AKP Siem Reap, October 6, 2026 -- Siem Reap province is fully prepared to welcome domestic and international tourists during the upcoming Pchum Ben traditional festival, with tourism services, attractions and security measures in place to ensure a pleasant and safe holiday experience.

Pchum Ben is one of the most important traditional festivals for Cambodian Buddhists. Every year, during the festival period, Cambodian families and relatives, whether living nearby or far away, travel to their hometowns to reunite with parents and relatives and prepare food and offerings for monks at pagodas. The long-standing tradition provides an opportunity for people to make merit and express gratitude to their parents, grandparents and ancestors in accordance with Cambodian beliefs.

The festival also plays an important role in preserving Cambodia’s traditions, customs, religious beliefs, culture and civilisation, which form an important part of the nation’s identity.

During the Pchum Ben holiday, Cambodian people as well as domestic and international tourists are expected to visit tourist attractions across the country. Siem Reap, known for its temples and heritage sites, also offers a wide range of cultural, natural, community-based and other tourism destinations.

Mr. Thim Sereyvuth, Director of the Siem Reap Provincial Department of Tourism, said all tourism service providers in the province, including hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and tourist attractions, are fully prepared to welcome visitors from all nationalities during the Pchum Ben holiday.

Accommodation services are widely available at reasonable prices, he said, encouraging tourists to visit Siem Reap, which offers a variety of destinations, including heritage, natural, man-made and community-based tourism sites.

“We know that Siem Reap is an important tourism hub, particularly for international tourists. During Pchum Ben, Cambodian people will have a holiday, so we believe that tourists from cities and provinces across the Kingdom will travel to their hometowns to make merit and also enjoy their holidays,” he said.

Mr. Thim Sereyvuth added that the Ministry of Tourism and the provincial administration have instructed tourism operators to strengthen the quality of all services, particularly accommodation and food services, while ensuring that prices are appropriate to the products and services provided.

With extensive promotion of green-season tourism destinations, he expressed confidence that more domestic and international tourists would visit Siem Reap during the Pchum Ben holiday.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Huot Sothy, Siem Reap Provincial Police Commissioner, said police forces at all levels in the province are fully prepared to maintain security, public order and safety for residents and domestic and international tourists during the Kan Ben and Pchum Ben festival period.

He instructed all units and police forces to strictly implement directives from the National Police on measures to ensure security, public order and social safety during the traditional Khmer festival.

The measures include strengthening standby, patrol and intervention forces, as well as reinforcing security and public order at pagodas, populated areas, tourist sites and other locations where large numbers of people are expected to gather.

Police forces have also been instructed to ensure adequate preparations, equipment and resources to respond promptly to any situations or incidents that may arise.

“All authorities have paid close attention and continued to strengthen cooperation with local authorities and community security forces to jointly maintain security, public order and safety for the people and tourists during the Kan Ben and Pchum Ben festival, ensuring that the celebration takes place safely and joyfully,” Maj. Gen. Huot Sothy said.

With its diverse tourism resources, prepared services and strengthened security measures, Siem Reap is ready to welcome visitors seeking both cultural experiences and leisure during the Pchum Ben holiday, which falls this year on Oct. 10-12.

Article in Khmer by Kuth Sao
Article in English by C. Nika