AKP Phnom Penh, October 9, 2026 --

Cambodians living, working or studying in Phnom Penh have begun returning to their hometowns to reunite with their families for the Pchum Ben Festival.

Early this morning, many people gathered at bus stops across the capital to board public buses provided free of charge by the Royal Government for the annual holiday.

H.E. Heng Sour, Minister of Labour and Vocational Training, and H.E. Khuong Sreng, Governor of Phnom Penh, accompanied by their colleagues, saw off travellers at a bus stop at Russey Keo Public Park in Khan Russey Keo, Phnom Penh.

Around 100 buses are being deployed to provide free transport services within Phnom Penh, while another 500 buses are operating between the capital and the provinces from Oct. 9 to 13.

The service aims to reduce people's travel expenses during the annual Pchum Ben Festival, also known as the Festival of the Dead, which falls this year from Oct. 10 to 12.

Large numbers of people are expected to return to their hometowns, visit pagodas, travel to tourist destinations and take part in various recreational activities during Pchum Ben, one of Cambodia's biggest annual festivals.

By C. Nika