Walking the Streets Near the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh plans to open a walking street along the riverfront at the end of January 2025, where small local businesses expect to earn more from tourists but have requested the government to prepare a proper space for them.

Phnom Penh Governor Khuong Sreng told Kiripost on January 6, 2025 that the governor plans to open a Phnom Penh Pedestrian Street Project, or walking street, along the riverfront, stretching from the Post Office to the Royal Palace, at the end of January 2025.

Part of the project aims to transform the area into a tourist destination. The 57-hectare project will include food and shopping areas, a cultural and creative zone, green spaces, and will be open exclusively for pedestrians from Friday to Sunday, between 6pm and 11pm.

“We close the zone three days per week [to traffic], from Friday evening until Sunday, and will open [to traffic] on Monday morning,” the Governor said.

He added that the launch of the walking street will take place at the end of the month, but the development has not been completed yet and will be done along the way.

“We are not ready yet, we are just working for people to get into the habit of walking and closing the traffic to prevent cars from entering the area,” he said, explaining that around the area all transportation will be blocked, including bicycles and cyclos.

Nhek Phalla, 27, a snail seller near the Royal Palace, told Kiripost that he is excited to hear about the project and expects an increase in sales as it will bring more tourists who will walk, buy more food and engage more with sellers, unlike when they simply drive through.

Phalla has been selling snails for more than five years, starting from 2pm until 4am, earning around $20 per day. He expects to make more money after the project begins.

“I am happy because when people are walking, they will buy more. When they drive, they don’t really buy anything. When they walk, they will engage with the food sellers, and sales will also increase,” he added.

However, Phalla requested the government to properly and fairly prepare a space for sellers, making it easier for them to sell from a booth, as he currently sells from his moving cart, going from one place to another. “When I’m moving, it’s difficult for customers to find me."

Another street food seller, who only gave the name of Sekla, who sells fried rice and noodles, said that he is waiting to see the actual results in terms of tourist numbers, which will increase if the preparation is done well.

“It depends on the preparation by the district governor. If there are more tourists and the governor prepares proper locations for us to sell, I think it will be good,” he added.

Sekla mentioned that a few years ago he earned around $100 to $120, but now he barely earns $75 a day, not yet accounting for expenses.

Regarding the business growth, Sreng said that currently the importance is to create a safe space for people to walk, and helping local businesses grow is another step to see the possibilities.

“The way we can prepare accordingly. The point of helping [local businesses] is that we want to help, but we need to see the possibilities of how we can help,” he added.