Bon Om Tuok

People enjoy the second day of the water festival in Siem Reap, Cambodia © FEEL Siem Reap

Siem Reap’s Water Festival

The annual water festival, known in Khmer as Bon Om Tuok is currently underway in Siem Reap. The three day national holiday celebrates the end of the rainy season and the change in flow of the Tonle Sap. This years celebrations are noticeably less than usual, with no dragon boat races taking place as a gesture of respect for the soldiers on the frontline of the recent border troubles. However, after a quiet morning, the riverside began to come alive with throngs of people enjoying the atmosphere as the evening drew in.

Festival time always attracts domestic tourists from elsewhere in Cambodia and the water festival is one of our favorites, with a friendly family atmosphere and with the knowledge the cool and sunny season is almost upon us.