Angkor Songkran 2015 in Siem Reap, Cambodia

For Trip/Travel planning purposes, please note the actual dates and the extended dates for the major Cambodian national holiday of 2015 are:
Official National Holliday dates for Khmer New Year (KNY) 2015 are: April, Tuesday 14th, Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th.
But note, however, that in reality, this national holiday will be extended by all who can get away with it, such as government officials/offices and the like so as to start on Saturday 11th and extend through until start of business on Monday 20th.
And for the information of travellers over this period who have not experienced a previous KNY, please note as follows and plan your travels accordingly.
Please note carefully that all Royal Government of Cambodia Offices will be closed for these dates and that many may start and end their departmental holidays some days earlier and later than this as this permits staff to travel to their homelands.
Banks and financial institutions also close over this period but ATMs will operate as will some Bureau de Changes in tourist areas. Local money changers will continue to operate most days of the holidays. But some ATMs will undoubtedly "run dry" during the holiday period so please be prepared for this eventuality.
Major Markets will more or less continue unchanged, except for the official holiday dates, but some stallholders will close on some days of the holidays to allow the owners/operators some time off during this holiday period. The Phnom Penh Night market will operate throughout the official holiday dates.


The Khmer New Year is not a single day holiday as it is in many countries but more of a rolling event. As such, most organizations will roster staff so that staff can at least get one or more days off during this holiday period so some short staffing may be expected in the Tourism, Hospitality and related industries and services.
And it is the custom for better employer organizations to pay their staff a 13th month salary for Khmer New Year as an annual bonus and to assist their staff travel to/from often distant homelands and to have money to take home with them to share with their family.
Transport booking need to be made early as demand on all forms of transport will be very high indeed as Cambodians travel to/from homeland areas for family reunions. Transport fares also rise considerable during this period due to excess demand and to capitalise on this holiday by vehicle owners such as taxi drivers. Bus fares of the major companies stay more or less the same - if you can get a ticket.
KNY is also a very colourful time especially at the major temples and, observing the protocols for entering temple grounds and buildings, you will be most welcome to come and observe and take photos etc. But please note the requirements for hats to be removed prior to entering the grounds of a temple and for footwear by both genders to be removed in certain places. If entering temple ground women need to be respectfully dressed even if not actually entering a temple building.