Water Festival Ends With Award Ceremony

Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni, applauds to the crowd as he presides over the last day of the three-day annual water festival at the Tonle Sap River in front of the Royal Palace Monday, Nov. 6, 2006, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. More than one million people were expected to stream into the capital for the festival that is dedicated to the kingdom's ancestral naval warriors, which are believed to provide vital natural resources including fish to Cambodians. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)


Cambodian racers row their wooden boats past hundreds of spectators at the Tonle Sap River in front of the Royal Palace Monday, Nov. 6, 2006, the last day of the three-day annual water festival in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. More than one million people were expected to stream into the capital for the festival that is dedicated to the kingdom's ancestral naval warriors moreover to the mighty of Mekong water that provides vital natural resources and fish to the Cambodians. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Tuesday, November 7, 2006
By Lor Chandara
THE CAMBODIA DAILY

The 2006 Water Festival wrapped up Monday night with trophies presented by King Norodom Sihamoni to the fastest and most beautiful boats in the regatta.

Twenty-one of Cambodia's 24 provinces and municipalities competed in the three days of racing during which 409 racing boats entered the competition.

The fastest boat, clocking 26 minutes, 29 seconds in three races that started at the Japanese Friendship Bridge and ended in front of the Royal Palace, was the Odong Meachey Baromei Vang Chas boat from Kompong Speu province's Odong district.

In second place at 26:33 was the Kirivong Sok Senchey boat from Kirivong district in Takeo province.

The third fastest boat with 26:46 minutes was the Akthireach Chakraphup Raingsey boat from Kompong Thom province.

Three boats received awards for the best decorations: the Samrek Reachsei Baromei Tamol Leou from Kompong Chhnang province, the Preahnet Tip from Kandal province, and the Koh Keo Sen Dekchas from Preah Vihear province.

Tourism Ministry Secretary of State Thong Khon said that last year's Greater Mekong Subregion race, which featured boats from the region and in which Thailand narrowly beat Cambodia in a dramatic final, was not repeated this year.

"That was a one-time special event," he said.

Initial government estimates indicate that more tourists from Europe attended this year's festival, but exact numbers of arrivals were not available Monday.

Posted in: Travelling to Cambodia