| Insane New Year’s Celebrations Siem Reap April 2024 | Best Festival EVER in Cambodia
We celebrate Khmer New Year. We call it "Choul Chnam Thmey". Arkoon. Thank you. Choul Chnam Thmey. My name is Charly. Charly? Chai. We're now taking you to the famous Pub Street. Let's Go! In this episode, we're going to celebrate Khmer New Year. We're going to give you a good look at what Khmer New Year looks like. We are starting at BBU Road, very close to the famous Pub Street, and we're walking to
the Royal Independence Garden. This is one of the main spots to check out. And we're going to walk along the Siem Reap River. There's a lot of things to do. It's the 13th of April 2024, about 1:00 PM, and the party has just started. We're going to find out what Khmer New Year is about, what the differences are from Songkran which is celebrated also in Thailand. Yeah, we're going to talk to a lot of local people as well. Maybe not so much talking. We gonna waterfight people as
well. This is my favorite day of the year. I'm a little bit of a kid when it comes to water slides, water fights, or any kind of fun. We're leaving BBU Street behind and going there next, but not yet because first, the Independence Gardens. And I have to tell you guys, I'm roaming alone for the next few months. Noona, she went back to the Netherlands to sort out a few things, and I'm staying here behind in South East Asia. You might think, "Chai, what happened? You were
in Koh Samui in Thailand, and now suddenly in Siem Reap?" Well, I traveled to Siem Reap, Cambodia, to celebrate Khmer New Year, and Siem Reap is the place to celebrate this. But yeah, there will be two more videos coming up from Samui, Thailand, before we start our Cambodia series. It's still early, there's still not much going on, especially Pub Street. Last night, we were building the big stage, and there will be a lot of things going on there.
I'm super excited to bring you as well and check out what this festival is about. It's about a 10 to 15-minute walk to the garden, and I'll be able to show you, give you a good look at Siem Reap, not Angkor Wat this time, not the surrounding temples. We're celebrating New Year. Yes, this is the Siem Reap River. It's very small, I remember it to be a little bit bigger, but yeah,
this is a little stream, really. We're taking you to all the best places that you should visit if you're making it in 2025 to Siem Reap or you're watching this maybe the last day of the festival, you know exactly where to go, what to see, what to expect because we get us informed by the locals to see where we have to go, what we have to see. This is a big area right there where Pub Street is, for example, and this whole area we're going to explore later, maybe tonight already, maybe tomorrow, but we crack on first to our first destination. People have been telling me that the festival started already last night, but I had a little peek around and there was not much going on. It's 37 degrees at the moment,
a very dry heat. The wind is hot and not so comfortable, so I don't mind getting wet later on. Actually, I'm carrying a gimbal which I hope won't get wet because that one has electronic parts in it that cannot be wet, otherwise, it will be damaged. We're going to check out.... There are a few different places which the locals recommended, so yeah, I'm only getting more and more excited. It's getting a little bit busier here. This city is going to turn into something else. In a weird way, this reminds me a little bit of King's Day in the Netherlands where whole Amsterdam will be transformed into a festival.
Happy Cambodia New Year, ladies and gentlemen! Happy New Year! Thank you. Good luck to you. What are you selling? Papaya salad? Ah, papaya salad. I'm not hungry yet, but we'll come back. Yeah, yeah, okay, thank you, bye-bye. Wow, that's a mouthful. Happy New Year! Happy Cambodian New Year! Yeah, I'm not really good with languages, to be honest. So yeah, this is full. We've got probably a kilometer stretching along the river. Hey guys, what's happening? Yeah? Yeah. This is like a kilometer of food stalls, drinks, barbecues are on. Ah, this is nice, and the Cambodian
hospitality is welcoming us very well. Cambodian ambulance, I hope nothing bad happened. Crossing the road is a little bit different here because they drive on the right side. I have to get used to that. Oh, this is what I love about the traffic here is that people are, if something happened in an accident or near accident, you know, back home, people get angry and they shout at each other. And
over here, people smile at each other. And this is not only because you are a tourist. Now I've seen a lot of people, also locals, having close accidents, not only in Cambodia, I have to say. Big part of Southeast Asia, this is the case. Thank you, happy New Year. Nice one. Okay, thank you, bye-bye. Okay, so this place is only food and drinks. And now the gentleman from the M150, he told us that we have to go a little bit further to enter the water fight. And we'll do that. We're getting closer and closer to where the party is. It's so huge.
I was just wondering what they're doing here. You can get a boat for $2 and they'll be driving you around the Siem Reap River. Quite a nice idea. But we're not doing this. It's too hot in the sun at the moment. We're passing quite a few shops where you can buy water guns. I've got one as well. I left my water gun in the hotel because I don't want to get too wet yet. If I carry a gun right
now, then I'm a target as well. You know when they see you have a weapon, they shoot you. We're going to have to come back here during the night because they have a huge setup over here. I'll zoom in. Check out that huge stage, and there's no one here at the moment. Almost no one here. And this
is probably because Khmer people, they're working today or they're traveling today to this place, to this city. So many of the locals I've been speaking to, they are working up until 3 or 4:00 today, and then they go and party or going through ceremonies or doing water activities. What is this? It's like a tea? Thank you. What is it made from? Well, thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you so much. Happy New Year. Okay, the first drink. We have many to come. Oh, that's strong. That must be like 35, 40%. And here's where the water fun is. Hello, I have to move away from the music a little bit to talk to you because it's very, very loud. But everyone is smiling, having a good time, and the water fights have not really
started yet. There are a few people, a few guys, a few girls, but Pub Street later on is going to be insane. I've seen footage from last year, and we're going to experience it ourselves with our water guns. We're going to be part of this New Year in Cambodia. This festival just started, and they're still working on a few things right behind us, for example, but most of it is standing, and it's ready for people to come over and party, party, and celebrate. But we're taking you here to what's going on there. This festival is more than just a water feast. It's actually celebrating the ending of the dry season for a new harvest year. It happens sometimes that on this day,
it's raining a little bit, but I don't see it's going to happen. It will remain dry. It is super dry. I've never seen Cambodia so dry before, driving from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. We passed a lot of dry landscapes, all dry farms. So hopefully, it's starting raining
soon here. This is one of the temples people go to worship, and we're just staying here outside. I want to take you here real quick for also my Cambodian friends who are living in America at the moment. I know some of you are watching. Bringing you here so you also can be here in Siem Reap this way a little bit. That's why also we're making these videos not only to inform the people but also to just take you to the places where we go in Southn East Asia a little bit.
There will be some rituals going on here as well later on, but I'm not sure. What I like Cambodia. I want to know Cambodia. Okay, yeah, okay. Thank you. Enjoy. Happy New Year. Bye-bye. Somebody. Hello, can I have um, one Coke? Coca-Cola? Coca-Cola? Yes, please. Yeah, yeah. Thank you. Yes, please. Ah, so we are actually having Thai people coming to Cambodia as well to celebrate Cambodia. And what I also like to do is unite whole South East Asia. I know there's a lot of things in the past happen and people are talking badly. That's
always the case. But let's just unite the whole South East Asia because every country, every single country in Southeast Asia has its beauty and the people everywhere I have been going are super lovely. So there's no exception. Thank you. Wow. Okay, so we've got a Coke and a plastic cup. I actually bought this to cool my phone down because my phone is overheating and I'm filming everything now on the phone. Also, because my iPhone can get wet, no problem. So yeah, we're filming everything with iPhone 13 Pro, and we're cooling my phone down right against the cup. Hello, how are you? Wow, this is interesting. And everyone just smiling and
being so friendly. The Cambodian hospitality is next level, ladies and gentlemen. The thing is, guys, and I have to say, if you are not from Cambodia or you have never been to Cambodia, you probably hear or have heard some negative things about Cambodia. And most of it is happening in the capital city because, yes, there are people stealing there. There are thefts every day. Phnom
Penh is safe, but your wallet or your backpack is maybe not so safe. And this is a shame, ladies and gentlemen, because Cambodia is super safe overall. Only in the capital city, there are quite a few problems there. I dare to say this. And hopefully they solve this as Cambodia deserves better than a capital city with a lot of theft. I love Cambodia. I love its people. And Phnom Penh is definitely not representing the whole country. As a few hours north from there, Siem Reap, we're
at. Super safe, almost no theft. Two different worlds. We will have a Cambodian series coming up, but after this video, I will still be in Koh Samui for two episodes. They're still in the pipeline, but I wanted to make sure that this video is out as soon as possible while it's still Songkran.
We're back at this guy again. I did tell him I would go for a little bite. Hello. Oh, now I don't know exactly what you have. I have this a lot of thing. Ah, a fried rice and Fried noodle, and noodle soup. Papaya salad. Oh, maybe just go. I don't really fancy this, to be honest, but I want to buy something. So maybe just three pieces. This one, three hot dag? This fish. Oh, no, just fish. Just fish. More. What's
that fish cookie? Tahu. It's not fish. And this one. what's this? This is a pork, Okay. Let's do it. And you put sauce on there. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. How much is that? You see this one, yes? 4,500. 4,100. Okay. 4,500. 500. Okay. Okay. I did not want to eat necessarily sausages, but it was so nice just before helping us with saying Happy New Year in Khmer, which I'm going to have to repeat a couple of times maybe another year or two before I actually can say it. But um, yeah, we got a little tofu cake, got pork sausage, and I think different two different pork sausages.
Hey, not bad for a little Cambodian snack. Why you come here? Cause Siem Reap is so amazing. And it has a lot of people coming over. Yeah, there's not much to do in Phnom Penh at the moment, is there? Yes, but tomorrow I go to Phnom Penh. Oh, tomorrow you go to Phnom Penh? Yes. But tonight is, is the biggest night. Or tomorrow is the biggest night? Yes, this night. Tonight is big? Yes. Ah, where,
where are you going tonight? 11:00. Where? What? Uh, I go to at 11:00. Tomorrow. Yes. And tonight, where? What are you doing? There at the park. Yes. And you play with water? Yes, with and you also praying? I'm a Buddhist. Oh, you are a Buddhist? Yes. My English not good, uh, I can say wrong
somethings. Ah, okay, okay, okay, okay. Just, I know. Khmer New Year is traditional Cambodian. One of the things I love about Siem Reap is that it is super affordable. You're eating at a proper French restaurant for like $16 for a set menu. I mean, these are US dollars. Main courses, it is quite affordable. A beautiful part of town we are in right now. We're very close to Pub Street. There is Mexican food, a Greek restaurant here. There's Khmer food all over. Walking here, just meters away from Pub Street, you don't really have the feeling that there is anything going on.
Also, I expected a lot more people like this guy with water guns and T-shirts with flowers. We will have a special guest on the show later on. I met a bar owner yesterday. Happy New Year! So, You wear a flower T-shirt, right? Yeah, I bought this. I saw the stall people wearing the same thing. Thank you. Where are you from? Happy New Year! First they killed my father. It's a book.
That's okay. Yeah, I've seen the movie too. It's good. Yeah. You? I was born in Cambodia, which is in Battambang. just come here to visit for New Years. I live in America right now. Ah, many Cambodians in America, I think. Uh, yeah. Right after the war in 1979, and then, like myself, I lived in the refugee camp. And millions of people ended up living in abroad. You know, some
in Australia and... But I ended up in the United States. So how come you went to America? Yeah, it was not a choice because the refugee camp, they say... Well. if they take me back to Cambodia, I would gotten killed. It's just like any other country now, like Ukraine. Other people live in a different country in a camp, eventually they be moving to the United States, France and Canada. Whatever. So that's why a lot of Cambodians live in the United States or French or Australia. You
never want to go back and live in... When I'm retired, I got ten years left. I can all have to collect my income, but I enjoy coming to visit. I don't see myself that. I will be comfortable here in Cambodia. I have a daughter who's 23 years old. She graduated from college in Minnesota, and now she comes here just to learn Khmer and teaching English. But her goal is not to live here. My goal, 'cause I'm a different age than she has. I might live here, but I don't think I will
permanently live here because I'm a United States citizen. I'm proud of it. Yeah, but good luck and have fun. Thank you, sir. Thank you. Thank you. My name is Charly. Charly. Yeah. Chai. Take care. That's a nice shirt. Thank you. You also have a nice take care. Bye-bye. Bye, thank you. Battabang he's saying he's from... We're going there after this video. We'll check out Battabang. We will check out the surrounding area. We're going to new areas which I have never been exploring before.
Alright. All Cheers! This is part of Pub Street. I can say Pub Street is crossing the old chairs. So I put a little house music up, similar to this kind of music, I would say. And I'll see you, I'll walk you around a little bit so you have a view of Pub Street during day. No. Droll. Let's go. Oh, see you. Let's go. You, you. Let's go. Yo,
yo. Let's go. Let's go. Let's go. Let's go. Let's go. Let's go. Let's go. Let's go. Let's go. Go. Okay. And evening has just started at 6:15, and we're going to explore the city at night. I, I, I, I, I touch you. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Love you so much. Love you too! Okay, we love Cambodia. Welcome to Cambodia. thank you. Happy New Year, Happy New Year. Thank you. Wow,
this is Cambodia for you. Oh, I forgot to spray them. I normally don't film during the night because my camera is not good enough, but we're going to capture some footage anyway. It's going to be a big party. We're walking away from Pub Street just to have a couple of drinks at a bar where I was last night. And I'd like to introduce you to my new friend. We are at the beer yard, playing with water, and people driving by, having the best time, the best New Year in Cambodia.
So, can you introduce yourself real quick? Oh, hi. I'm Emily. Yeah, Emily. And you are the owner of the beer yard? Yeah, I am. So, how long have you had this already? Uh, almost 2 years, yeah. And you're selling, yes? What? What do you sell? Uh, a variety of beer. Soft drinks as well. Craft beer as well. But craft beer importing. Not brewing by myself. You have kraft beer also? Yes. Oh, nice. Hey, and we're celebrating now. What, what do we celebrate? We celebrate, um, New Year, we call it Choul Chnam Thmey. And what do you do then? Normally, we do a splashing water to
have fun and gathering with the family because everyone has a holiday here. It's going to start on the 13th, 14th, 15th of April. What's the best day of... which... which day? Start from today? Ah, so today is the best day, really. Yeah, yeah, okay. Let's make the most of it. Yeah, thank you. Bye. That's basically what I'm doing. I have a couple of beers here, warm up,
and then start the night at Pub Street. Too much fun already. But now I'd like to take you for the first evening of Songkran in Cambodia. Oh, yeah. This is happening here, the biggest water fight in Cambodia. How many people? There's like ten people on the back of the pick up truck. That's crazy. Anyway, let's crack on. This is BBU Road, and it's getting very busy. A few roads are locked off so traffic cannot reach every part of the city. Happy New Year!
Thank you! Thank you so cold! Oh... [ _ _ ] year, Happy New Year, Happy New Year, Happy New Year. Yes! Coffee Cambodia. Coffee Cam... Hey! Pub Street is going to be also one of the busy places to go to when it is Cambodia New Year. Happy New Year! We're checking what's going on here. This party is going to go wild. It's only 8:00, so it's only going to get busier, better, and wilder. We are now taking you to the famous Pub Street. There we go! Pub Street at night during Khmer New Year is insane. It's crazy! You're going to have to
experience it in 2025. Make sure you make it to Cambodia. Make sure you make it to Siem Reap, the best place to celebrate Khmer New Year. Thank you! What's your name? Okay, good man. Happy New Year!
2024-04-20 17:17
