On 19 July 2024, a local leader of the group Independent Democracy of Informal Economy Association (IDEA) in Cambodia was arrested and charged or conducting “activities causing misapprehension with the discharge of public functions”. He faces up to three years in prison.

Chantha attended a workshop a few days previous to his detention discussing climate change and social protections in Bavet, Svay Rieng. Later, he met with workers and discussed the NSSF, a government social service, when police arrested him.