The Khmer calendar, known as Sakarach (សករាជ), is a lunisolar calendar used in Cambodia. It determines traditional holidays, Buddhist observance days (Thngai Sil), and astrological events. For the year 1987 in the Gregorian calendar, the corresponding Buddhist Era year was 2530 (beginning around April 13–14, 1987).

Here is a breakdown of key dates, the new year transition, and major holidays for that year.

On the full moon of Asoch (Oct 7, 1987), Lent ends. Then follows a month of Kathina—a robe-offering ceremony. In 1987, communities across Cambodia and the diaspora raised funds to buy new robes for monks. It was a time of joy and generosity.

The Khmer calendar relies on complex astronomical formulas for determining the precise moment of Moha Songkran (sun entering Aries). Slight variations exist between the calendar used in Cambodia (based on the Chulasakarat era + 638) and that used by Thai Khmer communities. Additionally, in 1987, many original calendar manuscripts were destroyed under the Khmer Rouge (1975–79). Survivors reconstructed the calendar from memory and from surviving monks who had fled to refugee camps. Therefore, some diaspora communities observed holidays one day off from those inside Cambodia.

Nevertheless, for the vast majority of Cambodians in 1987—whether in a rice field in Kampong Cham, a garment factory in Phnom Penh, a resettlement camp in Thailand, or a kitchen in Seattle—the Khmer calendar was not a relic of the past but a living, breathing structure that gave order to a world still trying to heal.

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In summary, 1987 in the Khmer calendar was a year of the Fire Cat, anchored by a New Year on April 13–15, marked by the quiet resurgence of Buddhist practice after a near-extinction, and observed by a people who, against all odds, kept their celestial time alive.

The Khmer calendar for 1987 is a unique intersection of traditional Cambodian timekeeping and modern civil administration. While the world predominantly used the Gregorian calendar, Cambodians continued to track life, festivals, and spiritual milestones through the Chântôkôtĕ (Khmer lunar calendar). 1. Zodiac and Year Naming: The Fire Rabbit

In the Khmer zodiac, the year 1987 is primarily known as the Year of the Rabbit (Chnam Thos). Under the 60-year cyclical system, 1987 is specifically categorized as the year of the Fire Rabbit. Animal Sign: Rabbit (Thos). Element: Fire.

Characteristics: Those born in 1987 are often described as vigilant, witty, and ingenious, though they may also be sensitive or hesitant.

Buddhist Era (B.E.): The year 1987 falls within the Buddhist Era of 2530–2531. The Khmer system adds 543 or 544 years to the Gregorian year to reach the B.E. count. 2. Structure of the 1987 Khmer Calendar

The Khmer calendar is lunisolar, meaning it synchronizes lunar phases with the solar year to ensure seasons do not drift.

A useful feature of the Khmer calendar for the year 1987 is its direct compatibility with the upcoming year 2026. Because 1987 was a common year starting on a Thursday, its full day-and-date alignment repeats in 2026, meaning a physical 1987 calendar can be reused perfectly. 1987 Khmer Calendar Profile

In the traditional Khmer lunisolar system (Chântôkôtĕ), 1987 is defined by several unique cultural markers:

Buddhist Era (B.E.): For most of the year, it was 2530 B.E. (calculated by adding 543 years to the Gregorian year). Zodiac Animal: 1987 was the Year of the Rabbit (Thoh).

The "Sak" Cycle: Every year in the Khmer calendar has a numerical suffix from 1 to 10 (Sâk). 1987 was a Nôppasâk year (the 9th year of the decade cycle).

New Year (Choul Chnam Thmey): The Khmer New Year in 1987 began around April 14, marking the transition from the Year of the Tiger to the Year of the Rabbit. Useful Conversion Reference Gregorian Date Khmer Calendar Attribute Jan 1 – April 13, 1987 Year of the Tiger, 2530 B.E. April 14 – Dec 31, 1987 Year of the Rabbit, 2531 B.E. (after New Year) Zodiac Animal (Thoh) Repeating Year 2026 (Same days/dates)