Cambodia News(Phnom Penh): On 24 June 2022, following a Sub-Decree by the Cambodian government, it was announced that the area surrounding Tonle Bati Lake will be divided into two parts, with one part to be kept as state property, and the other part for private development. The Sub-Decree was originally issued on March 2, 2022, but was only published in the media during June 2022.

Approximately 97 hectares of the total area are to be preserved as state public land, while more than 222 hectares will be converted to state private property.
The 97 hectares of Tonle Bati Lake which were designated as state public property covers two geographical areas: approximately 57 hectares in Bati District, Keo Province, and more than 39 hectares in Kandal Steung district, Kandal Province.
Meanwhile, more than 222 hectares of land around the Tonle Bati Lake have been reclassified from state public property to state private property; this includes more than 116 hectares located in Bati District, Takeo Province, and more than 106 hectares located in Kandal Steung District, Kandal Province.

The above sub-decree does not specify which parts of the 222 hectares of land has been converted into state private property, nor which parts should be given to whom, or for what prupose. However, the map of the Tonle Bati area attached to the sub-decree shows that more than 222 hectares have been requested by Srun Bunleap for development. The head of government therefore issued a sub-decree on the division of the Tonle Bati area into two parts at the request of the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, with Deputy Prime Minister Chea Sophara.

Brief explanation of State Public Property vs State Private Property
There are two types of state property: state public property and state private property.
According to Cambodian law, public property of the state must first be converted into private property of the state, if the government wishes to exchange or sell state land or hand it over to any person.
Therefore, it seems likely that the Sub-Decree converting 222 hectares around Tonle Bati to state private property, is a first step preparing the way for the sale of the land to a private developer, as mentioned above.

Bati district seems to be getting chopped up rapidly, first the forests around Phnom Tamao and now this. Well done chaps.

If only the money generated would be put up for a good cause. Not one dolla will go into poor mans pockets.