Some 1,650 international tourists enjoyed boat races, a parade of illuminated floats (Pratip), and fireworks from the tourism pavilion located near the main pavilion in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh on Nov. 14, the first day of the three-day Water Festival celebration.
Kuch Panhasa, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Tourism, shared the figure with AKP this morning, expecting the special pavilion to register more foreign tourists on the second day.
The participating foreigners at the tourism pavilion received a warm welcome from Ministry of Tourism officials. In addition to the convenient seats, they were provided with free refreshments and brochures in English, French, and Chinese to learn more about the Water Festival. Tour guides were also available to help translate and assist them.
Panhasa took the opportunity to call on foreign tourists to visit Cambodia to witness major events such as the Water Festival, visit ancient temples, and hike through forests, mountains, valleys, streams, and waterfalls, all of which are abundant in the Kingdom.
This year, the Water Festival takes place on Nov. 14-16. The three-day celebration is one of the most joyful events in Cambodia. People throughout the country flock to Phnom Penh’s 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 a pestle and eaten with banana or coconut juice).
Cambodia organises the Water Festival annually to mark the end of the monsoon season, convey appreciation for nature, especially water, for the productive harvests, and commemorate the country’s rich culture and long history.
