Khmer New Year

Actually Siem Reap is the same. Big water guns sell out, and if people cant afford one they just use a bucket. Luckily its mostly at night so its easy to avoid but yes, walking through town in the evening will get you thoroughly powdered and soaked.

@jayrozzetti23

It's tame in Cambodia compared to Thailand.

Hundreds of thousands of locals move back to their villages and celebrate there.

Many businesses close because of lack of staff.

The water splashing and powdering are a flagrant disrespect of the original habit of washing elderly people 's faces, dry them and put some powder on their faces, as a token of respect.

I stay home most of the time.

Cheers.

Joe

Thanks for that information.

I've been told that this year the holiday is on Friday, Saturday and Sunday the 14th, 15th and 16th of April, and that things will be over and back to normal on Monday the 17th.

Is that info accurate? Is it really limited to the three days?

We are leaving for Vietnam on 17 April from Phnom Penh. My girl friend said the roads in the city will be completely messed up that day. If you are planning on leaving PP you may want to wait. This last year I was in Vietnam for Tet. It goes for a week. You would think it very quiet but on Tet everyone is out visiting pagodas and eating and drinking. Hanoi very busy. This year they had fireworks for the first time in a few years. The bia hoi places very busy. I ended up at one with some Vietnamese guys. Lots of fun but I left the day after for Siem reap. This year we do nothing for Khmer new year. Stay home.

I hope everyone has a good new year. This is my third celebration this year!