house
© AFP

A Cambodian couple hoping to avoid the country's convoluted divorce process have separated by sawing their house in half, local authorities said Thursday.

Husband Moeun Rim and wife Nhanh divided their house, some 90 kilometers (56 miles) northeast of the capital Phnom Penh, into two parts last month after deciding to separate, Cheach commune chief Vorng Morn told AFP by telephone.

"They agreed to split the house into two parts. The part that belongs to the husband has been removed, but the one that belongs to the wife is standing upright there. She stays there during the daytime," Vorng Morn said.

He said the couple, who are both around 40, decided to split after the husband accused the wife of not taking care of him when he was ill.

He added they divided their land into four parts; two for their son and daughter, and two for them.

Divorce cases generally take a long time to settle in Cambodia, which is routinely criticised as having a corrupt legal system.