Phnom Penh: Cambodian government spokesman Pen Bona said that the government spent approximately 3 million baht on travel expenses for citizens to visit their hometowns during the Khmer New Year holiday.
In the statement Regarding the Cambodia-Thailand border situation on April 22, Mr. Pen Bona said that the Royal Government will help pay for the travel expenses of approximately 3 million baht for citizens during the New Year. He said that under the attention and direct guidance of Samdech Thip Dei Hun Manet, Prime Minister, the Phnom Penh Municipal Administration has organized free bus transportation services for citizens traveling to their hometowns during the recent Khmer New Year.
The spokesperson stated that in the six days from April 12-17, 2026, nearly 120,000 citizens received free transportation services. This is an increase of 39% compared to last year.
He added, “On average, a citizen spends about 100,000 riels, or $25, on commuting during the New Year holiday. Therefore, the free bus service has helped reduce the total cost by about 12 billion riels, or about $3 million.”
Mr. Pen Bona claimed that this money was injected into the local economy through the expenses of the people in their hometowns, instead of the travel expenses that the state paid for. Therefore, the intervention of the Royal Government in providing free transportation services not only helped to ease the burden of the people, but also served as a catalyst to help increase the income of the people at the local level as a whole.
The spokesperson emphasized that at this point, the people have more clearly understood the meaning of the leaders’ words that the border issue should not be allowed to hinder other sectors that are socio-economic.
