One death, three sinkings this year

Only one rower, from Pursat, drowned in this year's Water Festival, organisers said, following a disastrous 2007 that saw five Singaporean racers die after their boat capsized, as well as the death of one Cambodian. But three, boats did sink, said Bou Chomsarey, an undersecretary of state with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Last year's tragedy kept foreign boats out of this week's races, he added. "We didn't have any foreign boats join this year because we didn't invite them," he said.

PPenh closes another festival

Some revellers say better public order made for a more memorable celebration, but a major upset at the boat races has wrecked the year for one rowing crew

A young boy sits on the Phnom Penh riverbank

Wednesday night, watching a Water Festival fireworks

display on the second night of celebrations.

THE last dragon boats had crossed the finish line and the blare of the race announcer's voice over the speaker system had disappeared under the din of a city partying out the final few hours of this year's Water Festival.As the last concussion of the final burst of fireworks faded, Knol Samkol had only one complaint."I thought everything was great, but they only shot off fireworks for a few minutes," she said, standing amid the throng of party goers, talking loudly over the discord of wailing sirens and competing variety shows being played from multiple stages around the riverfront."Last year they launched fireworks for about an hour," the 27-year-old, who had traveled to Phnom Penh from Prey Veng province, added.Other visitors from the countryside commented on the more orderly nature of this year's festival, saying city officials had done a good job of curbing the chaos that often overtook previous celebrations, when millions of people descended on the city and partied unfettered for three days. Better than before"I come to join this ceremony every year, but I think this year I was happier than others because everything was so well organised, even the public parks," said Battambang native Ros Veasna, referring to the open spaces that had before become impromptu tent villages for crowds of rural folk with nowhere to stay."There is a difference between this year and before." I HAD HOPED WE WOULD KEEP OUR NUMBER ONE PLACE BUT WE LOST. City officials before the festival sought to "beautify" the city's riverside neighbourhoods in anticipation of the coming crowds. But their sometimes heavy-handed approach earned them criticism from rights groups, which said homeless people and other undesirables were simply being detained, out of sight.For Knol Samkol, city officials simply did not offer enough distractions beyond the obvious boats races and kerb-side shopping."The government should try to develop more for people to do during the Water Festival," she said.Major upsetThis year saw a major upset among the dragon boat heavies, with a 10-year winning streak by the Kirivong Sok Senchey being broken in the championship race."We never dared to think we would win against that boat, but after we beat 84 others, we took the No 1 prize," said Ly Phal, a 33-year-old rower on the Preah Tineang Chang Han Hoy Sen Chestda, which took first place this year."I can bring honour back to my province and we will try to keep our No 1 place in the coming years," said the Kandal province native. The Kirivong's manager, Oum Chhun Streng, was dumbstruck. "I never thought my boat would get second place because we are faster," he said."I had hoped we would keep our No 1 place, but we lost, and I really don't know why," he added. "Maybe we have some mistakes with our technique."

Hok Lundy's "secret" mission to Svay Rieng: To relax himself away from the crowd?

Hok Lundy complained that he was not happy during the Independence Day celebration

In the morning of 09 November, Hok Lundy was among the VIPs who were present at the commemoration of the 55th National Independence at the Monument of Independence. He was all smile when King Sihamoni went to shake hands with government leaders who were lining up for the occasion. A high-ranking government official said that after the lighting of the victory candle at the Monument of Independence, Hok Lundy went on to watch the parade in front of the Royal Palace as well. The same official indicated that at the end of the parade, Hok Lundy complained that he was not too happy in his mind on that day, he wanted to go relax somewhere far from the crowd. Next, Hok Lundy said that in the evening of 09 November, he will travel to his villa in Bavet to relax himself up. After Hok Lundy’s accident took place, the official above then remembered what Hok Lundy told him before he died.

'Progress' in Thailand-Cambodia row

Tensions near the ancient Preah Vihear temple

had threatened to escalate into all-out war [Reuters]

Foreign ministers of Thailand and Cambodia say they have made progress in resolving a festering border dispute, and have agreed on steps to begin demarcating disputed territory that sparked a deadly military clash last month.Following talks in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, the two sides said they had also tentatively agreed to redeploy their troops and clear land mines in the area near the ancient Preah Vihear temple."We have made a big practical step forward," Hor Namhong, Cambodia's foreign minister, said at a press conference after the meeting.

Day 1 of Bon Om Touk (Boat Race Festival)

Boat rowers practise for the annual Water Festival

boat race on the Mekong river in Phnom Penh

November 10, 2008. About 29,000 oarsmen

in more than 420 boats will compete in the three-day race from November 11 to 13.