Senate President Defends Phnom Penh Urban Development as Long-Term Vision for Capital Growth

PHNOM PENH, June 3, 2026 (KPT) — Senate President and Acting Head of State Samdech Techo Hun Sen on Tuesday defended the large-scale urban development projects reshaping Phnom Penh, describing the transformation of wetlands and underdeveloped zones as part of a long-term strategy for modernization and economic growth.

Speaking at the newly inaugurated headquarters of the General Department of Taxation in Chroy Changvar district, Hun Sen said developments in Boeung Kak, Boeung Tamok and Chroy Changvar reflected the government’s forward-looking urban planning vision.

“Without development, these areas would have remained neglected or environmentally degraded,” he said. “If Boeung Kak had not been developed, it would simply remain a sewage discharge area. At that time many people criticized me, but now they say it is beautiful.”

Samdech Techo Hun Sen pointed to Boeung Tamok’s rapid transformation from flooded land into a growing urban zone, while Chroy Changvar had evolved from marshland into a modern district capable of hosting major international events.

He noted that even Phnom Penh’s historic core was once flood-prone terrain gradually developed over decades, including during the reign of late King Norodom Sihanouk.

The Senate president said infrastructure expansion was essential to accommodate Cambodia’s economic growth and rising international profile. He announced that the new 30-storey tax headquarters, inaugurated in May, will host an international parliamentary and senate summit in August — a move officials see as symbolic of Cambodia’s modernization drive and expanding public administration capacity.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen also highlighted Cambodia’s improving fiscal performance, reporting that tax revenue collection rose more than 53 percent in the first five months of 2026. He dismissed speculation of financial difficulties, insisting the country maintains strong state revenues and economic stability. Cambodia collected about $6.77 billion in tax revenues in 2025, with the government targeting $3.8 billion in 2026 as part of broader fiscal reform efforts.