Principals of the Australian College of Education inspect at Wat Chak Angre Krom the Blue Dragon boat that ACE is sponsoring in the water festival.

The drought situation in several provinces may reduce the numbers of rural people

coming to Phnom Penh to celebrate the Water Festival November 25-27, a government

official said.

Khieu Kanharith, the government spokesman, said last year an estimated one million

people celebrated the Water Festival, but this year the drought has hit hard in the

provinces.

Chea Kean, deputy secretary general of the Festival Committee, told the Post on November

18 that the number of dragon boats entered for racing is 351, but this would rise

in the next few days. Last year there were 376 boats.

The boats race during the day and at night eight illuminated boats will be towed

to positions in front of palace before the nightly fireworks display begins.

There will be classical performances and pop concerts in the public parks. Kean said

that to spread the crowd around the city, the committee was authorising concerts

and performances at Wat Phnom, Chroy Changva, Hun Sen Park, Merhu field (National

Museum), the park in front of Wat Botum and the Apsara stage at Psar Chas.