with Cambodian laws and regulations and foreign business owners who do not have proper documentation to run enterprises in the Kingdom.

Preah Sihanouk provincial spokesman Kheang Phearum told The Post that as of Monday, July 29, all signage using the wrong words, incorrect spelling or which is only written in a foreign language will be removed.

He said businesses and institutions that display such signs will be temporarily shut down if the owners are not willing to rectify the mistakes after being warned by government officials.

“In the past, the authority informed the owners of institutions and businesses to correct the wording and content of their advertisements and signs, but now we will take strict action by closing businesses temporarily until the owners comply with the rules and regulations.

“Foreign business owners who are found not to have proper documentation to operate in Cambodia will be summoned to the police headquarters or the immigration police office and be required to apply for legal permission before reopening their businesses,” Phearum said.

He said the stricter enforcement of the law was the policy of new provincial governor Kuoch Chamroeun.

“It is aimed at improving the management of businesses and institutions in the province as well as controlling the immigrant population who work and run businesses here.

“In the past, government specialists have discovered several enterprises using the wrong words, misspellings, poor use of Khmer literature and signs that are written only in a foreign language, without any Khmer words.

“This often happens because business owners rely only on Google Translate and don’t consult anyone to correct mistakes,” Phearum said.

Preah Sihanouk provincial Department of Culture and Fine Arts director Deth No told The Post that his team was currently inspecting businesses, removing misspelt signs and ordering owners to correct their signage.
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/ ... al-signage