Phnom Penh is taking peddlers and beggars off its streets in an attempt to improve its image ahead of the Asean summit to be held from Nov 18-20.
According to the Phnom Penh Post, Municipal Hall spokesman Long Dimanche announced on Friday that street vendors and beggars would be "collected" and taken to the Prey Speu social affairs centre, a type of detention facility, for the duration of the summit.
The action is necessary to make a good impression on visiting delegations and world leaders, particularly US President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin, said the spokesman.
"If the leaders from across Asean and the world see beggars and children on the street, they might speak negatively to the government," said Dimanche.
The move is also aimed at stepping up security in the city, he added.
David Harding, deputy director of the NGO Friends International, said that such actions had become more common for host nations preparing for big international events.
However, he expressed concern about the living conditions at the facility, saying: "These places are not adequate for people to live in a humane way."
Some NGOs are working with the government in an attempt to come up with alternative solutions for looking after street people.