Prince Norodom Ranariddh meets supporters after touching down at Siem Reap airport on Sunday after more than a year in self-imposed exile in Malaysia. He told reporters that he is ready to serve the nation. (Photo: HENG CHIVOAN)Monday, 29 September 2008
Written by Post Staff
The Phnom Penh Post
Prince Ranariddh has returned from 18 months of self-imposed exile in Malaysia, dodging his 2007 prison sentence for fraud
AFTER 18 months in self-imposed exile, Norodom Ranariddh set foot on Cambodian soil Sunday, just days after a royal amnesty from King Norodom Sihamoni overturned the Prince's fraud conviction.
The Prince touched down at Siem Reap airport Sunday morning accompanied by his female companion Ouk Phalla, his son Norodom Sotheariddh and a group of close advisers.
"I'm happy to return to my homeland after 18 months of exile," the Prince told the Post at his royal residence in Siem Reap. "I wish to express my deep thanks to the King and Prime Minister Hun Sen for allowing my return."
Prince Ranariddh has been living in Malaysia since March 2007, when he was sentenced to 18 months in jail for embezzling funds from the sale of property belonging to his former party, Funcinpec. The King issued a royal amnesty for the Prince on Thursday on the request of Prime Minister Hun Sen, formerly Ranariddh's main political rival.
Despite past tensions between the two politicians, Prince Ranariddh struck a conciliatory note on Sunday, pledging his party's support for Hun Sen's new government. "I have served my nation for almost 25 years. But after the July election, the Norodom Ranariddh Party [NRP] is not an opposition party like other parties, and we are ready, on any occasion, to serve our nation," he said.
NRP spokesman Suth Dina told the Post that Prince Ranariddh spoke with Prime Minister Hun Sen on the telephone shortly after his arrival in Siem Reap and that they exchanged words of reconciliation. "They told each other that they were like brothers," he said.
Suth Dina added that while Ranariddh was not retiring from political life altogether, he had no immediate plans for a political comeback. "Upon his return, he wishes only to spend time with his family, friends and colleagues and participate in the P'Chum Ben festival. He has no immediate political agenda," he said, adding that the Prince plans to formally address the Cambodian press on October 2.
Cambodian People's Party lawmaker Cheam Yeap said Sunday that the Prince's return was a symbol of national reconciliation.
"When Prince Ranariddh arrives back and asks the CPP leaders to meet, the Prince will be welcomed. The CPP doesn't care about Ranariddh's politics, whether he continues to be involved in politics or not," he said.
AFTER 18 months in self-imposed exile, Norodom Ranariddh set foot on Cambodian soil Sunday, just days after a royal amnesty from King Norodom Sihamoni overturned the Prince's fraud conviction.
The Prince touched down at Siem Reap airport Sunday morning accompanied by his female companion Ouk Phalla, his son Norodom Sotheariddh and a group of close advisers.
"I'm happy to return to my homeland after 18 months of exile," the Prince told the Post at his royal residence in Siem Reap. "I wish to express my deep thanks to the King and Prime Minister Hun Sen for allowing my return."
Prince Ranariddh has been living in Malaysia since March 2007, when he was sentenced to 18 months in jail for embezzling funds from the sale of property belonging to his former party, Funcinpec. The King issued a royal amnesty for the Prince on Thursday on the request of Prime Minister Hun Sen, formerly Ranariddh's main political rival.
Despite past tensions between the two politicians, Prince Ranariddh struck a conciliatory note on Sunday, pledging his party's support for Hun Sen's new government. "I have served my nation for almost 25 years. But after the July election, the Norodom Ranariddh Party [NRP] is not an opposition party like other parties, and we are ready, on any occasion, to serve our nation," he said.
NRP spokesman Suth Dina told the Post that Prince Ranariddh spoke with Prime Minister Hun Sen on the telephone shortly after his arrival in Siem Reap and that they exchanged words of reconciliation. "They told each other that they were like brothers," he said.
Suth Dina added that while Ranariddh was not retiring from political life altogether, he had no immediate plans for a political comeback. "Upon his return, he wishes only to spend time with his family, friends and colleagues and participate in the P'Chum Ben festival. He has no immediate political agenda," he said, adding that the Prince plans to formally address the Cambodian press on October 2.
Cambodian People's Party lawmaker Cheam Yeap said Sunday that the Prince's return was a symbol of national reconciliation.
"When Prince Ranariddh arrives back and asks the CPP leaders to meet, the Prince will be welcomed. The CPP doesn't care about Ranariddh's politics, whether he continues to be involved in politics or not," he said.
15 comments:
what fraud.....uuuu beleive in it...that hun gov justice is fair to all people.....if so...be it...but...hun and his clan do more damage to our belove country than the prince.....yuon take one side...thai take another side....hun sold all what cambodia has.....even ankor.....gess who "konn" cheyvaramonn vii....?sok kong....because he collect all money from ankor not uuuuu or i or cambodian people.....then uuu never say that any fraud...now cambodia has no land...no tree...no gems at pailin....noooooooo still no fraud..then price fraud is a joke.......
Okay Ranariddh, what is the next corruption are you plan to do?
Hey!!! Stupidity prince, STOP Manupulated the story and Cheating NOW!!!!! Saved the Khmers' lives anf build the future of hope and Glory Don't barking too much let just do it better
No surprise, Ah Khmer-Oversea is so evil. Justice will come to them soon enough. Mark my words.
Yeah! finally Ranaridh does like he did in 1998 and 2003. It is not new for us. Yeah! now Ranaridh goes to under ass of Hun Sen again. He will get some born from Hun Sen after he supports Hun Sen.
Bravo Ranaridh!! You will go to the hell soon by Hun Sen.
This person 1:51AM is Ah Khmer-Oversea also, I don't know what's on his mind. He needs help in the brain. My poor khmer fellow.
Let's put it this way all ah khmer inside and outside.With RANARITH + SAM RAINGSY + HUN SEN together ,then we ,the khmer, can have a formidable unity against the THAI aggression that still occupy our fatherland, and if anyone disagree he or she can go straight to hell.
2:27 AM
Just the Thais? How about the Viets?
IF those dumb khmer folks still trust Ranariddh, let them be. Dumb ass people.
Damn i forgot about yuon 3:37am,yes include viets too.
3:39 am !
we ,the dumb khmer,don't trust RANARITH either but would like to use him for the defense of our country.Don't you think pal?
Ya THIS DOG FLIP -FLOP OK HE CAMING BACK STIR THE POLITICAL AGAIN DON'T TRUST THIS DOG PRINCE.
Do not think about running into politics again. What you should do is to look for a job of taking care of cows or open nigh club. What do you think about this?
ah prince of condom come back for more TRASH and SHIT . ah kwack outplayed him to the GROUND ,yet he is back for more DIRT .This DOG care only DOLLARS , PUSSY and POWER.
a chkè rannaridh nov tè chhea chkè dodèl pi prous a chhoy mray sihanouk chhea sat asorikay prèt ...
wHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT OPOSITION IS NOT HELPING THE COUNTRY AH FOLL rANARITH?
You fucking head must be guilty to thank you ah kwack for help pardon you ass!
The warrior prince or the gaging coward shit head?
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