hanno wrote: ↑Tue Nov 28, 2023 10:19 am I had attended the Water Festival in Siem Reap a few times but never in Phnom Penh. I am not big on crowds but I figured that I had to check it out. Walking from the Hotel Cambodiana wasn't too bad at first, but once I reached Chaktomuk conference hall, things got a little busy. I did see of the racing boats sink, but rescue was there in no time. There was no chance of actually seeing the races, the crowds were solid.


This boat was out of the race.

I met a friend at Touk restaurant. They wanted a minimum consumption of $12.50 per person to sit along the balcony railing. That was not a problem as we were planning to have lunch and a few cold ones. Crowds were not too bad as there was obviously no traffic on Sisowath Quay. Well, apart from the odd "VIP" with vanity plates that had to push his SUV through the crowd.



Police were everywhere, makes you realize just what a police state this has become. I counted 9 different uniforms, but there were plenty of undercover cops as well. Some pickpocket grabbed a phone but got caught immediately by plainclothes police. The crowd was not happy but the police were adamant that there would be no mob justice today. I did see a spotter and sharpshooter on a roof overlooking the whole area.


Coppers everywhere.


Even on the roof tops.

By 18:00, the crowds were just mind blowing. Kudos to the police though, they directed the masses well, sending incoming people up 178 Street. Someone got roasted on here for saying the fireworks were nuff. Well, they were, at least yesterday. A few random rockets and that was it.



I walked back after the fireworks. We went back past the palace as Riverside was just way too packed. I had a flip-flop blow-out soon after leaving, had to make my way barefoot. Luckily ot was nothing like say New Year's Eve in Germany, where the streets would be covered in broken glass.


There is always one.

All in all, very enjoyable. I will try and wangle my way into the tourist/barang tent tonight for better views. Though it does seem that they are not serving beer in there.

ali baba wrote: ↑Wed Nov 29, 2023 11:00 am my question is why were there so many heavily armed police marching up and down the streets? Is there a terrorist threat that I'm unaware of?

hanno wrote: ↑Wed Nov 29, 2023 10:56 am It would appear that the King was there for the final fireworks. This meant that most of Sisowath Quay was blocked by cars and the security cordon around them. It took me a good 20 minutes to cover 800 meters.