Many Foreign Dignitaries To Join the Late King-Father’s Cremation

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen this morning said many foreign leaders at the ranks of Prime Minister, Vice President, Speaker of the House of Representatives will attend the upcoming late King-Father Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk’s cremation.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony of Pannasatra University of Cambodia, Samdech Techo Hun Sen also called on the people in Phnom Penh to be tolerant during the ceremony as some roads will be closed and security and public order will be reinforced.

According to Samdech Techo Hun Sen, during the royal cremation ceremony, there will be artillery shootings when the late King-Father’s body is moved from the Royal Palace, when the body is moved into the crematorium and when the body is cremated.

Last week, Cambodian Information Minister H.E. Khieu Kanharith told reporters that French Prime Minister H.E. Jean-Marc Ayrault and President of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference H.E. Jia Qinglin as well as senior officials from India and the ASEAN member countries will join the forthcoming royal cremation.

Cambodia is going to hold the official cremation ceremony for late King-Father Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk on Feb. 4 at the open square of Veal Preah Merhu in front of the National Museum, next to the Royal Palace. The procession of moving King-Father’s body from the Royal Palace to Veal Preah Merhu will take place on Feb. 1.

The procession and the cremation ceremony will be live broadcast through the country’s radio stations and TV channels.

Cambodia has recently announced the 2nd official mourning period for the late King-Father to be held from Feb. 1-7. During the mourning period, the national flags must be flying at 1/3 below the top of the mast across the country, while entertainment activities including TV and radio entertainment programs have to be suspended.

King-Father Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk passed away on Oct. 15, 2012 at 01:20 am (local time in Phnom Penh) in Beijing, China at the age of 90 from natural causes.

Sourced: AKP