A Buddhist novice sits on an artificial tiger prepared for Khmer New Year celebrations at Wat Udom Meanchey in Prey Veng province last week. FB
Authorities in the capital and major population centres have reminded the public to refrain from dangerous activities during the Khmer New Year celebrations, including those involving the use of water, powder, fireworks and explosives, as provincial authorities prepare to organise festive events.
They also called on locals to avoid behaviour that encourages recklessness, particularly gambling, and promoted participation in Khmer traditional activities.
A letter from the Phnom Penh Municipal Administration seen by The Post on April 4 called on city dwellers to respect road traffic law and to avoid driving while drunk to prevent accidents during the holiday.
The administration also warned people of the possibility of fires resulting from the widespread use of candles, incense sticks and electric stoves, and advised them to carefully and responsibly handle the products. It also strictly prohibits fireworks and all kinds of explosives.
The letter encouraged the capital’s residents to “join in all kinds of national popular games” but warned them to “absolutely avoid” spraying and throwing water in all containers, painting with charcoal, use of whips or to race motorbikes recklessly.
It added that it would impose a ban on illegal gambling and other games that “endanger and affect” Khmer traditional culture.
The municipal administration stated that this call was made to maintain security, safety and public order in Phnom Penh, as well as to “maintain national tradition and dignity” on the occasion of Khmer New Year from April 14-16.
Kruy Malen, head of administration at the Kandal Provincial Hall, said it has not issued any warnings prohibiting any activities in the province as the incidence of recklessness and endangerment was low.
“In Kandal province, we have observed that people do not gamble or partake in events that are unsavoury … So we do not have a proclamation not to play this or that,” he said.
Workers prepare a structure for Khmer New Year celebrations in Siem Reap province on Friday. SIEAM REAP ADMINISTRATION
He added that the administration was planning to hold a three-day New Year celebration in Takhmao town with “lots of entertainment” programmes planned, including Khmer traditional games such as Chaol Chhoung.
In relation to security and order during the New Year celebrations, the administration said it has requested that police units be stationed around the main areas of crowds and festivities so as to be ready to prevent offences should they occur.
He also stated that on each day of the festival, the provincial administration has planned traditional religious ceremonies for residents to partake in, including ones to pray for happiness, the progress of Preah Berit or Paritta (exorcism in Buddhism) and the reception of the New Year deity.
Other programmes planned by the administration include sports competitions in the daytime, while after nightfall there will be dance and drumming performances alongside contemporary concerts featuring celebrities who will launch floating lanterns on the water.
In Siem Reap, the provincial administration has partnered with the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia to organise the Siem Reap Songkran ceremony, which runs from April 12-16.
The provincial administration said its Khmer New Year celebrations will be held at two locations: Siem Reap town and the Chao Say Chao Tevta temple.
“Both venues will have a variety of events such as boat rides, food fairs, floating markets, music, drums, art performances on the waterfront and two giant concerts,” it said in a Facebook post.
In Battambang province, deputy governor Soeum Bunrith told The Post that provincial authorities had made traditional games more accessible to locals by hosting the events at schools and pagodas.
Battambang town has also organised a New Year Songkran, with religious ceremonies such as flower arrangements to welcome the New Year angels, as well as traditional dance performances.
The administration also promised “beautiful decorations” on its streets and public gardens that it said would be ideal as a backdrop for locals and tourists to take photos at.
Bunrith said that despite the packed entertainment programme, provincial authorities will be reminding revellers to continue protecting themselves from Covid-19. They have also imposed bans on what they considered to be dangerous games.
“We are still observing a combination of health measures to prevent water throwing, which leads to problems such as traffic accidents and other kinds of illegal gambling,” he said.
