PHNOM PENH, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen on Thursday reminded teenagers to avoid doing anything that goes against Cambodian tradition on the Valentine's Day.
"Today, I don't want to talk about politics, but I want to speak to all grandchildren who have just become teenagers. You all have already known what you should do and what you should not do on Valentine's Day," he said in a Facebook post.
"What I say does not mean to interfere in youths' internal affairs, but disrespect for Khmer culture is not the affairs of young men and women," he said.
"When I and my wife were youths, at that time, we were in the war. Even though we loved each other very much, we had to respect each other, followed tradition and struggled together until we became a couple that was recognized by the society," Hun Sen said.
Although it is not part of Cambodia's culture, Valentine's Day has started to have more influence on Cambodian youths over the past years.
Florist Nisay Socheata, 36, said on Thursday that demand for roses is very high on the day, as people buy them for their beloved ones.
"Today, the sales are very good, every year, I sell flowers beside the Independence Monument, and customers, either office workers or families, always come to buy them here," she told Xinhua. "This bunch has 20 roses, and I sell it for 45 U.S. dollars - the price varies based on design styles."
The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts earlier this week called on young people to avoid sexual misconduct on the day, saying that they should use the day to express love to people around themselves, such as family members, parents, spouses, and relatives as well as disabled people, orphans and the poor.
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports also reminded students that Valentine's Day is not the day for sweethearts to go on dates for any unusual activities.
