(Video) Selected Comments of Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, at the opening of the 2025 Angkor Sangkranta Event – “Smiling to Celebrate the New Year” [Unofficial Translations]

CMF: 14/04/2025

[1&2]

I am very grateful to Samdech Kittisangahabandit Men Sam An for having led the event to welcome the new year Deity at Angkor Thom this morning. This morning, we also celebrated another special ceremony for the New Year, the Royal ceremony to pray for the peace of the Kingdom of Cambodia in front of Angkor Wat, under the patronage of His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia.

[3]

(1) The three main goals of Angkor Sangkranta

From previous times as well as this year, the organization of the Angkor Sangkranta have three main objectives. Firstly, to inspire patriotism through unity as a national force, to promote Khmer culture and traditions. Secondly, to promote tourism; and thirdly, to promote economic activities and the livelihood of the people in Siem Reap province, especially in Siem Reap City and some tourist areas in the province. Based on the report of His Excellency the Governor, as well as His Excellency Hun Many, (Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Civil Services, and President of the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia – UUFC) and according to the information I received from the working group, as well as what I have discovered myself as I sneaked out a little late last night (I thought they didn’t care, but they all found out. First, I got out of the car, then changed to ride a tricycle. I was spotted and recognized), […] I can proudly say that we have achieved all the above three objectives.

(2) Angkor Sangkranta inspires patriotism, gathers national solidarity, and promotes national culture and traditions

Firstly, (about) inspiring patriotism by gathering national solidarity to promote our Khmer culture and traditions. As His Excellency Hun Many mentioned, though we organized this traditional event at Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, the (the organization) of this ceremony has shown that it came about through the gathering of forces from all national and sub-national institutions, from the private sector, from associations, from various sports federations, from high schools, from the elderly, and from various associations who participated voluntarily. We have a team of more than 5,000 youth volunteers (this) year to creatively organize the ceremony, which includes many forms of cultural arts.

The Siem Reap administration, the private sector, and the people of Siem Reap have joined together to make the Siem Reap province and city a good place to welcome visitors. Last evening, I rode a tricycle to see around. The team told me at one location that “this place is not organized by the provincial authority. This place is organized by the people of that particular location to attract tourists.” In another place, the UYFC only set up tents. The people who operate business here participated in organizing it and they are doing a good job. People from Phnom Penh participate in organizing and all the authorities in all organizations help to facilitate traffic and security, plus the provincial authorities work together to produce such a good outcome.

Last night at Pub Street, I saw handsome policemen, who were covered in powder. They are there to ensure security so that everyone can have fun. Last night, at almost 11 pm, there were still many people, both at the riverbank, at Pub Street and in other areas, walking around without any worries. This is our national strength. There are people of all religions participating too. This is a traditional festival (which is a national tradition). There are Cambodian Muslims and Cambodian Christians joining together to celebrate because it is a celebration of the Cambodian national holiday. No matter what religion they belong to, as long as they are Cambodians, they celebrate together. This is a spirit of patriotism, gathering to organize and promote culture, which means that we have achieved the first goal.

(3) The Angkor Sangkranta promotes tourism

The second point is to promote tourism. Organizing the Angkor Sangkranta (or the Sangkranta at Angkor Wat area) is an additional event to the nationwide organization. What is being promoted here is not just for Siem Reap or the Angkor region, but to the whole world that the Cambodian people can come and visit during this time of festivity. Last evening, I saw two Japanese, probably lovers or husband and wife, holding water guns. There are Cambodians from Australia who brought their children for a visit. There are Irish and French people who come to hang out all over Pub Street in Angkor Wat. I saw people going up the temple to see (the sun setting at) Ba Kheng. I received pictures showing more than 1,000 people, all of them visitors from Europe, to see the sun setting. Although the sky was a little cloudy yesterday, there were many people (longing to watch the sunset).

The dissemination of information (regarding this festivity at the Angkor Wat area) helps promote tourism not only in Siem Reap but throughout the Kingdom of Cambodia. It means showing the country’s safety and security, and our people’s goodness, culture, and our nation. This will help the world to know Cambodian better, promote our economy and tourism. This promotion will not end in these three or four days (but) the good promotion will attract tourists longer than that. Our goal is to bridge the gap between the high and low season months, or the green months, as we have renamed them, or the rainy season. So, this promotion effort, this kind of organization, is something we are proud of and have done to promote our Cambodian tourism.

I have also noticed the good publicity of our citizens (on social media). I thank you all. This is what we call jointly promoting the positive aspects of our country, our district, our village for the world to see, in addition to people all over the country to see. The Cambodian are using Facebook, TikTok, Instagram. I see them posting pictures with good content. Our young people post (pictures) of fun, wearing (traditional costumes) to take pictures. It is our culture. Playing with water and powder, and smashing pots has been a good publicity. I thank you for the organization both here and throughout the country, and we are jointly promoting the good of our country for the good of all for the tourism sector. So, this second objective has also been successful.

(4) The Angkor Sangkranta boosts the local economy

The third objective is to boost the local economy. The organization of the Angkor Sangkranta here, according to the news this morning, has (brought people from everywhere filling) in every hotel and guesthouse. Some people have to take the 1,000-star hotels (sleeping in the open air). For some, (they stay) in the homes of relatives and/or friends. There are a lot of people. His Excellency the Provincial Governor reported to me yesterday that even in the Tonle Sap area and in communities like Kampong Phlouk, and in other places, there are a lot of people. This means the event has brought in people which help boost the local economy of Siem Reap. Last night, a rickshaw driver in Pub Street, who didn’t know whom I was, said, “We’ve transported many guests, brother!” He was happy. Even it’s 11 p.m., he’s still busy. So, all sectors (at the grassroots level) have benefited from this activity.

We have prepared a section for the exhibition with the Ministry of Commerce, for ministries, institutions from various provinces, and various companies to promote our products to the outside world. But apart from this place, we have prepared one in a way that is suitable for the locals. I asked, what about the people who sell stuff in the Angkor area, where should they go? They said they do not go anywhere. Let them sell at their usual locations. We just organize them better. Let them sell and help maintain cleanliness and order. That is the basic practice. In front of the Royal Palace, we not only set up a tent for them to sell, but also created a playground for children there to attract people. They do very good business. That is the promotion of the local economy, which is our third goal. There are a lot of tourists in Phnom Kulen too […]

(5) The three goals realized with pride because the people of Siem Reap/all over the country welcome and celebrate

These are the three above main goals achievements. I can say with pride, not just based on reports, but with my own eyes, that the Angkor Sangkranta event is inspiring patriotism by gathering the total strength of the nation, regardless of trends, religions, or sectors. Let’s all celebrate this event well to promote the display of our cultural arts in all forms. I learn that there was to be a wrestling of bokator at one designated location, – it was going to be a bokator area. Now, it is not called “bokator” area anymore but a “mixed martial arts location” because bokator, kun khmer, and wrestling all come together in one place […]

This is a shared spirit. Art associations, various sports associations, come to show more, and together is better. Regarding (2) promoting tourism and (3) promoting economic activities and livelihoods […] no one said it was unnecessary […] As I came in earlier and asked these grandparents around if they wanted (to see such an event happening). They are happy that Angkor Sangkranta was organized in both the pagodas of the north and south (of Angkor Wat). They said it was very joyful and there were a lot of people. So, it means that the people of Siem Reap and the people across the country wanted it and have been happy to organize the Angkor Sangkranta to celebrate the Khmer New Year./.