The Khmer New Year, one of Cambodia’s most sacred holidays, is typically celebrated from April 14 to 16. It marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the rainy season, a time when families reunite, homes are cleaned, temples are visited and respect is paid to ancestors.

Across the country, joy and tradition define the celebration. Yet this year, many members of the Cambodian armed forces will mark the occasion far from these festivities, stationed in remote jungle and mountainous areas along Cambodia’s border with Thailand.

For soldiers, such circumstances are not unfamiliar. Military life often requires enduring austere conditions and sacrificing holidays, family time and the routines of ordinary life.

Duty comes first, before family, friends, community and even oneself.

Still, mental toughness and discipline do not erase the reality that this is a difficult life.

During this time of year, the heat and humidity are intense. Soldiers stationed in remote areas must cope with limited access to potable water, food, and other basic necessities. They carry essential supplies on their own to sustain operations.

In many locations, there is little to no infrastructure. Electricity, internet access, and basic comforts such as air conditioning are either unavailable or only intermittently accessible, typically reserved for more established positions.

Recognizing these circumstances is not meant to diminish the joy of those able to celebrate in comfort. Rather, it is an opportunity to reflect with gratitude. While millions of Cambodians gather with loved ones to celebrate the New Year, others stand watch, ensuring the nation’s safety and sovereignty. As we celebrate Khmer New Year, let us take a moment to acknowledge and thank the soldiers who continue to serve, sacrificing so much so that the country may enjoy peace and stability.

— Youk Chhang

Director, Documentation Center of Cambodia

April 10, 2026