Cambodian-Vietnamese Friendship to be Fostered at All Levels
Phnom Penh, December 11, 2023 --The Cambodian and Vietnamese friendship and cooperation will be further fostered at all levels, both in the legislative and executive bodies, while the people-to-people relations will be tightened for the mutual interest of the two nations.The remarks were made by Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet in a courtesy meeting with H.E. Vuong Dinh Hue, President of the National Assembly (NA) of Vietnam, in Hanoi this afternoon.Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet conveyed greetings from Samdech Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the Cambodian NA, to H.E. Vuong Dinh Hue, and thanked the Vietnamese NA for its support to the Cambodian NA.For his part, H.E. Vuong Dinh Hue spoke highly of the first official visit of Samdech Thipadei as the Prime Minister of Cambodia and congratulated him on his election as a Vice President of the ruling Cambodian People's Party.Under the cool shade of His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, and under the wise leadership of Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, Cambodia will continue to move forward and will achieve its vision of an upper middle-income economy by 2030 and a high-income country by 2050.Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet arrived in Hanoi this morning for a two-day official visit at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart H.E. Pham Minh Chinh.
Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet Elected Vice President of Ruling Party
Phnom Penh, December 10, 2023 --Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet was elected Vice President of the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP), bringing the total CPP Vice President to 5.The election was held at the 44th Central Committee Conference of 5th mandate, at the party's headquarters in Phnom Penh this morning under the chairmanship of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, CPP President, and Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei Heng Samrin, CPP Honorary President.In addition, the meeting also voted for 23 more members of the Standing Committee of the Party Central Committee.With the the newly-elected members, the Standing Committee of the Party Central Committee has now 58 members.The 44th Central Committee Conference took place during the CPP Extraordinary Congress on Dec. 9-10.
Ministry Calls for Public Vigilance during Upcoming Cold Season
Phnom Penh, December 09, 2023 --The Ministry of Health has issued a directive calling on the public to take the best care of themselves and their health during the approaching cold season.According to the directive, Cambodia generally encounters seasonal diseases such as respiratory diseases, allergies, and COVID-19.The directive recommended that people wear thick coats, scarves, beanies, and winter gloves to prevent themselves from falling ill.It also advised them to visit the local health centre when they are sick.Children and the elderly are the most susceptible to diseases during the cold season, it highlighted.
Ministry of Commerce to Organize Two-day the 16th Cambodian & Import-Export Goods Exhibition In Phnom Penh
MoINFO Phnom Penh, December 11, 2023 --The Ministry of Commerce will organize the 16th Cambodian & Import-Export Goods Exhibition from December 15-18, 2023, at the Diamond Island Convention & Exhibition Center, Phnom Penh city. This is a major annual international exhibition event that aims to promote trade and investment activities in Cambodia, especially to promote trade relations between Cambodia and the international community.In this exhibition event, the Ministry of Commerce will also organize some important accompanying events, such as the seminar on trade promotion, the business and investment forum, the MOU signing ceremony, business matching events, and concert.
Run Taek Area to Become a City in the Near Future
Phnom Penh, December 08, 2023 --Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet is committed to developing necessary infrastructure of Run Taek Development Area to turn it into a city in the near future.The Premier made the commitment at a get-together at Run Taek area this morning with people who have volunteered to move out of Angkor area to Run Taek Development Area of Banteay Srei district and Peak Sneng Development Area of Angkor Thom district, Siem Reap province.Samdech Thipadei advised the Ministry of Interior to arrange Run Taek to become a model city in Siem Reap province. “Although the city is born last, its development is not lagging behind,” he underlined.Necessary infrastructure and constructions, including houses, roads, schools, health centres, clean water, electricity, and so on have been built and installed at Run Taek and Peak Sneng Development Areas.
A contracted traffic officer was summoned for questioning after being detained for misconduct
Phnom Penh: Lt. Gen. Chuon Narin, Deputy Commissioner General, and Phnom Penh Municipal Police Commissioner ordered the officers of the Land Traffic Police Office to search and summon the contracted officer named Seng Kosal to stand at the O Bek Kam traffic light for questioning about the video posting at the O Bek Kam traffic light related to the case of conducting the work outside the scope.The contracted officer is currently being questioned at the road traffic police office. The arrest was made for questioning after seeing a post on social media involving a contracted officer carrying a car parked on the street in a different way from the contracted officer.Please note that the contracted officers have the role of assisting to facilitate traffic work with road traffic police officers and do not have the right to arrest vehicles violating traffic laws.
Cambodia Hosts SEA Wrestling Championship 2023
Phnom Penh, December 08, 2023 --Cambodia is hosting the SEA Wrestling Championship 2023 at the National Olympic Stadium from Dec. 6 to 9, 2023.According to Mr. Casey Barnett, Vice President of the Wrestling Federation of Cambodia (WFC), Cambodia has hosted the SEA Wrestling Championship for two consecutive years, in 2022 and 2023, and SEA countries appreciate Cambodia for its well-organised hosting.The SEA Wrestling Championship 2023 will help sharpen the capacity of Cambodian athletes for two up-coming international events, including the 33rd SEA Games 2025 in Thailand and the 5th Asian Youth Games to be hosted by Cambodia in 2029.The tournament attracts the participation of 276 wrestlers from Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, and Indonesia, and representatives of the International Wrestling Federation will also join the event.The championship will include three disciplines: U17 years old, U20 years old, and over 20 years old contests.In 2022, Cambodia won 19 medals for such international sports at the SEA Wrestling Championship 2022, hosted by Cambodia.
Ruling Party Rejects The Cambodia Daily’s Exaggerated, Inciting Report
Phnom Penh, December 07, 2023 --The ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) has completely rejected a report published by The Cambodia Daily dated Dec. 6, 2023 alleging that CPP members have used money in exchange of a membership in the Party Central Committee.“The report is exaggerated, inciting, deliberately damaging the reputation, honour and dignity of the CPP members,” the party said in a statement issued on Dec. 7.As the ruling party leading the 7th-mandate Royal Government and under the Pentagonal Policy-Phase I led by Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, CPP focuses on building quality human resources and has a strong will to serve the nation and the people, it underlined.“Therefore, the selection of additional members of the CPP Central Committee must be based on the ability, experience, qualifications and values that meet the needs of human resources for the leadership of the Party and State to defend peace, independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity,” the statement said. The Cambodia Daily must adhere to the journalistic professionalism and be responsible for publishing factual information in order to maintain the honour and dignity of its own institution and society, the source added.CPP is going to hold its annual Extraordinary Congress on Dec. 9-10 at the party headquarters in Phnom Penh after the overwhelming success in the 2023 general elections, reflecting the strong and inseparable internal unity, the party said.
Battambang Museum to Open for Tourists in Early 2024
Phnom Penh, December 07, 2023 --The Battambang Museum will start to welcome national and international tourists from Jan. 1, 2024 onward, announced the Battambang Provincial Department for Culture and Fine Arts.The museum features a collection of rare pieces of work related to culture, arts, sculptures, designs, and architecture.The museum was constructed on Oct. 29, 1968 by Architect Yieng, and it was renovated and re-inaugurated on Jan. 11, 2019 by H.E. Mrs. Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts.According to Mr. Kim Sophorn, Director of the Provincial Department of Culture and Fine Arts, there are approximately 1,500 statues displayed in the museum, including some 700-year-old statues and artefacts.Entrance tickets to the museum will be free for national tourists and will cost 12,000 Riel (about US$3) for international tourists.International tourists aged under 10 years old will not be charged for their visit to the museum.
Water Resources Minister Calls for ‘Closer Monitoring and Stronger Action’ as Mekong Water Flows Change
Phnom Penh, December 06, 2023 --Water Resources and Meteorology Minister H.E. Thor Chetha has called for greater collective efforts to mitigate the impacts of flood and drought amid changing hydrological conditions on the Mekong River.The minister, who currently chairs the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Council, made the call during a recent visit to the MRC Regional Flood and Drought Management Centre in Phnom Penh.In a statement released Tuesday, the MRC Secretariat in Vientiane said the minister urged the region to improve its forecasting of worsening floods and droughts — as well as advanced warnings to the millions affected.He praised the Centre, MRC and its four members – Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam – for "substantial progress in monitoring, forecasting and communicating about Southeast Asia’s most important river” but urged even greater “collective efforts” to mitigate the flood and drought impact.The statement noted that the Tonle Sap Lake had “dramatically shrunk in recent years due to low Mekong flows.”“The change in hydrological conditions, flood and drought require our focused attention, closer monitoring and stronger action, with technological innovation and more linkages between the MRC Secretariat and member countries,” H.E. Thor Chetha said.“This centre’s operational capability should also be further strengthened, in the areas of its expertise and technological innovation.”‘THE CLOCK IS TICKING’The statement said “the clock is ticking for more substantive action on this transboundary challenge" as both MRC and UN studies had predicted a future of climbing temperatures, rising sea levels and even drier droughts.In addition to “timely, accurate information, delivered via advanced technologies and innovation,” H.E. Thor Setha called for “greater access to this early information for the most vulnerable residents,” the statement said.He also highlighted the need for a “sharper focus on flood management and protection measures, not just forecasting, especially in residential and economic areas” as well as “tighter cooperation” with China and Myanmar.
Supreme Consultation and Recommendation Council Holds Its First Meeting
Phnom Penh, December 06, 2023 --The first meeting of the new-mandate Supreme Consultation and Recommendation Council (SCRC) kicked off here at the Peace Palace this morning under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet.Delegates from the 29 participating parties, including the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), took part in the meeting and each head of delegation will have five minutes to deliver their respective statements.Samdech Thipadei Prime Minister will present the vision of the SCRC, a non-parliamentary mechanism, in contribution to the promotion of multi-party liberal democracy in the country.SCRC was established after the 6th National Election in 2018 on the initiative of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, the then Prime Minister. Its mandate lasts along with that of the government.SCRC’s major duties are to initiate and provide consultations on the elaboration of policies, laws and regulations of the Royal Government, and monitor the implementation of laws and government policies at the national and sub-national levels as well as provide recommendations in case of inactive or irregular act of any officials.SCRC’s members will be convened for a meeting every month by their chairman (each political party takes over the SCRC chairmanship every month on a rotation basis) and every six months with the Prime Minister or at other necessary time at the Prime Minister’s convocation.
Cambodia Welcomes 4.4 Million Foreign Tourists in First Ten Months
Phnom Penh, December 04, 2023 --Cambodia attracted some 4.4 million international tourists in the first 10 months of 2023, a sharp increase of around 180 percent from 1.57 million over the same period last year, Tourism Minister H.E. Sok Soken said.H.E. Minister shared the figures in the closing ceremony of the 10th Sea Festival held in Kep province on Dec. 3."Cambodia is expected to receive approximately 5.4 million foreign visitors in 2023," he said.Tourism is one of the four pillars supporting Cambodia's economy, in addition to garment, footwear and travel goods export, agriculture, and construction and real estate.According to the Ministry of Tourism, the number of international visitors to Cambodia is predicted to reach 7 million by 2025, surpassing the pre-COVID-19 pandemic level of 6.6 million in 2019.Cambodia is well known for its world cultural heritage sites, namely the Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap province, the Preah Vihear Temple and Koh Ker Temple in Preah Vihear province, and the Sambor Prei Kuk Archaeological Site in Kampong Thom province.Besides, the Kingdom has a 450-kilometre-long pristine coastline stretching across four southwestern provinces of Preah Sihanouk, Kampot, Kep and Koh Kong.
Cambodia Hosts a Training on Law of the Sea for Cambodian, Lao and Vietnamese Officials
Phnom Penh, December 04, 2023 --The National Institute of Diplomacy and International Relations at the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC) has recently organised a training course on the Law of the Sea for Cambodian, Lao and Vietnamese officials.The Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources & Security of the University of Wollongong led the training course, held in Siem Reap province from Nov. 20 to 24 in collaboration with the Australian Embassy in Cambodia, for 23 maritime policy and security officials along with coast guard and navy officers from the three neighbouring countries, said a recent press release of MFAIC.According to the source, the course included key principles of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982 as well as the rights and duties of states in different maritime zones and navigational regimes. It also analysed how the Law of the Sea developed through state practice and negotiation, and evaluated its diverse implementation.In addition, it continued, participants considered how Law of the Sea provisions have been interpreted and how the law relates to other aspects of international law including areas such as fisheries, the environment and scientific research. They also considered third-party settlement of disputes under Part XV of the convention.Institute President H.E. Mr. Cheuy Vichet and Australian Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Mr. Andreas Zurbrugg awarded certificates to the participants. They highlighted the good relations between Cambodia and Australia, and the commitment to building capacity for government officials.Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade funded the training with support from Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Asian Parliamentary Assembly Invites Cambodia to Host Meeting of Standing Committee on Social and Cultural Affairs Next Year
Phnom Penh, December 02, 2023 --The Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) has invited the Cambodian National Assembly to host next year’s meeting of the group’s Standing Committee on Social and Cultural Affairs.APA Secretary-General Dr. Mohammad Reza Majidi made the request during bilateral talks with National Assembly Second Vice President H.E. Vong Sauth on the sidelines of an APA Executive Council meeting in the Turkish city of Antalya earlier this week.H.E. Vong Sauth warmly thanked Dr. Majidi for the kind invitation and said he would convey it to the National Assembly leadership.APA's Standing Committee on Social and Cultural Affairs most recently met in September in Baku in Azerbaijan, which is scheduled to hold the APA presidency in 2024 and 2025.COMMISSION ON WOMENThe Baku meeting adopted a draft resolution to set up a Commission on Women within the framework of APA, which was subsequently endorsed by the Executive Council in Antalya.Members of parliament from across the region are to consider the resolution at the next APA Plenary Session, expected to be hosted by Azerbaijan early next year.They are also expected to hear from a working group on Palestine, which the Executive Council meeting in Antalya agreed to set up.TALKS WITH TURKISH SPEAKERH.E. Vong Sauth also held bilateral talks with Grand National Assembly of Türkiye Speaker H.E. Prof. Dr. Numan Kurtulmus, the current president of APA.The Second Vice President expressed his heartfelt congratulations to Türkiye commemorating 100 years as a republic on Oct. 30He noted growing ties between the Cambodian and Turkish governments – including efforts to boost annual two-way trade to US$ 1 billion – and urged stronger cooperation between the two parliaments. In his address to the Executive Council on Nov. 27, H.E. Vong Sauth recalled that the Cambodian National Assembly was one of the founding members of the Asian Parliamentary Association for Peace (AAPP).In addition to hosting the Second AAPP General Assembly in 2000, the National Assembly chaired the Eighth Plenary Session of APA in Phnom Penh in 2015 and the Ninth Session in Siem Reap the following year.“I am confident that our positive interactions and dialogue will accelerate mutual understanding, friendship and solidarity among Member Parliaments and States, contributing to peace, stability and development throughout Asia and the world,” he said.Other members of the Cambodian delegation to the Executive Council meeting were H.E. Keo Piseth, Secretary of the National Assembly Commission on Justice and Legislation, and H.E. Ty Sokun, Secretary of the Commission on Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation.
Cambodia Not to Construct Hydropower Dam on Mekong River
Phnom Penh, November 30, 2023 --There is possibility to build at least two hydropower dams along the Mekong river in Cambodia, but the Royal Government will not do so.While presiding over the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Stung Tatai Leu Hydropower Dam of 150 megawatts in Thmar Baing district of Koh Kong province this morning, Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia, announced that Cambodia will not build any hydropower dam on the Mekong River, even though there are a lot of benefits for the country's socio-economic development.“The 7th-mandate Royal Government will not build dams on the Mekong River, no matter what the benefits are,” he underlined.There are a total of 11 projects planned, of which seven in Lao PDR, two in Cambodia, and two across the Lao-Thai border.The Mekong River Commission (MRC) pointed out that of the above-mentioned projects, two – Xaiyaburi and Don Sahong - have become operational and four more have been notified to the MRC for Prior Consultation Process.MRC said hydropower development in the Lower Mekong River (LMB) brings both positive and negative consequences.According to the MRC Council Study on the Sustainable Management and Development of the Mekong River Basin including Impacts of Mainstream Hydropower Projects, the LMB could see economic gains from full hydropower development of more than US$160 billion by 2040. Development of hydropower brings synergies with other water related sectors as well, including expanding irrigation that is key to food security, provides access to electricity that is key to poverty reduction, contributes to navigation that enhances regional trade, and provides flood management and drought relief that is important part of adapting to climate change.But those benefits come with potential costs. The decline of fisheries could cost nearly US$23 billion by 2040. The loss of forests, wetlands, and mangroves may cost up to US$145 billion. With further reduction of sediment due to dams and sand mining, rice growth along the Mekong will be severely curtailed. Fish farms, irrigation schemes, and expanding agriculture could offset these losses, although with uneven results between countries.
Sea Festival 2023 Kicks Off Today in Kep Province
Phnom Penh, December 01, 2023 --Sea Festival 2023 kicks off today in Kep province, under the theme ‘Together for Tourism.Kep province hosts the 10th Sea Festival from Dec. 1 to 3, aiming to boost tourism development in the province and attract more tourists, both national and international, to visit the coastal province.Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia, and his spouse will preside over the official opening ceremony of the annual event on Dec. 2.According to the Ministry of Tourism, the three-day festival will feature live concerts, art performances, food and beverage expo, trade fair, kite flying event, firework display, sports competitions, and so on.Organised every year on a rotating basis in the coastal provinces, the Sea Festival is aimed at promoting the country’s coastal areas to tourists and encouraging the protection and preservation of natural and cultural resources.Cambodia’s coastline, which became a member of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club (World-Bays Club) in mid-2011, stretches for 450 kilometres over four southwestern provinces of Preah Sihanouk, Kep, Kampot and Koh Kong.Under the recently-launched Kep Tourism Development Master Plan 2023-2035, Kep province is designed to turn into a luxurious eco-tourism destination with a competitive edge beyond Cambodia.The master plan features a number of initiatives to develop Kep into a world-class tourism destination. This comprises new tourism products and attractions, including a golf course, marina and a casino, besides improving the quality of existing tourism infrastructure like hotels, restaurants and beaches.It also aims to convert Kep as a destination for luxury tourism, MICE events and weddings and also developing it as a sustainable tourism destination with a focus on environmental protection.The master plan is also expected to create jobs and boost the local economy of the province.
Cambodia, UAE Optimistic About CEPA's Potential
Phnom Penh, November 30, 2023 --Cambodia and the United Arab Emirates are optimistic about the prospect potential of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).The optimism was unveiled by H.E. Mrs. Cham Nimul, Minister of Commerce and H.E. Dr. bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister for Foreign Trade of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the "Fortune Global Forum 2023" and the session on "Tectonic Shifts: Globalisation and the Future Trade" at Abu Dhabi in UAE on Nov. 29.On the occasion, H.E. Mrs. Cham Nimul mentioned about the progress and opportunities of trade between Cambodia and UAE and the importance of regional and global trade integration, especially the need to connect ASEAN and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which will play key role in sustainable economic development in supply chain participation as well as innovation.Both sides also noted the concerted roles of developed and developing countries in promoting cooperation across sectors such as digital sector, environment, competition, youth capacity development, and adaptation to the rapidly changing technology revolution.
Cambodia Elected to be the Host of 5th Review Conference of Mine Ban Convention in 2024
Phnom Penh, November 25, 2023 --Cambodia has been elected to chair and host the 5th Review Conference of the Mine Ban Convention, named by the Kingdom: Siem Reap-Angkor Summit on a Mine-Free World, during the 21st Meeting of State Parties to Mine Ban Convention in Geneva, Switzerland on Nov. 24.The event is scheduled to take place in Siem Reap province with the participation of 164 member states and observer states as well as many international organisations and institutions, said Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, expressing congratulations to Cambodia on the election.Cambodia is the 5th country in the world and the first one in Asia to chair and host the Review Conference of the Mine Ban Convention held every five years, he stressed.The first conference took place in Kenya in 2004, the second in Colombia in 2009, the third in Mozambique in 2014, and the fourth in Norway in 2019.“The Siem Reap-Angkor Summit is a forum where Cambodia will reaffirm its commitment to the international community on mine clearance and review the progress of past action plans,” the Cambodian Premier underlined on his social media networks this morning.Samdech Thipadei took the opportunity to commend H.E. Senior Minister Ly Thuch, First Vice President of Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), the management, officials and staff of CMAA, development partners, national and international operators, mine action communities and all stakeholders for their efforts and contribution to save Cambodia and its people from the misery of anti-personnel mines, which are the legacy of the country's chronic war.The Prime Minister also thanked the Member States of the Ottawa Convention and the international community for their continued support and appreciation for Cambodia's efforts in the field of mine action, as well as for their election for Cambodia as the chair and host of the 5th Review Conference of Mine Ban Convention.
Tourist Pavilion Receives Nearly 7,000 International Visitors during Water Festival Celebration
Phnom Penh, November 29, 2023 --A total of 6,863 foreign visitors enjoyed the three-day boat races from the tourist pavilion located close to the honorary pavilion, in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, H.E. Kuch Panhasa, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Tourism, told AKP last night.For the first day, the special pavilion received 1,903 international tourists, while 2,228 and 2,732 foreign visitors were registered on the second and final days of the three-day Water Festival celebration, respectively, he pointed out.What attracted them the most is the warm hospitality of the Cambodian people, he noted.The Ministry of Tourism has arranged the special pavilion for international tourists to watch the Royal Water Festival’s boat racing and floating lanterns. Along with the convenient seats, participating foreigners are provided with free refreshment and headsets for translation of the event announcement and narration into English, French, and Chinese.This year’s Water Festival was concluded yesterday evening with success and joyfulness, under the royal presidency of His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia.Annually, Cambodia organises the Water Festival to mark the end of monsoon season, convey appreciation to nature, especially water, for the productive harvests, and commemorate the country's rich culture and long history.
Over 10,000 Police Forces Deployed to Ensure Security and Order during Water Festival
Phnom Penh, November 23, 2023 --More than 10,000 police forces will be deployed to ensure security and order during the in-coming Water Festival – one of Cambodia’s biggest traditional festivals.The information was shared by the General Commissariat of National Police, adding that Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Neth Savoeun chaired here yesterday a preparatory meeting on security and order issues for the annual festival.On the occasion, H.E. Neth Savoeun advised the armed forces and relevant authorities to closely work together to ensure security, order and social safety for the people during the Water Festival to be held from Nov. 26 to 28, after being suspended for many years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.The three-day Water Festival is one of the most joyful festivals in Cambodia. People throughout 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), Sampeas Preah Khe (Moon Festival) and Ok Ambok (a type of glutinous rice roasted and crushed with pestle eaten with banana or coconut juice).This year, 338 boats from across the country have registered for the races while 30 Pratip representing different ministries, institutions and private companies will float along the river in front of the Royal Palace.Annually, Cambodia organises the Water Festival to mark the end of monsoon season, convey appreciation to nature, especially water, for the productive harvests, and commemorate the country's rich culture and long history.