PHNOM PENH — Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet has issued an official government directive suspending the celebrations of the Royal Water Festival (Bon Om Touk), Floating Lanterns, and Moon Salutation in Phnom Penh for 2026. However, provincial celebrations across the country may proceed as scheduled.
According to the official circular obtained on Wednesday morning, July 1, 2026, the Royal Government’s decision stems from the pressing need to focus state resources and high-level attention on evolving border situations along the Cambodia-Thailand border, specifically regarding aid operations for displaced citizens alongside other immediate national priorities.
To ensure effective execution, the Prime Minister has laid out eight critical directives:
- 1. Suspension of Phnom Penh Celebrations: The major national festivities along the Tonle Sap River in front of the Royal Palace—originally scheduled for November 23, 24, and 25, 2026—are officially suspended.
- 2. Provincial Festivities Allowed: Local authorities and citizens across all provinces retain the authority to organize provincial boat races and traditional ceremonies based on local traditions and practical capacities.
- 3. Paid Holidays Maintained: The official 3-day public holiday for civil servants, private sector employees, and factory workers remains intact, adhering strictly to Sub-Decree No. 167 dated September 5, 2025, on the 2026 public holiday calendar.
- 4. Welfare Support for Border Communities: National working groups and municipal-provincial administrations must prioritize the welfare of displaced citizens, active-duty soldiers, injured personnel, veterans, and military families stationed along the borders.
- 5. Job Placement for Returning Migrant Workers: The Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training is tasked with actively facilitating employment opportunities and matching local jobs for Cambodian laborers returning from Thailand.
- 6. Strengthening Local Economies: Relevant ministries must ensure local economic stability, manage market price fluctuations, maintain robust supply chains, support domestic production, and resolve structural barriers affecting business operations and investments.
- 7. Emergency Preparedness for Climate Disruptions (El Niño): Government bodies must take immediate action to store large volumes of water during the mid-to-late rainy season. This is a preventative measure to counter impending water shortages and extreme heat expected during the 2027 dry season, which could be prolonged due to the El Niño phenomenon.
- 8. Maintaining Social Order: Competent authorities are instructed to strictly enforce public safety, social order, and national security by rigorously implementing the “Safe Village-Commune-Sangkat” policy.
