Bon Om Tuk
November 3, 2006
The closest thing to an official account of the upcoming festivities comes from the Phnom Penh Post.
According to event officials and local authorities, roughly 2.5 million people from throughout Cambodia are expected to converge on Phnom Penh’s riverside this year to celebrate the annual water festival, Bon Om Tuk, between November 4 and November 6. Last year’s celebration peaked, on its second day, with two million revelers, Minister of Tourism Lay Prohas told the Post. …
Khin said this year there are 450 registered dragon boats crewed by about 25,000 to 30,000 male and female rowers. There will be nine floats, called pratip, representing, among others, the Royal Palace, Senate, National Assembly, Government, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Tourism, and this year a private-enterprise newcomer – the ANZ bank. Last year there were 400 boats, 20,000 rowers and eight pratip.
This year will follow the same format as previous years, Khin said. He said the committee has organized places for musical performances, shows and vendors at Hun Sen park, the park in front of Wat Botum, Psar Chas park and in Chruoy Changvar. Musicians will perform chapei and ayai at Preahmeru (Veal Menh), the park in front of the National Museum, and also in front of the Royal Palace.
An unofficial assessment of the whole affair comes courtesy of this fella, who suggests the absolute best place to take in the Phnom Penh water festival is any place on the planet except Phnom Penh.
