When it comes to holidays, Cambodians can feel sorry for other countries. While some consider themselves lucky because they have more than 10 official holidays a year, Cambodia has 28 days, almost a month.
The South-Eastern Asian Kingdom tops the world’s list in the number of public holidays, followed by Sri Lanka with 25, while India and Kazakhstan have 21 days.
According to the German News Agency, the public holidays in Cambodia highlight the country’s complicated history, as well as the unusual confusion between socialism, Buddhism and royalty.
All the country’s population – 97 percent of them - are Buddhist, which explains the reason behind the great number of religious holidays.
Although the family of King Norodom Sihamoni prefers to stay away from lights, they are widely respected and appreciated among the people: the King's birthday is a holiday, as well as his mother's birthday, the date of his father's death and the day of his crowning.
In addition, there are holidays to commemorate Cambodia's independence from France, the end of the Khmer Rouge regime, the signature of the Constitution, and the signature of Paris Peace Agreements in 1991.
Public holidays also include Labor Day, International Women's Day, Children's Day and Human Rights Day.
Most Cambodians take full advantage of their abundant holidays, with many of them visiting family members across the country or heading to the beach.
In the capital, Phnom Penh, the ambiance is calmer during the holidays, which may be extended for an appropriate period.
For example, the three-day holiday to celebrate the new Cambodian year, which takes place in mid-April each year, may last for about two weeks.
