Yin Kakada, 21, International Institute of Cambodia

“Throwing water and playing with powder are things I’d prefer did not happen during Khmer New Year. They can have a bad effect on people who are travelling, and there are people who use such games to take advantage of others by stealing their valuables and doing other illegal things. Travellers who are afraid of such things can have road accidents while trying to avoid them. I want to see happy things, rather than bad things, happen at New Year. I’d recommend that people play traditional Khmer games, not dangerous games.” 

Taing Somathea, 25, National Institute of Business

“Traffic accidents can occur because drivers have drunk too much. Many people probably think such a thing could never happen to them. In addition, some people cause accidents by driving too fast. Cambodians should think hard about this, because I strongly believe such things are preventable – and prevention is better than cure.” 

SomTheara, 24, data management assistant

“The environment around the pagoda is the most important thing people have to think about. Pagodas have become a place for people to get in touch and party, but I hope all young Cambodians realise that a pagoda is a shrine that we cannot do bad things in. Furthermore, I hope all young people and vendors will help clean up around pagodas and their homes.” 

Steve Luon, 21, a student at Raffles International College

“Fire is a bad thing that can destroy everything very quickly. People who are careless with candles and incense at New Year can cause a fire in their house and lose all their possessions. I hope everyone will take care with candles and incense before they go out or go to bed. Also, the way people play cards at New Year is not a good thing, as they can lose everything they have: their house, their car, their motorbike.” 

Seng Huylim, 23, salesperson for a company

“One problem people face every day is the increasing cost of travel. But it really makes itself felt at this time of year, when many people, especially garment workers and others on low

incomes, have to go back to their home towns. And it’s not just the price of bus tickets that is rising – the cost of many goods is also increasing.”