Phnom Penh provides tight security for Lon Rith

Lon Rith, 45-year-old president of the Khmer Republican Party of Cambodia, talks to reporters at Phnom Penh International Airport in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, on April 20, 2008. Lon Rith, son of Lon Nol who ruled Cambodia from 1970 to 1975, left the country in 1973 when he was 11 and has been living in the United States ever since. He returned to Cambodia on Sunday to take part in the National Assembly elections, to be held in July. (Xinhua Photo)

Late Marshall Lon Nol’s son returns to Cambodia

Monday, April 21, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Lon Rith, president of the Khmer Republican Party (KRP) and the son of the late Marshall Lon Nol, arrived in Cambodia on 20 April to organize his party in view of competing in the upcoming general election which will be held on 27 July. Lon Rith left Cambodia to the US in 1973, at the age of 11. This is the first time that he returns back to his native country as the KRP president. About 100 supporters greeted him under very tight security. John Sunny Sok, the KRP vice-president, said that Lon Rith’s presence at this time brings hope to his supporters. John Sunny Sok said that Lon Rith will meet with his party activists from the 24 provinces and municipalities from all over the country, and he plans to organize the party national congress in the future as well, so as to compete in the upcoming July general election.

Party of Lon Nol’s son shows it face in Phnom Penh

Lon Rity, KRP party president, who did not show up his face in Phnom Penh as of yet

Saturday, February 23, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

The Khmer Republican Party belonging the son of late Marshall Lon Nol, showed its face after the Ministry of Interior recognized it for the participation in the 27 July 2008 general election. In a press conference at the Sunway Hotel in Phnom Penh on 21 February, John Sunny Sok, the KRP vice-president, said that his party was formed on 11 March 2006, and Lon Rith, the son of Marshall Lon Nol, is the party president. John Sunny Sok said that, if his party wins the election, it will abide by the constitution which stipulates that Cambodia is a monarchy. He said that his party is only one among many other parties and it is not a pro-republican party. The KRP will strive by the free democratic system. Lon Rith, the KRP president, did not show up in Phnom Penh for the public to know him yet, even though the party held two press conferences so far already.

The "no-longer republican" Khmer Republican Party authorized to open its headquarters

Lon Rith, president of the Khmer Republican Party.

Authorization granted for the Khmer Republic party to open its office

Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

The Ministry of Interior (MoI) agreed to authorize the Khmer Republican party (KRP) – presided by Lon Rith, the son of Marshall Lon Nol – to open its headquarters and to raise party signs along villages, communes, districts, provinces, city and municipalities all over the country. In a letter dated 20 November 2007, issued by Sar Kheng, the minister of Interior, to the KRP president, Sar Kheng stated that the MoI does not oppose the request to open the party headquarters, and the raising of party signs. The KRP was recognized by the MoI on 12 February 2007, and it was registered in the list of political parties on 08 October 2007. KRP officials used to claim that the party does not plan to bring the republican regime back to the current kingdom of Cambodia. After the recognition of this party by the MoI, the KRP held a press conference in Phnom Penh, however, Lon Rith was not present there.