August 16, 2009By Pen Bona
Radio France International
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy
King-Father Norodom Sihanouk issued a declaration at the end of the week, indicating the weakening of his health and mental capacity. The 87-year-old former monarch who is currently staying in Siem Reap province, declared that he will stop a number of his daily work activities, and he is turning all his works to Prince Thomico to take care for him.
Starting from Sunday 16 August, King-Father Norodom Sihnaouk will take a rest from writing documents for posting on his website and for publication in his monthly BMD magazine. The announcement was made in a declaration issued by the former monarch at the end of this week.
In a press communiqué distributed on Saturday in Siem Reap city, where he is currently staying, King-Father declared that his body is aging considerably, both physically and mentally. This situation no longer allows him to fulfill his daily work as he used to do in the past.
This reason forced him to take a rest from writing documents for publishing on his website and his BMD magazine. King-Father transferred the task to Prince Sisowath Thomico. The latter indicated today that King-Father is very tired because he did not have much rest.
The 87-year-old former monarch returned from China on 08 July, following a long medical care stay in Beijing. Since his return, he has stayed at his palace in Siem Reap province. A few weeks earlier, the former monarch declared that he would stop receiving high-ranking officials and foreign guests who want to have an audience with him.
King-Father plans to return back to China at the beginning of September for medical checkup. According to Prince Thomico, even though King-Father is very tired, his health is still strong and there is nothing much to worry about.
