Cambodia Suspends Water Festival in Capital Amid Border Situation

Cambodia Suspends Water Festival in Capital Amid Border Situation

PHNOM PENH, 1 July 2026 — Cambodia’s government has suspended this year’s Royal Water Festival celebrations in Phnom Penh while allowing provincial authorities to hold the annual event, citing the need to prioritise resources for the situation along the Cambodia-Thailand border.

In a government announcement today, authorities said the Royal Water Festival, including the boat races, illuminated floats and traditional moon worship ceremonies scheduled for Nov. 23-25 along the Tonle Sap River in front of the Royal Palace, would not be held in the capital this year.

Provincial administrations, however, will be permitted to organise Water Festival celebrations in accordance with local traditions and based on their available resources.

The government said the decision was made to focus on the situation along the Cambodia-Thailand border, particularly efforts to assist displaced residents and address other immediate national priorities.

Despite the suspension of the Phnom Penh celebrations, the three-day public holiday for civil servants, employees and workers during the Water Festival will remain unchanged, in accordance with the 2026 public holiday calendar issued by the government.