Water Festival (variously spelled in the original Khmer as Bon Om Touk, or Bon Om Thook, or Bonn Om Teuk, or Bon Om Tuk) is Royal festival, takes place once a year, on the full moon of the Buddhist month of Kadeuk (usually in November). It celebrates a major natural occurrence: the reversing flow between the Tonle Sap and the Mekong River.
This natural occurrence is celebrated in Cambodia with three days of festivals, fluvial parades, boat races, fireworks, and general merriment.
It is the first time that government makes such decision for the royal festival, the big crowded and profitable event.
But Water Festival reminds us about the tragedy last year, stampede which killed more than 300 people in one night, 25th November was chosen as the Mourning Day in the whole country.
It might be last year tragedy could make no many people come for Water Festival as well so that the decision of the government could save a lot of money and especially could spend this amount to the flooding victims.
Any way, Water Festival is still celebrated by everyone at home, in each province.
Will you celebrate Water Festival this year? Where will be?
