Carful Planning Credited With Smooth Run of Water Festival

Just in time for the final races and ceremonial close, the skies opened. But as the 20,000-plus boat racers gathered before King Norodom Sihamoni?s box last night everyone appeared to be in high spirits.

And as officials, visitors and business people took stock yesterday at the end of the three-day Water Festival, most agreed: The carefully planned and slightly subdued celebration had gone off fairly without a hitch.

Eighteen racing boats capsized and 17 people were arrested for petty crimes. Eleven children were separated from their parents. No major traffic accidents occurred. However, one person did drown.

During yesterday?s final races, crowds were at their thickest yet; the mounds of dirt by the footpath along Sisowarh Quay had been loosened and crisscrossed with three days worth of foot traffic, waste collectors seemed to be losing their battle with litter, and spectators spied down the concrete embankments.

Indeed, for one family, the festival has been far from perfect.

Police presume that Ly Thea, 43, drowned on Monday after his Kompong Cham boat capsized during the races. Racers from that boat along with the 17 others that capsized, were rescued without much difficulty, said Kirth Chantharith, spokesman for the National Police, but Mr Thea went missing. His body has not yet been recovered but he is presumed to be dead, according to Mr Chantharith.

?We put more emphasis on safety and security this year to prevent drowning,? said Mr Chantharith, explaining that the festival had seen no other fatalities.

An emphasis on pre-festival planning was credited by other officials for preventing further accidents and crimes.

Phnom Penh Deputy Governor Mann Chhoeun said even the widespread use of the city?s 400 public toilets had gone more smoothly than in years past.

?Before the festival began, we broadcast instructions on how to use the toilets,? said Mr Chhoeun, adding that he had not needed to enforce a threat he made last week to shame those caught defecating in public by having them appear on television.

Yesterday afternoon, the toilets lining Sisowath Quay sported light graffiti but otherwise seemed little worse for wear, though visitors appeared far less enthralled by them than they had been at the festival?s start.

Meanwhile, several tuk-tuk drivers said that, up and down the side streets giving access to the water-front police manning guard posts demanded bribes to allow motorists to pass.

?I pay between 500 and 1,000 riel at each guard post? said driver Hul Ly Hov: With fewer people spending less money, business is down from previous years, he noted. But the money to pass the checkpoints is a necessary expenditure as fer as he?s concerned. There are more customers closer to the riverside.

Police at the traffic posts flanking Mr Ly Hov on the west and east ends of the block denied any such transactions.

?We never make them pay money,? said municipal policeman Chaim Sy. ?We have to keep them from the river to prevent traffic but if they're taking a customer to a hotel for instance, we will let them through. We won't charge them.?

If drivers and vendors alike grumbled over fees, legitimate and not the intended effect was well received by visitors.

National and international tourists alike seemed cheerless at the prospect of the festival?s close.

?Really, it seems vastly calmer and better organized than a similar event in the UK might be,? said a British tourist Norman Crocaer.

And, despite the lackluster sales, food stall owner Yeun Srey Naut said she was not looking forward to tomorrow.

?Many people have come here; after it will be much more difficult to find customers.?

Sourced = The Cambodia Daily