ANN/THE STAR – Cambodia is preparing to celebrate its traditional solar new year Choul Chnam Thmey today.
Hundreds of thousands of migrant workers have begun to leave the capital Phnom Penh for their hometowns in various provinces in order to enjoy the holiday with their family members.
Chum Sina, a 35-year-old deliveryman for a private company in Phnom Penh, said the traditional New Year is the most important occasion for a family gathering.
“This is a special occasion for a family reunion,” he told Xinhua yesterday while taking a bus with his wife and a son to his hometown in Pursat province, about 200 kilometres northwest of Phnom Penh.
“I usually visit my hometown twice a year on the occasions of the Pchum Ben festival, or Ancestor’s Day, and the Cambodian New Year,” he added.
Sina said during the New Year, besides gathering with parents and relatives, people will go for a walk, play traditional games, or visit various tourist destinations.
A native to southeastern Prey Veng province, Lib Kunsry, a garment factory worker in Phnom Penh, said she is eager to see her family members as they have not met for months.
“I’m looking forward to the New Year holiday because I miss my hometown and want to meet my family members,” the 38-year-old mother of a daughter told Xinhua.
