Cambodian ex-king says he wants to die soon

10/08/2009
Agence France-Presse

PHNOM PENH—Cambodia's elderly former king Norodom Sihanouk said he has lived too long and wishes to die as soon as possible, according to a personal handwritten note on his website Thursday.

In a royal message, Sihanouk said his father, Suramarit, died at the age of 64, and his great-grandfather, Sisowath, died at the age of 83.

"But for me, who sincerely wants to die as near in the future as possible, I have lived too long," wrote the former king, who will turn 87 at the end of this month.

The ex-monarch, who has been in Beijing since last month for routine medical treatment, went on to say in his message, dated October 2, that the "lengthy longevity bears on me like an unbearable weight."

Sihanouk went on to thank compatriots who have wished that he lives to be over 100 years old, but asked them to refrain from wishing him a long life.

"What I want is to die as soon as possible, without having to infringe on the teachings of the (esteemed) Buddha who forbade suicide," he wrote.

Sihanouk has suffered from a number of ailments, including cancer, diabetes and hypertension.

One of Asia's longest-serving monarchs, he abruptly quit the throne in October 2004 in favor of his son, Sihamoni, citing old age and health problems.

Despite abdicating, Sihanouk remains a prominent figure in Cambodia and often uses messages on his website to comment on matters of state.