• Society

Foreign Ambassadors Wish Cambodia Well for Khmer New Year 

• Phoung Vantha
• April 14, 2020 11:16 AM

Despite the official cancelation from Prime Minister Hun Sen, foreign ambassadors from a range of countries have delivered messages of hope and celebrations to the Cambodian people.

PHNOM PENH--While the world grapples with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Cambodia has found itself celebrating a particularly unusual Khmer New Year. Despite the difficulties COVID-19 presents at this time, there has still been an outpouring of celebratory messages from foreign diplomats and ambassadors in Cambodia. 

“I’d like to express the solidarity of the American people with the people of Cambodia, we are good friends and partners,” said United States Ambassador W. Patrick Murphy in a video message posted on the US Embassy in Phnom Penh’s Facebook page.

“This Khmer New Year is a different kind of Khmer New Year as we all work together to fight the global pandemic, we hope you will celebrate well by staying home to keep safe and secure,” said Ambassador Murphy, adding that this was his first Khmer New Year and that he was enjoying the rich culture of Cambodia.

Japanese Ambassador Masahiro Mikami also wished Cambodians well for Khmer New Year.

“The outbreak of Novel Coronavirus puts restrictions on the daily lives of all people in the world, in Cambodia we may not be able to celebrate Khmer New Year as every year,” said Ambassador Mikami, also in a video message. 

“On the occasion of Khmer New Year, let’s wish that together the world will overcome the Novel Coronavirus and that the people of the world will be able to enjoy life like before,” he added.

Similarly, the Australian Ambassador Pablo Kang released a short video in which he wished people of Khmer descent all around the world a happy Khmer New Year.

“Wherever you may be, the Australian Embassy would like to wish everyone a safe and healthy Khmer New Year, together we can win the fight against COVID-19,” said Ambassador Kang.

Meanwhile the French Embassy in Phnom Penh posted to their official Facebook page, “Happy Khmer New Year everyone!  The French Embassy wishes you happy holidays!  Take care of yourself by respecting the necessary precautions.” 

A range of foreign diplomats also took to social media to wish health and happiness on all those celebrating Khmer New Year during the COVID-19 pandemic.