Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
April
This is the most important month in the calendar for Khmers, as the New Year comes
in the middle of April. For tourists it's a possible month to avoid, as the mercury reg-
ularly hits 40°C.
Chaul Chnam Khmer (Khmer New Year)
This is a three-day celebration of the Khmer New Year, and it's like Christmas, New Year
and a birthday all rolled into one. Cambodians make offerings at wats, clean out their
homes and exchange gifts. It is a lively time to visit the country as the Khmers go wild with
water in the countryside. Throngs of Khmers flock to Angkor, and it's absolute madness at
most temples, so avoid the celebration if you want a quiet, reflective Angkor experience.
That said, it is nowhere near as excessive as in Thailand or Laos, so it might seem tame by
comparison.