As the New Year Sankranta of the Year of the Horse, Atthasak, Buddhist Era 2570 approached, Pursat Provincial Council Chairman ម៉ក់ រ៉ា, Provincial Governor ខូយ រីដា and colleagues prayed to the sacred powers traditionally associated with Oknha Khleang Moeung and Lady ខាន់ ខៀវ. They asked for protection, good health, strength and alert minds for front-line troops guarding the border, so that Khmer territory might be preserved, free from incursions by those whom their prayer described as Thai enemies coveting the land.
The ceremony was held on Friday afternoon, April 10, 2026, following Buddhist and Brahmanical traditions, with members of the Provincial Council and Board of Governors and other provincial officials attending.
The provincial leaders and participants paid deep respect to Oknha Khleang Moeung’s heroism. In the historical legend surrounding him, he is described as a loyal commander with great supernatural powers during the reign of King ច័ន្ទរាជា.
The tradition presents him and his wife as symbols of supreme sacrifice: they chose to leap into a pit to summon a spirit army to help win a battle and drive out the Siamese enemy then invading Khmer territory.
The prayers also asked the guardian’s powers to bless the head of Cambodia’s government with success in resolving the Cambodia–Thailand border dispute through international legal mechanisms and peaceful means rather than weapons, for lasting peace. They sought sufficient seasonal rain, abundant agricultural harvests and freedom from disease for the people.
Pursat’s leaders also prayed for peace, prosperity and auspiciousness for residents of the province and all Cambodians, wishing them safe journeys near and far during the traditional New Year of the Horse and joyful family celebrations under peace. By: Pai Sokhim.
