CAMBODIA: Dragon boats and rowers from southeast Asia gather in Cambodia for an annual race

More than 440 colorful dragon boats from all over Cambodia as well as southeast Asia converged on Cambodia's Tonle Sap river on Friday (November 23) kicking off the annual race. The boats, rowed by as many as 70 rowers sped across the choppy water of the river in front of the royal palace in Phnom Penh. "It is exciting, when I see it, it makes me happy so I like it," said Chhim Rith, a rower wearing a yellow T-shirt, the uniform of his team. The water festival, by which the boat races are also known, take place on the full moon of the 12th lunar month and attract hundreds of thousands of people to the capital city. "We have peace now so I don't worry about violence anymore. I don't care about the loser or winner it is good to be happy," said Vong Sam Ath, a spectator. The festival recalls Cambodia's history of defeating its enemies using boats, and King Sihamony also attends the event, lighting an enormous boat festooned with lights which floats around the river in the front of the palace at night. "According to our historical documents, this event represents the victory of our navy over the Cham and also we live in an area with water and the water helps people to farm so we celebrate by holding this event, thanking Preah Kongkea, the water god," said Bou Chhum Serey, organiser of the event. But this years water festival was not all fun. Five Singaporean participants were believed to have drowned after their boat capsized. Their bodies have yet to be found due to the swift current.

ITN Source | November 26, 2007

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