;-(

Cambodia cancels Water Festival for 3rd consecutive year

Cambodia on Friday decided to cancel the annual Water Festival, scheduled from Nov. 7 to 9 in the capital Phnom Penh, according to a government’s press statement.

This was the third consecutive year that the kingdom called off the premier event in Phnom Penh. However, provincial authorities could organize boat races in their respective localities on that occasion, the statement added.

https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501148286/ ... 9VeP5eQX2Y

The one and only one i attended
2008
https://phuket.zenfolio.com/p558704214

This Year’s Water Festival Postponed at National Level
AKP Phnom Penh, September 09, 2022 -- The Royal Government of Cambodia has decided to postpone the annual Water Festival, scheduled from Nov. 7 to 9, 2022, at the national level.

The decision was highlighted in a press release on the outcomes of the plenary cabinet meeting held here this morning under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HE.

Anyway, the Water Festival celebrations can be organised at local level for entertainment and tourism purposes, underlined the press release issued this evening.

The annual festival was also postponed in 2020 and 2021 in order to contain and prevent the COVID-19 spread.

The three-day Water Festival is one of the most joyful festivals in Cambodia. People across the country flock to Phnom Penh capital to enjoy the festival’s three main events: boat racing, Loy Pratip (the display of decorative lighted boats from different public institutions), Sampeas Preah Khe (Moon Festival) and Ok Ambok (a type of glutinous rice roasted and crushed with pestle eaten with banana or coconut juice).
C. Nika
AKP

Water Festival Races will be Held Elsewhere in Cambodia

Cambodia News, (Kandal province): Kandal Provincial Administration has announced that in the spirit of preserving good traditions and to create a happy atmosphere for the public, people have fun under the cool shade of peace, Kandal Provincial Administration has decided to organize a boat race in Riverside Bassac, Takhmao City, Kandal Province for 2 days, on October 22-23, 2022.

The announcement of the Kandal Provincial Administration states that during the two days of the Water Festival, there will also be concerts by the Khmer Artists Association and exhibitions of local products, as well as fireworks display at The evening of October 23, 2022 as well.


Please be reminded that in the plenary meeting of the Council of Ministers on Friday, September 9, 2022, Samdech Techo HE announced that the Royal Government has decided to suspend the Royal Water Festival at the national level in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. However, in the provinces, they can organize the Water Festival as much as possible.

In the proclamation, the Royal Government did not specify the reasons leading to the decision to suspend this year's Royal Water Festival, which should be held on November 7-9, 2022. However, according to the planned program, the Royal Government of Cambodia, as the chair of ASEAN, will hold the ASEAN Summit and related meetings for three days on November 10-13, 2022.
- Kohsantepheap

3 Day Moon and Water Festival in Pursat
Cambodia News, (Pursat Province): Pursat Provincial Administration has announced the organization of a three-day Water Festival, with boat races, floating lanterns and worshiping the moon from October 16 to 18, 2022, in Pursat Province.

According to the announcement, the water festival, with floating lanterns and worshiping the moon god, Ok Ambok, which is planned to be held over 3 days, will include programs such as boat races, a floating lantern festival, and moon worship, which is a good tradition from ancient times, as well as a number of events such as exhibitions, art shows, contemporary concerts and fireworks at night.

Did they give a reason?

Maybe they are still worried about Covid and the paranoid middle classes don't want the hoi polloi swarming their streets for a week.

Doc67 wrote: ↑Sat Sep 10, 2022 1:29 pm Did they give a reason?

Maybe they are still worried about Covid and the paranoid middle classes don't want the hoi polloi swarming their streets for a week.

Possibly concerns about security in Phnom Penh with the ASEAN summit ?

"In the proclamation, the Royal Government did not specify the reasons leading to the decision to suspend this year's Royal Water Festival, which should be held on November 7-9, 2022. However, according to the planned program, the Royal Government of Cambodia, as the chair of ASEAN, will hold the ASEAN Summit and related meetings for three days on November 10-13, 2022."
- Kohsantepheap

Username Taken wrote: ↑Sat Sep 10, 2022 1:34 pm

Doc67 wrote: ↑Sat Sep 10, 2022 1:29 pm Did they give a reason?

Maybe they are still worried about Covid and the paranoid middle classes don't want the hoi polloi swarming their streets for a week.

Maybe they've been under-reporting covid and don't want the cat out of the bag.

I think 'under-counting' is a more accurate phrase. If they don't count, they can't report.

CEOCambodiaNews wrote: ↑Sat Sep 10, 2022 1:32 pm

Doc67 wrote: ↑Sat Sep 10, 2022 1:29 pm Did they give a reason?

Maybe they are still worried about Covid and the paranoid middle classes don't want the hoi polloi swarming their streets for a week.

Possibly concerns about security in Phnom Penh with the ASEAN summit ?

"In the proclamation, the Royal Government did not specify the reasons leading to the decision to suspend this year's Royal Water Festival, which should be held on November 7-9, 2022. However, according to the planned program, the Royal Government of Cambodia, as the chair of ASEAN, will hold the ASEAN Summit and related meetings for three days on November 10-13, 2022."
- Kohsantepheap

They just had a summit. Anyway, more summits mean more relaying of roads to impress the visitors.

It's been cancelled far more times than it hasn't since 2010