AKP Phnom Penh, March 11, 2025 --

Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet this morning reaffirmed that Angkor Sankranta is going to be held for all the Cambodian people and foreign tourists, not for the Hun family.

While presiding over the graduation ceremony of more than 4,400 students of the Vanda Institute, held at Koh Pich Convention and Exhibition Centre in Phnom Penh, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet said this upcoming event is organised by a group of youths, even though some of them have become the successor leaders, to promote tourism in the Kingdom.

The Premier made the reaction following criticism by some radical analysts over the organisation of the Angkor Sankranta by the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia (UYFC) led by H.E. Hun Many, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Civil Service.

“This is not for the Hun Family, but for all, especially to promote the tourism sector in Siem Reap province by creating numerous entertainment activities […],” he underlined.

Starting since 2013, the Angkor Sankranta event has been held for 12 years. This year, the Angkor Sankranta will take place from April 14 to 16 under the theme “Smile to Celebrate the New Year.”

According to UYFC President H.E. Hun Many, the Angkor Sankranta 2025 will be more joyful with a variety of exciting activities to be held at six different locations, including Angkor Wat Temple Complex, Royal Residence Park, Siem Reap River, King's Road, Pub Street, and Angkor Gyeongju.

H.E. Hun Many added that the upcoming entertaining programmes will include Angkor Heartbeat Show, My Village Programme, Ok Chaktrang (Khmer chess), Angkor Sankranta Parade, Khmer Traditional Martial Arts Demonstration, Classical and Folk Dances, Angkor Smiling Garden, Let's Play Water, Moni Harotey Garden (Mind refreshing garden), Siem Reap River Market, Ox Cart Racing, Srang Preah (Buddha bathing), etc.

By Heng Panha