Prime Minister Hun Sen appealed yesterday to revellers to resist the urge to throw water and paint at each other in next week’s Khmer New Year celebrations.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony on Koh Pich, Hun Sen told students that he does not want to see any water or powder paint over Khmer New Year, which will take place from Monday through Wednesday next week.

“I would like to appeal to the youths who play during the Khmer New Year: the powder paint … and throwing of water are not traditional Cambodian games. They can cause many problems,” he said, explaining that these unruly games could lead to traffic accidents and the loss of jewellery.

The premier also urged those who plan to travel to the provinces during the holiday to drive safely.

According to figures from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, fatalities on Cambodia’s roadways increased 3.5 per cent in the first three months of the year compared with the same period in 2013.