Introduction 

📌 Concerns and Issues of Four Communities: Boeng Chang and Boeng Prang Fishing, Kbal Khlor Forest, and Skor Kroch Forest
🗓️ June 25, 2025 | Sandan District​ Hall, Kampong Thom 

The Advocacy and Policy Institute (API) organized a community dialogue in Sandan District to address citizens’ concerns and community issues, promoting civic engagement through the “Pidor Facebook Chatbot” platform. The meeting brought together district officials, commune chiefs, police post heads, office heads, commune council members, and representatives from four communities to discuss their key challenges.   

Key Issues Raised by the Communities and Responses from Local Authorities

🐟 Boeng Cheang and Boeng Prang Fishing Communities:

• •  Issue: Request for the restoration of the community lake.
  • Response: The Deputy District Governor advised the community to identify and manage households engaged in rice farming in the area and to collaborate with technical officers. He committed to working with relevant organizations and private companies to restore the lake and explore options for providing water services to the community.

🌳 Kbal Khla Community Forestry:

• • Issue: Ongoing illegal logging, land encroachment, and the use of modified firearms for wildlife hunting.
  • Response: The Police Chief and Deputy District Governor urged the community to report any incidents involving modified firearms directly to the competent authorities for legal action. Regarding deforestation and land encroachment, the Deputy Governor encouraged the timely reporting of incidents during patrols to facilitate collaboration with forestry officials and law enforcement in suppressing these crimes.

🛖 Chom Thlok Community Forestry

• • Issue: A private company, although officially registered with the ministry, has encroached on land that has been long occupied by indigenous residents (not community land).
  • Response: The Deputy District Governor requested follow-up on the status of the complaint documents to facilitate appropriate intervention and resolution.

🌲 Skor Krouch Community Forestry

• • Issue: Request to reopen an old access road to the community that neighboring residents have blocked.
  • Response: The Deputy District Governor instructed the commune to coordinate with relevant technical officials to resolve the issue and reopen the road.

Citizen Feedback via “Smart Villager Board” (PIDOR Neak Phum Chhlat Vey)