Phnom Penh: Heavy traffic has been reported out of Phnom Penh all day as tens of thousands of people make their way to the provinces for the Pchum Ben holiday. Roads are expected to be heavily congested throughout Monday and Tuesday, with some office workers having had to work on Monday before the holiday begins.

The heaviest traffic on Monday was reported at the top of Monivong Boulevard, with nose-to-tail traffic heading north out of the city and onto National Roads 5 and 6. National Roads 3 and 4 south, in the direction of the coast, were also heavily congested.

This is the first time since 2019 that the vast majority of Phnom Penh residents have been able to take advantage of Pchum Ben and get out of the capital for a few days. While the holiday was observed last year, intermittent border closures because of the pandemic meant many people cancelled their trips and opted to stay home. Traffic is expected to pick up again on Thursday, with most people due back at work on Friday.