Former Cambodian King Norodom SihanoukCambodia's 'demoralised' ex-king celebrates quiet birthday
PHNOM PENH (AFP) — A seemingly despondent Norodom Sihanouk, Cambodia's former monarch, quietly passed his 85th birthday Wednesday amid muted public celebrations, the palace said.
Saying that Sihanouk was "very elderly, very weak, very demoralised," the palace said in a statement that the former king, once known for his vibrant public persona, was increasingly disturbed by "unnecessary" emails, telegrams and faxes from well-wishers.
In a separate statement, the palace pleaded with supporters "to not call on him, to not dispatch to him messages of greetings and congratulations, even on the occasion of his birthday."
Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh was decorated with only one large portrait of Sihanouk, who grandfatherly visage used to be commonplace throughout the city.
Palace officials said Wednesday he had marked his birthday with a low-key Buddhist ceremony, accompanied by family and monks.
Sihanouk, who suffers from a number of serious illnesses, including cancer, is expected to travel to China for medical check-ups during this year's Water Festival, one of the country's largest holidays which begins next month.
Sihanouk, one of Asia's longest-serving monarchs, abruptly quit the throne in October 2004 in favor of his elder son, Norodom Sihamoni, citing old age and health problems.
Despite giving up his role as king, he remains a popular figure, particularly among rural Cambodians.
Saying that Sihanouk was "very elderly, very weak, very demoralised," the palace said in a statement that the former king, once known for his vibrant public persona, was increasingly disturbed by "unnecessary" emails, telegrams and faxes from well-wishers.
In a separate statement, the palace pleaded with supporters "to not call on him, to not dispatch to him messages of greetings and congratulations, even on the occasion of his birthday."
Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh was decorated with only one large portrait of Sihanouk, who grandfatherly visage used to be commonplace throughout the city.
Palace officials said Wednesday he had marked his birthday with a low-key Buddhist ceremony, accompanied by family and monks.
Sihanouk, who suffers from a number of serious illnesses, including cancer, is expected to travel to China for medical check-ups during this year's Water Festival, one of the country's largest holidays which begins next month.
Sihanouk, one of Asia's longest-serving monarchs, abruptly quit the throne in October 2004 in favor of his elder son, Norodom Sihamoni, citing old age and health problems.
Despite giving up his role as king, he remains a popular figure, particularly among rural Cambodians.
16 comments:
Happy 86th, your Highness (Somdach Euv)!!! And may God give you 86 more!!!
Chey Yoh, Kampuchea!
what sihaknuk has to loose ?He still famous on two million it citizen bones,when killing field created by khmer rouge ,Sihaknuk and Vietnam,he has not feel like he sad for Cambodian people at all does he?
Nothing....
we loose our families, house ect..
He earn everything for his families.
It had be said that thou shall not toyed with thy lord's gift (Sihanouk) from heaven.
Since when birthday celebrations have become part of Khmer tradition? Are they not "western" or "Christian"?
According to Buddha, human beings are suffering from their birth and when to flee the earth to live in heaven or to enter nivana to escape such suffering.
Please help me to find out the origin of birthday celebrations in Cambodia.
LAO Mong Hay, Hong Kong
Hello Dr. Lao,
I hope that you would be able to entertain us about Cambodian's birtday celbration tradition while my research yields nothing about it. I personally, even as a cambodian-American (raised in America) do not celebrate birthday.
[Som auy loke Dr. Lao mearn ayouk yeun you, orkun].
Passer-by
We petit peuple,we need peace,we need independence,we need Real International justice,we're human like you and chinese or vietnamese.Cambodia belong to us KHMERS(Khmer leu,khmer kandal,khmer krom,khmer Surin,khmer US,Khmer FR,...khmer du monde)...Alors!
Happy birth day SAMAKMITH POUK
Indeed it is western celebration, Dr.Lao, and that is the problem. I mean it leads to greed, evilsm, and destruction.
We (Khmer) only observe our birthday every 12 years according to Asian zodiac cycle.
Well if you don't like western culture, stop driving your car,stop using computer,telephone etc...just go backward and start living as stone age again.
Hey, in case you haven't noticed it. There is a huge differences between culture and innovation. So stop linking the two things together.
Now, if you don't want us to use your innovation, then you must stop using ours also, fair?
Ma Choy Euy!
Ma Happy Birthday Sadat Ov Beida Att Reak!
Choyo Sadatt Ta Xisanok!
Chetroy!
Messrs.7:00PM and 11:56PM
Thank you very much for your help. I'm very grateful to you.
Best wishes.
LAO Mong Hay, Hong Kong
Pandit 1:33 AM, can you entertain us the difference between an open-minded person and a hypocrite?
Happy Birth day Mon Camarade!!!!
Nyuen Ay Koy-(nephew of Nyuen Ay Quoc)
Happy Birth Nos vieux Camarade !!!
Nyuen Ay Quoc & Le Duc Koy, Chou En Koy, Mao Tse Koy & Kim Il Koy
Can Khmers stop picking fight for something like birthday celebration?
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