AKP Phnom Penh, March 06, 2026 --

Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, has expressed his support for the organisation of Nokor Sankranta to celebrate the upcoming Khmer Traditional New Year, stressing that the event will reflect the solidarity, unity, and resilience of the Cambodian nation.

The Premier made the remarks while presiding over the annual meeting of the National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD), held at Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel on Friday afternoon, following intense discussions on social media in recent days regarding the plan to organise the event.

Samdech Thipadei noted that public comments demonstrate strong concern for the country’s territory and people. He reassured that the Royal Government will never forget the importance of territorial integrity, national sovereignty, the heroic frontline soldiers, and the displaced civilians.

“We need to move forward. When we are seriously injured, we must stand up and continue moving strongly ahead. We must return to normalcy and cannot allow the socio-economy to decline,” he stressed.

The Prime Minister therefore instructed the organiser — the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia (UYFC) — to carefully organise Nokor Sankranta with a focus on preserving culture and traditions, promoting strong national unity, and paying attention to the well-being of frontline soldiers and displaced civilians.

According to the UYFC, Nokor Sankranta is scheduled to take place from April 14 to 19 in Phnom Penh. The event aims to preserve and protect national culture and traditions as part of the country’s cultural foundation, promote economic activities, attract tourists to Cambodia, and support the “Home Coming” campaign.

The event will also demonstrate unity, solidarity, resilience, and strong bonds with displaced people and heroic frontline soldiers. Religious ceremonies will be organised during the festival to dedicate merit to fallen heroes and victims, as well as to pray for peace and well-being for the nation.

All profits from the sale of mascots and a portion of revenue from booth rentals will be donated to displaced families. The event will also feature the “10,000 Krama” social movement symbolising public solidarity, the sending of greeting cards and messages of encouragement to frontline troops, and community activities such as making Ambok (roasted flattened rice), wrapping Ansom (traditional sticky rice cakes), and roasting rice cakes at event sites to be delivered to soldiers at the frontlines.

In addition, large-scale stage performances will highlight the heroism of frontline forces defending national territorial integrity. Khmer New Year celebrations are also planned at displaced persons’ camps, along with a large “Art for Peace” mural created by national and international artists in front of Botum Vattey Pagoda in Phnom Penh, symbolising remembrance and solidarity with fallen heroes and displaced communities.

The Nokor Sankranta festival will take place at several major locations in Phnom Penh, including the Wat Phnom Historical Resort, Chaktomuk Walk Street, Vattanac Capital Lifestyle Park, the Night Market, and other designated venues.

By C. Nika