• Society

Water Festival’s Return Raises Small Business Hopes

• By Nhor Sokhoeurn
• November 23, 2023 4:05 PM

PHNOM PENH – Small business owners are optimistic that they will boost their income as the Water Festival is celebrated in Phnom Penh for first time in three years.

One of the country’s biggest festivals, during which millions of people flock to the capital to watch boat races, will take place on Nov 26-28. Hundreds of boats will compete in 1200m events in front of the Royal Palace.

It is also expected to boost the economy, especially for small businesses, providing them with higher than usual income.

Mak Sokhom, who has sold sour fruit for nine years, said he is happy that the Water Festival is celebrated again because he can sell more.

“On a normal day, I can get at least 100,000 riels. When there is a festival like this, I could make at least 200,000 riels,” he said. 

Kham Sokkhuon, a boiled corn​​ seller, said she may sell between 80 and 100 corns during the Water Festival. 

“If there are many people during the festival, I can sell more. I sell for 2,000 riel per corn,” she said. After calculating costs, she could make profit from 20,000 to 40,000 riel. 

Velvet tamarind seller May Pov said he sells 40-50 cans on a normal day. He believed that during the Water Festival sales increase up to 70 cans with prices remaining the same.

In 2020 and 2021 the Water Festival  was suspended due to COVID-19. Last year, it was cancelled because Cambodia was hosting the ASEAN Summit. However, many provinces organized their own events.