Cambodian Human Rights Committee Remarks on Recent Case of Detained Soldiers and Thai Response | CMAC Confirms Expertise on MK-84 Bomb as Evidence Supports Cambodia’s Claims | U.S. Pledges Full Support for Cambodia–Thailand Ceasefire in Meeting with General Tea Seiha | UN Agencies Join Government Field Visit to Assess Needs of Displaced Communities in Oddar Meanchey and Siem Reap | Cambodians Worldwide Stand for Peace as PM Pushes for Release of Soldiers Held by Thailand | TOP NEWS: Cambodia and Thailand Agree to Ceasefire and Establish Mechanisms for Border Stability | TOP NEWS: Cambodia, Thailand Reach Critical Agreements in Bid to Ease Border Tensions | TOP NEWS: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet Nominates Donald Trump for Nobel Peace Prize | U.S. Welcomes Progress in Cambodia-Thailand Ceasefire Efforts | Techo Hun Sen Addresses Escalating Cambodia–Thailand Border Incidents | Japan Welcomes Cambodia-Thailand Ceasefire Mechanism Agreement | BREAKING: Two Malaysian Tourists Set on Fire in Bangkok, Suspect Arrested | Thailand Taps Former Beauty Queen Panadda Wongphudee to Counter Cambodia’s Defence Spokeswoman | BREAKING: THIRD LANDMINE BLAST INJURES THAI TROOPS NEAR CAMBODIAN BORDER, SPARKING DIPLOMATIC CLASH | BREAKING: Thai Patrol Hit by Landmine Near Thai Border—Cambodia Rejects Accusations | BREAKING : Cambodian Mine Authority Denies Thailand’s Allegations of New Landmine Use |
Cambodian Human Rights Committee Remarks on Recent Case of Detained Soldiers and Thai Response | CMAC Confirms Expertise on MK-84 Bomb as Evidence Supports Cambodia’s Claims | U.S. Pledges Full Support for Cambodia–Thailand Ceasefire in Meeting with General Tea Seiha | UN Agencies Join Government Field Visit to Assess Needs of Displaced Communities in Oddar Meanchey and Siem Reap | Cambodians Worldwide Stand for Peace as PM Pushes for Release of Soldiers Held by Thailand | TOP NEWS: Cambodia and Thailand Agree to Ceasefire and Establish Mechanisms for Border Stability | TOP NEWS: Cambodia, Thailand Reach Critical Agreements in Bid to Ease Border Tensions | TOP NEWS: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet Nominates Donald Trump for Nobel Peace Prize | U.S. Welcomes Progress in Cambodia-Thailand Ceasefire Efforts | Techo Hun Sen Addresses Escalating Cambodia–Thailand Border Incidents | Japan Welcomes Cambodia-Thailand Ceasefire Mechanism Agreement | BREAKING: Two Malaysian Tourists Set on Fire in Bangkok, Suspect Arrested | Thailand Taps Former Beauty Queen Panadda Wongphudee to Counter Cambodia’s Defence Spokeswoman | BREAKING: THIRD LANDMINE BLAST INJURES THAI TROOPS NEAR CAMBODIAN BORDER, SPARKING DIPLOMATIC CLASH | BREAKING: Thai Patrol Hit by Landmine Near Thai Border—Cambodia Rejects Accusations | BREAKING : Cambodian Mine Authority Denies Thailand’s Allegations of New Landmine Use |

Ministry of Cults and Religions Issues Guidelines for Pchum Ben, Kathin Festivals

Phnom Penh: The Ministry of Cults and Religions has issued guidelines for the observance of the Kan Ben, Pchum Ben and Kathin festivals. It has urged all capital and provincial departments of cults and religions to improve conditions for monks and safeguard those celebrating. One of the biggest religious festivals in Cambodia, Pchum Ben, has a tradition of distributing food at temples in order to satisfy the ancestors. The pagoda-based ritual is observed for two weeks, this year between 22 September and 6 October. While Pchum Ben refers to the highlight of the festival and is celebrated on its 15th day, the 14 days prior are referred to as Kan Ben.

The Kathin festival takes its name from the Pali word for pieces of cloth. Buddhist monks’ robes are offered by worshippers to their local monks. The festival has its roots in the pilgrimage of a group of monks given shelter from a storm by the Buddha. This year, Kathin will be celebrated from 22 October to 19 November. During these 29 days, Cambodians of all social backgrounds give their share, either in cash or kind, for monks to renovate the shrines inside their respective pagodas or communities.

Given that both festivals fall in the second year of the pandemic and the kingdom’s second wave, the Ministry of Cults and Religions says monks and the faithful must adhere to the Ministry of Health’s preventative measures to curb any further spread of Covid-19. People who visit Pagodas must wear a mask, have their body temperatures checked, maintain good hygiene, wash their hands with soap or alcohol gel, maintain social distancing and adhere to the “3 do’s and don’ts”. Pagodas, monuments and shrines must also be thoroughly cleaned before being decorated.



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