SIEM REAP: Prime Minister Hun Sen has said that through the national vaccination campaign and the responsible decisions he made in 2021, people are finally able to happily celebrate national festivals like the Khmer New Year and Pchum Ben in 2022.

Speaking at a public forum during a meeting with residents in Run Ta Ek village, Banteay Srei district, Siem Reap province, on Tuesday morning, 13 September, Prime Minister Hun Sen said that this is something that people can know clearly about his decision to not celebrate Pchum Ben last year.

“Last year, Hun Sen asked you to stay home and prevent from bringing food to pagodas," he said. "Due to the protection of that life, you have been able to [engage in festival activities] every day for this year’s Pchum Ben. If life cannot be protected, do not talk about democratic rights, democracy, or human rights. The greatest right is the right to life."

Cambodia missed celebrations for the Khmer New Year and Pchum Ben festival for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and since members of the public had not yet been adequately vaccinated. The Royal Government of Cambodia launched a nationwide vaccination campaign in February 2021 following a major community outbreak on 20 February. It took Cambodia eight months to vaccinate 100% of its target population and fully reopen the country on 1 November 2021.

With the celebration of the Khmer New Year in 2022, the Ministry of Tourism reported that more than 5.1 million Cambodians travelled during this holiday.

^{PHOTO: EAC NEWS}