Noise Wars at Khmer New Year: Phnom Penh's Riverside Turns into a Sonic Battlefield

Every April, Phnom Penh celebrates the Khmer New Year. Amid purification rites, traditional dances, and family reunions, tourists and expats expect a festive and authentic atmosphere.

Yet, in recent years, a very different reality has taken hold along the famous Sisowath Quay promenade: a volume war waged by a local beverage brand.

“We apologize for this noise pollution” – the message from a desperate restaurateur

Along the waterfront road, many establishments welcome their customers with a written note of apology, now almost a ritual:

“We are sincerely sorry for the extremely loud promotional events and concerts organized by a local brand during Khmer New Year. This is not what you expect when coming to dine or enjoy the 'traditional' festivities.”

One customer even shared a sound level measurement from their favorite restaurant. Result: peaks easily exceeding 85 dB – a threshold beyond which prolonged exposure can damage hearing. For comparison, residential areas typically allow 45 to 55 dB at night.

Blasting music, health at risk

These levels aren't just unpleasant: they're dangerous. The World Health Organization reminds us that exposure to 85 dB for more than eight hours, or just a few minutes at 100 dB, leads to irreversible cochlear damage.

During the four days of festivities, promotional concerts and advertising jingles pound the quay from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (or later). Families with young children, the elderly, and even servers are exposed without protection. The irony: most foreign and local visitors come seeking authentic Khmer cultural spectacles – traditional music, popular games, Apsara dance – but leave with ringing ears from aggressive sonic marketing.

So, how can you enjoy Khmer New Year without risking your hearing?

Quay restaurateurs have had to adapt. Their advice, posted in multiple languages:

Enjoy the terrace in the morning and early afternoon: before the concerts ramp up, the vibe remains peaceful.

From 6 p.m., head to the ground-floor indoor room: the walls dampen some of the decibels.

Return to the terrace after 10 p.m.: once the promotions and ad pitches quiet down, the air becomes breathable again. Cocktail in hand, you can then listen to the city catch its breath.

“Noise makes you deaf” – Phil Javelle's alarm cry on social media

This observation, from long-time Cambodia resident Phil Javelle, was expressed with rare force on social media. Here's his comment, translated from English:

“It's extremely concerning. The noise pollution in Cambodia has reached a peak that's no longer tolerable. And don't think this is part of 'the culture' – that's absurd. I've lived here since 2009, and I've never been able to tolerate the sound levels at any local venue or event, let alone those blasting their smartphones or tablets at max volume in public spaces.

“I never go out without ear protection. I'm always stunned that my Cambodian musician colleagues never complain about the ignorance and nuisances displayed by so-called 'sound engineers' at every concert or event. It means they're already suffering significant hearing loss. Just like workers in bars and clubs, such as those on Pub Street in Siem Reap.

“Just walking there at night is unbearable. Noise makes you deaf, but it also damages the brain, heart, and liver, exposing you to risks of dementia, strokes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic disorders. It's time to wake up and stop this madness.”

A testimony that reminds us the problem isn't limited to Khmer New Year, nor even to Phnom Penh's quays: it's systemic, with health consequences far broader than hearing loss alone.

A call for collective responsibility

Traditional festivals shouldn't require ear protection like a rock concert. While brands' energy is understandable, it's time for municipal authorities and organizers to set reasonable limits – for example, 75 dB daytime and 55 dB at night – to preserve both public health and the authenticity of the celebrations.

In the meantime, a big thank you to customers who continue supporting the quay's small businesses. Their patience and testimonies (like that famous dB reading) are the first tools of awareness.

See you soon, with or without advertising mascots – but always with a smile (and intact hearing).