Freedom Park opens to hold future protest

Cambodia is building a small park to accommodate demonstrators, but would-be protesters claim it is a means to kill off dissent by keeping them from government offices.

Democracy Square is 70 per cent complete and should be finished by the end of September, said Sam Samuth, chief of Phnom Penh's Municipal garden bureau.

The 200ft by 650ft site is close to Wat Phnom, a Buddhist temple that marks the city's centre but is not near any major government offices, such as the National Assembly.

Rong Chhun, president of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions said the purpose of Freedom Park was to muffle protests.

"I think the location is not the right place for demonstrators to show their concern. I, and other protesters, would not stage a demonstration at a place where no one will be heard," he said.