Phnom Penh: The Cambodian people will celebrate early next week, from April 14 to 16, their traditional New Year, one of the biggest festivals in the country.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, on April 14 at 04:48 am, the year of Snake will begin. The New Year’s angel is Koreakeak Devy, the second daughter of Kabel Moha Prum. Cambodia’s traditional New Year, ‘Chaul Chnam Thmei’ generally falls around mid-April or the Chet, the fifth month of the Cambodian lunar calendar during which peasants are relieved of their farm work after the dry-season rice harvest.

Generally, people return to their homeland, go to pagoda, travel to different tourism destinations, and join various entertainment activities. The Royal Government annually provides free bus service to help reduce people’s travel costs during this holiday. This year, the Phnom Penh municipal administration arranged a total of 597 buses to provide the free service back and forth between Phnom Penh and provinces from April 12 to 17.

The capital city and provinces across Cambodia are ready to welcome the Khmer Traditional New Year with a joyful atmosphere, embodying the spirit of the extended Khmer family. Vibrant decorations adorn streets, parks, and riverbanks in various cities and provinces. Colourful lights twinkle alongside national and religious flags, flowers, and serpent statues representing the Year of the Snake deity.

The Khmer New Year is a traditional festival that fosters a spirit of love and unity among villagers, contributing to national solidarity. During this time, people not only gather within their families but also visit pagodas, which serve as centres for community cohesion. The profound significance of the Khmer New Year has led Cambodians to preserve and celebrate this festival as a national tradition from ancient times to the present day.