October 31st 2006DPA
Celebrations to mark former Cambodian king Norodom Sihanouk's 84th birthday were low key Tuesday, marked with fireworks and a public holiday but little fanfare.
The royalist Funcinpec party marked the occasion with a celebration, and banks and most public offices closed as a mark of respect for the still much loved former king, but celebrations were muted compared to recent years with Sihanouk still absent from Cambodia.
Sihanouk remains in Beijing undergoing routine medical treatment and had already made it clear he would not return in time to celebrate either his birthday or the traditional Water Festival celebrations later this week which mark the end of the monsoon season.
Still revered as a living god by many rural Cambodians, Sihanouk is widely regarded as the father of Cambodia's independence from colonial rule by France and his presence in the palace is equated with stability by many ordinary Khmers, although he spends increasingly long periods of time away from his homeland in either China or North Korea.
Since abdicating in favour of his son, King Norodom Sihamoni, in October 2004 citing his age and poor health, the mercurial former monarch has increasingly drawn himself out of the limelight.
In recent years he has made this clear by at one point requesting that his image not be displayed in the streets and asking loyal subjects and admirers not to send birthday gifts.
The colourful former king has also repeatedly stated via his online blog that he will not return to or become embroiled in politics in any form despite recent requests to do so by some others in the royal family as Funcinpec, the party which traces its roots back to him, fell into increasing internal disarray.
Sihanouk suffers from a number of health concerns including diabetes, colon cancer and high blood pressure, but has appeared contented and in good health during recent royal returns to Cambodia.
Earlier this year he announced that Chinese doctors had successfully treated his colon cancer and appeared to have sent it back into remission.
The royalist Funcinpec party marked the occasion with a celebration, and banks and most public offices closed as a mark of respect for the still much loved former king, but celebrations were muted compared to recent years with Sihanouk still absent from Cambodia.
Sihanouk remains in Beijing undergoing routine medical treatment and had already made it clear he would not return in time to celebrate either his birthday or the traditional Water Festival celebrations later this week which mark the end of the monsoon season.
Still revered as a living god by many rural Cambodians, Sihanouk is widely regarded as the father of Cambodia's independence from colonial rule by France and his presence in the palace is equated with stability by many ordinary Khmers, although he spends increasingly long periods of time away from his homeland in either China or North Korea.
Since abdicating in favour of his son, King Norodom Sihamoni, in October 2004 citing his age and poor health, the mercurial former monarch has increasingly drawn himself out of the limelight.
In recent years he has made this clear by at one point requesting that his image not be displayed in the streets and asking loyal subjects and admirers not to send birthday gifts.
The colourful former king has also repeatedly stated via his online blog that he will not return to or become embroiled in politics in any form despite recent requests to do so by some others in the royal family as Funcinpec, the party which traces its roots back to him, fell into increasing internal disarray.
Sihanouk suffers from a number of health concerns including diabetes, colon cancer and high blood pressure, but has appeared contented and in good health during recent royal returns to Cambodia.
Earlier this year he announced that Chinese doctors had successfully treated his colon cancer and appeared to have sent it back into remission.
8 comments:
I think during his 84 th birth, we should some human bones of whom he has killed them since 1975. He like to kill all his opponents like hun sen and I belived human bones for his birth present is very appropriated.
Happy birthday. Enjoy your new future and whealth donated by Ranariddh
It is amazing that he can still remember everything and functioning as usual. What is your secret to stay healthy? We mean mentally healthy.
We hope it's not because you are so conscious of so many bad things happening during your reign.
It is amazing that he can still remember everything and functioning as usual. What is your secret to stay healthy? We mean mentally healthy.
We hope it's not because you are so conscious of so many bad things happening during your reign.
smoking opium and pumping more viagra . . . .
Don't come home mad man, stay there for ever.
This is about time that all the spirits of all those killed by his order, come to him and ask their life back.
I think Pol Pot, Moa Ste Tong, Kim Ill Song are waiting to reunite in heel. The way he treated people of Cambodia. Recently he applause with Kim Jong Ill in North Korea for nuclear testing. He is a North Korea pulpet. Go to heel Sihanouk!!!
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