Being one of the oldest city in Cambodia, each family member in Battambang gather together and have a very good holiday. All relatives going to work or study away from home return to celebrate Khmer New Year within the family. This year more people descended from Battambang come to visit their hometown and participate in the cultural and traditional events, especially popular dance like Rom Vong, Lam Leav, Madison, and Saravan. New Year Occasion becomes the most special time for all to enjoy the life and Khmer tradition with warmth of the family gathering. Before Khmer New Year 2013, many people among family did their best to cooperate for the housing decoration for New Year Tevada. They clean the house, throw away the unused materials, and buy new equipment and cloths. Simultaneously, they wash all their cloths to cut off the unlucky to the previous year and to get the fortune for the new year.
On the day of Khmer New Year, each family prepare the food and flower to grant to the monks. Not only for taking to the pagoda, but also the food on the table for welcome to Khmer New Year 2013 is cooked. However, there were less people going to Balat Pagoda as more people migrated to Thailand for job and not returned for Khmer New Year. On the second day, my family went to orchard enjoyed picnic altogether along the national road No. 57A. Unfortunately, there was an accident occurred in Sneung Commune between motorbike and car; two were expected to get the serious injury. Additionally, youth trip or family trip to all famous natural resorts such as Sek Sork, Popus Pechchinda, and Chomlong Kuy was done noisily; many teenagers still kept the old practice of water throwing to each other. In Battambang Town at night, the popular dancing in the village is cooperatively done for already two nights of Khmer New Year 2013. The hope is to wish everyone more success on personal life, business, study and work. "Drive smart, Safe!"
