Some residents and businesses along the Royal Palace area have raised concerns about noise pollution from concerts and public events. One side argues that the noise disturbs residents’ sleep, daily life, and well-being. The other side says residents should compromise because these events help generate economic activity.
Both sides have reasons. Concerts and social events can attract visitors, support vendors, and create a lively city atmosphere. However, asking residents simply to “accept the noise for the economy” reflects a classic public policy dilemma: negative externalities.
In economic terms, concert organizers, vendors, and attendees receive the immediate benefits, while nearby residents bear the social cost through stress, lost sleep, and lower quality of life. The question is not whether Phnom Penh should allow concerts or not. The real question is how the city can support economic activity while protecting residents and nearby businesses that need quiet environments, such as hotels, hospitals, and offices.
According to the World Health Organization, prolonged exposure to loud noise can affect both physical and psychological health. Chronic noise can trigger stress responses in the body and may contribute to high blood pressure, hypertension, and other health risks. Therefore, excessive noise is not only a lifestyle complaint but also a public health concern.
Phnom Penh is not the first place to face this issue. Similar problems have appeared in Siem Reap, where loud concerts, rooftop DJs, pubs, and heavy sound systems affected hospitals and major hotels. Some hotel guests reportedly complained, while others decided to leave earlier than planned. This shows that although entertainment events can support tourism, uncontrolled noise can also damage tourism and suffer some businesses .
Cambodia already has a legal framework for this issue. Under Sub-Decree No. 42 ANRK.BK on Air Pollution Control and Noise Disturbance, the state aims to protect public health and environmental quality from air and noise pollution. For concerts, loudspeakers, parties, weddings, festivals, night events, and other social activities, the most relevant part is Annex 6, which sets the maximum permitted noise level in public and residential areas.
The standard applies to any activity that emits noise into public or residential areas. In commercial, service, and mixed areas, the sound limit is 65 dB from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. In residential areas, including hotels, offices, and houses, the cap is 50 dB. The Royal Palace area is complicated because tourism, commercial, and residential spaces are mixed together. This makes noise management become complicated and difficult to solve.
Some residents have claimed that noise levels reached around 80–90 dB, far above the legal standard. If accurate, this is not just a matter of discomfort but possible non-compliance with existing regulation.
Responsibility should not fall only on Phnom Penh Municipality. The Ministry of Environment also has a role in monitoring noise from fixed sources such as venues, event sites, factories, and construction areas. If noise exceeds the legal standard, the Ministry can order the responsible party to correct the violation or temporarily stop the activity. In this regard, the Ministry of Environment should take a more proactive role in addressing noise pollution, ensuring regulatory compliance, and protecting environmental quality.
The solution is not to ban concerts. Phnom Penh needs public events and economic activity. But growth should not come at the cost of public health and sacrifice other businesses. A better balance requires clearer time limits, sound monitoring, better speaker direction, and stronger coordination between organizers, authorities, residents, hotels, and hospitals.