A Cambodian political observer has urged Public Service Minister Hun Many to reconsider a proposal to organize the Nokor Sankranta festival, arguing that the event could place unnecessary strain on national resources at a time of heightened tensions along the Cambodia-Thailand border.
Men Nat, president of the Cambodia Watchdog Council, told The Cambodia Daily on Friday that the planned festival, which Hun Many is preparing to organize during the upcoming Khmer New Year period, would generate limited economic benefits while potentially costing the state significant funds.
Men Nat said the event might attract some tourists and provide a modest boost to the national economy. However, he warned that under the current circumstances, including ongoing border tensions with Thailand, the project could become a costly and poorly timed use of public resources.
According to Men Nat, Cambodia would be better served by holding traditional New Year celebrations in a more modest format. He argued that staging a large-scale festival would bring little benefit to the country at a time when many citizens are facing hardship linked to the border dispute with Thailand.
The social commentator also called on the government to focus its attention on addressing border tensions and supporting civilians displaced by the conflict. He said that as long as the country faces territorial disputes, efforts to stimulate the economy through large events are unlikely to succeed.
On March 2, Hun Many, president of the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia, said during a discussion on the proposed event that the organization is considering hosting the Nokor Sankranta festival in Phnom Penh for six days, from April 14 to April 19, 2026.
Hun Many said the event aims to strengthen national identity and reinforce a sense of unity among Cambodian families, particularly at a time when the country faces external threats. The festival would also celebrate the upcoming Khmer New Year.
The senior government official said the initiative is intended to help preserve Cambodian culture and traditions while contributing to national resilience and economic activity. He added that the event could demonstrate national unity, though the proposal remains at the planning stage.
Hun Many previously launched the Angkor Sankranta festival in 2013, which he said was designed to help stimulate the national economy. Over the years, the initiative has included several large public events, such as attempts to set records for the longest sticky rice cake in 2015, the longest krama scarf and longest rowing boat in 2018, as well as mass dance events involving thousands of participants.
However, the Cambodian government has never publicly disclosed the full amount of public spending used to organize the Sankranta events. Authorities have only reported revenue generated from the festivals, raising questions among some observers about the scale of government expenditure.
The Cambodia Daily said it had not yet been able to reach government spokesperson Pen Bona for comment regarding the costs of previous Sankranta events or the budget planned for the upcoming festival.
