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Legal
Holidays in Cambodia - Year 2008
Most
legal holidays fall on the same dates every year. Some holidays such as
Khmer New Year, Visakhaboja, Royal Ploughing Ceremony, Prachum Ben and
the Water Festival follow the lunar calendar and move a few days forward
or back each year. Some holidays which are not legal holidays in Cambodia
such as Chinese New Year
receive almost as much attention and celebration as legal holidays.
January 01, International New Year's Day
January 07, Victory Day over Genocide Day (Liberation Day)
February 02, Meak Bochea Day
March 08, International Women's Day
April 13-14-15, Khmer New Year
The New Year enters at an hour
designated by the lunar calendar. Beautiful offerings of food, drink
and incense are set on palm-frawned tables in front of homes. The
practice is discouraged in Phnom Penh, it is tradition to toss water
on people. Try to take it in good spirit.
May 01, International Labor Day
May 19, Visaka Bochea Day
Birthday of Buddha
May 23, Royal Ploughing Ceremony
Bonn Chroat Preah Nongkoal. The Royal Ploughing ceremony marks the
beginning of the planting season. Highly adorned sacred cows are led
to trays containing rice, corn, beans and other foods.
Agricultural pre dictions are made based on the quantity and order
or food eaten.
May 13-14-15, Birthday of the King
The birthday of
His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromoneath NORODOM SIHAMONI's.
June 01, International Children's Day
June 18, Birthday of the former Queen
The birthday of Her Majesty Samdech Preah Reach Aka Mohesey
NORODOM MONINEATH SIHANOUK's.
September 24, Constitution's Day
September
28-29-30, Bonn Pchum Ben
Pchum Ben generates an air of spiritual reverence and holiday
expectation throughout the country. People travel to pagodas to make
offerings to their ancestors. This is a colorful, photogenic time
at the pagodas. Many businesses are closed during the holiday.
October 23, Paris Peace Agreement on Cambodia
October 29, Coronation Day
October 31, Birthday of the King Father
His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah NORODOM SIHANOUK's Birthday.
November 09, Independence Day
November 11-12-13, Water and Moon Festival
Bonn Om Touk, also known as the Water
Festival and the Boat Race Festival, celebrates the reversing of the
current in the Tonle Sap River and marks the beginning of the
fishing season. Boat races are held on the Tonle Sap River in front
of the Royal Palace . Dozens of colorful dug-out row boats compete
for prizes and honors. People and vendors line the river- front to
watch the races and the whole area takes on a carnival atmosphere.
The best views of the festivities are at the restaurants such as the
FCC and
California 2
overlooking the river.
December 10, Human Rights Day
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