PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, April 13 (NNN-AKP) – Tens of thousands of Cambodian migrant workers began to leave the capital, Phnom Penh for their home provinces for the Khmer New Year, which will be celebrated on April 14-16.
To facilitate people’s travel and reduce their travel’s cost, the Phnom Penh Municipality used 120 city buses to ferry passengers from Phnom Penh to the provinces and vice versa, free-of-charge, from April 12 to 18, said Phnom Penh Municipal Governor, Khuong Sreng.
“Free bus services are offered at the behest of Prime Minister, Samdech Techo Hun Sen, aiming at preventing private bus companies and taxi drivers from increasing fees during the holiday period,” he told reporters.
Many of the city buses, which are being used to serve passengers, were donated by the Chinese government in July 2017.
Sok Chanthou, a 31-year-old garment factory worker, said, the free bus saved her about 40,000 riel (10 U.S. dollars) for a single trip.
“It’s good because it has saved me some money,” she said, while taking the bus to her hometown in north-western Battambang province, some 291 km from Phnom Penh.
Phnom Penh is home to approximately two million people, most of them are migrants from various provinces.
As they leave the city on the occasion, the whole city will be quiet and most shops will be closed.
During the three days of New Year celebrations, traditionally, revelers prepare food, fruit and soft drinks on altars, and light candles and incense sticks to greet the New Year’s angel.
Besides, they make offerings of food and some cash to Buddhist monks at pagodas, in order to dedicate to their ancestors.– NNN-AKP
