The number of Cambodian public holidays will be reduced from 28 to 22 days from next year. International Human Rights Day, International Children's Day, and the Paris Peace Agreements Day will be among those cancelled.

In a major shake-up of the Kingdom's public holidays, the Khmer New Year break has been increased to four days, while the King's three-day birthday celebrations will be reduced to one.

A sub-decree on public holidays for civil servants and employees signed by Prime Minister Hun Sen and seen by The Post on Tuesday also states that the Meak Bochea Buddhist festival and the National Day of Remembrance commemorating the horrors of the Khmer Rouge will also be cancelled.

Council of Ministers spokesman Ek Tha told The Post that the move came in response to complaints from investors that Cambodia had more public holidays than other countries.

“We need to reduce the number of public holidays to make Cambodia more attractive for national and international investors. Don’t interpret it differently from this,” he stressed.