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In Pictures: Cambodia’s wild water festival

After 2010 stampede killed nearly 350 people, festival celebrating the end of the rainy season made a raucous return.

Boat racers and their families from all over Cambodia flocked to the capital Phnom Penh for this year(***)s water festival.
By Gareth Bright
Published On 11 Nov 2014

Phnom Penh, Cambodia – The Cambodian water festival, known to locals as Bon Om Tuk, saw its long-awaited return to the kingdom of Cambodia’s capital last week. The festival had been cancelled for the last three years after a stampede on an overcrowded bridge killed nearly 350 people in 2010.

The water festival is an annual three-day event that takes place in early November to celebrate the end of the rainy season in the Southeast Asian nation. It also marks the reversal of the Tonle Sap River’s flow – the only river in the world to reverse directions.

The festival draws crowds in the millions who come to watch daily boat races, and the river and its banks become a hive of activity. Cambodian boat teams, spectators, supporters, street vendors and tourists come from far and wide to enjoy and capitalise on the event.

Although crowd numbers dwindled this year in comparison to previous ones, the festival was welcomed back to Phnom Penh with great joy and enthusiasm by attendees.

Racers ready themselves on the shoreline of the Tonle Sap River before heading out on the first morning of racing.
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Brahman priests dressed in white are led to the opening gala event by the Royal Guard, dressed in traditional uniform, on the opening day of the water festival.
King Norodom Sihamoni is greeted on arrival by Cambodia(***)s Prime Minister Hun Sen at this year(***)s opening gala.
Boat racers on the banks of the Tonle Sap ahead of opening-day races.
Large crowds of supporters and festival goers line the river banks of the Tonle Sap during this year(***)s festival.
Boat racing teams and supporters line the banks of the river.
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Racing boats move into position on the Tonle Sap during this year(***)s water festival in Phnom Penh. 
Racing boats make their way towards the finish line on the Tonle Sap. 
A boat racer and two team mascots in traditional dress wait offshore.
Although crowd support was less than in previous years, there were many who travelled from far and wide to enjoy this year(***)s water festival, many of whom chose the lawns in front of the grand palace to relax and take a break from the congested waterfront nearby .
Following the stampede of 2010, and the usual influx of petty crime at such events, police and military presence was in no short supply.
Families enjoy the festive atmosphere of the festival.
Vendors, beggars, and street sellers of all types flocked into the capital hoping to capitalise on the crowds attending this year(***)s water festival.
Every evening crowds gather to enjoy the nightly fireworks display at this year(***)s water festival.