Does that yellow flag say 'DOH!' in Khmer?

I was out there today as well after cancelling my travel plans. Definitely VERY thin crowds. As in, almost empty (for the Water Festival). But almost empty means really nice here. The whole riverside was closed off and foot traffic was really light. I had no trouble going all the way up to the riverside and walking along it for two hours or so. Even during the final races crowds were at a minimum. The heaviest part was in front of the palace, but even that was light. Brisk walking possible everywhere and easy to get a good front row seat. Judging from SEATV, it seems additional crowds have gathered at the moment, but it's still "light". Some years it's chock full of people for two blocks south of the riverside. This was great "leisurely walking". Never felt anyone was "in my space", but enough people to make it interesting.

I figure a lot of the villagers are scared of ghosts/generally afraid of what could happen again (lack of organization). Might take another year or two before the crowds gather again. The very recent fireworks death probably didn't help bolster faith in the organizers either...

A gas can exploded, scaring the shit out of people.

General Mackevili wrote:A gas can exploded, scaring the shit out of people.

Bang

Look at the state of the can - no wonder the thing exploded.

I've seen some for sale at shops that are so badly rusted; accident waiting to happen.

Joker Poker wrote:Look at the state of the can - no wonder the thing exploded.

I've seen some for sale at shops that are so badly rusted; accident waiting to happen.

No worse than a moto or car accident.
You wont want to see the rest of the burns to the body.

Some pics from the Water Festival:

Username Taken wrote:What were the Water Festival crowds like today/evening/tonight? Anyone!

In my assessment there were more people every day. Slightly more midday and a lot more after dark. And the spirit and enthusiasm of the crowd grew with each day as well. Still not up to past years, but as the festival went on, people clearly became more relaxed, and started coming in greater numbers and participating more fully. I was talking to one drink vendor, selling cold drinks out of two eskies. She said the first day was bad, profit only $28. Second day she made $51 and today she made more the $150. And I didn't see it myself, but I hear traffic was a mess this evening between 10PM and 11PM as people tried to leave the area, which was apparently the first proper traffic jams of the festival.