By:
• Michelle Vachon

• 11, July 2020 , 5:48 AM

Cambodians and expats should make the trip while tourist arrivals are rare, they say

The Phare BBand music video and live concert has one message for people in the country: Come to Siem Reap City and visit Angkor while tourists are away and you can have Angkor Wat to yourself!

In its video launched on Saturday (July 11) on Facebook and YouTube at 5:55 pm followed by a live concert streamed at 6 pm also on YouTube and Facebook, the Phare BBand makes this invitation in its own Khmer reggae music style.

Why now? Because at the end of the month, several activities will resume in the country including performances of Phare, The Cambodian Circus in Siem Reap, said Huot Dara, Phare’s CEO.

Earlier this month, the Cambodian government allowed the reopening of casinos, KTVs (karaoke establishments) and entertainment venues that had been ordered to close last March to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The Phare BBand performs Khmer reggae music during a concert. Photo: Yun Ranuth

Since then, Dara said, “We all have tried to survive and stay healthy and positive.”

Even if the government had not taken this measure last March, there would have been very few tourists in Siem Reap by early April, Dara said, as the pandemic has curbed travel worldwide.

However, with the relaunch of some activities, this is the perfect opportunity for those living in the country and especially Cambodians to visit Siem Reap Province, he said—they will be able tour the Angkor Archeological Park without running into groups or having to wait anywhere.

But the message that the Phare BBand also wants to convey is that there is more to do in Siem Reap than just visiting Angkor, Dara said.

So people should plan to spend several days when they come, he added.

The Phare BBand video can accessed at 5:55 pm on July 11 at:  https://youtu.be/3n72ytTm-00

The band live concert can be accessed at 6 pm on July 11 at: https://youtu.be/1FNgODmIF30