Valentine's Day is coming up, and with it come the annual warnings to Cambodian youth to avoid "sexual escapades". The global day of love and lovers has become anti-sex day in Cambodia, with strict morality warnings to young people.

Anti-Valentine’s Day warning issued
8 February 2018
The Ministry of Education has instructed all public and private institutions to take measures to prevent immorality on Valentine’s Day next week, as some students have mistaken ideas about the Western holiday.

Education Minister Hang Chuon Naron issued a notice on Tuesday saying that Valentine’s Day had a stronger influence in the country, making some youths forget to study, lose their reputation and that of their family, and engage in activities contrary to Cambodian culture and tradition.

He advised all education institutions to inform their students about the meaning of the day, strengthen the implementation of internal rules on morality, and work to maintain regular student attendance.

Vannak Farady, a private school student in Phnom Penh, expressed support for the ministry’s notice, saying February 14 was not a day for lovers, but a day you could express affection to your parents, guardians, relatives, teachers, spouses, friends or other loved ones.
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/50107111/an ... ng-issued/

Make sport, not love.

Run For Love sees surge in runners
9 February 2018
Run For Love, an annual running event now in its fifth year and which coincides with Valentine’s Day, will see a record number of runners competing in Sunday’s event.

According to secretary-general at the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia Vath Chamroeun, participation in athletics continues to grow in popularity as 3,428 budding athletes have stated their intention to run a 3 kilometre and 5 kilometre race for charity around Koh Pich.

“More than 3,000 runners have registered their interest this year so this is an improvement of around 50 percent from last year, he said.

At last year’s event speakers appealed to young adults to use the day to celebrate family and friends rather than for sexual escapades. “Youth should not use the day to go out for sexual misconduct,” said Sun Sothy, a Phnom Penh municipal transport department official.
“They should choose other activities on that day such as playing sports.”
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/50107255/ru ... e-runners/

The competent authorities will need to keep a close eye on cheap guesthouses on Valentine's Day to make sure that no young couples "engage in activities contrary to Cambodian culture and tradition".

It sounds like a job for the used condom police.

Just a friendly reminder. Traffic jams are an absolute nightmare in PP every Feb 14th during the evening. Stay away!

I'm pretty sure young people will generally attempt to have sex on any day with a y in it, not just Valentine's day. Ash Wednesday this year, so maybe a lot of frustrated catholics, too.

Haha yeah, I think you're right about that!