Samleng Yuveakchon Khmer (Voice of Khmer Youth)
28 June 2006
Translated from Khmer
Prince Norodom Chakrapong was reported by some Cambodian royal family members as being ready to defect from the royalist FUNCINPEC [National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia] Party and join Prince Sisowath Thomico, who has plans to form a second royalist party in July. At the same time, Prince Chakrapong probably would be appointed second in command in this new party as its secretary-general.
Prince Sisowath Thomico has so far consistently refused to reveal the name of his royalist party, saying only that two small political parties had already committed themselves to joining him and that some former members of the Son Sann Party and some members of the Sam Rainsy Party [SRP] and of the FUNCINPEC Party would also join him.
Samleng Yuveakchon Khmer has learned from some royal family members that Prince Norodom Ranariddh would not stay away from his FUNCINPEC Party and that Prince Thomico would not join FUNCINPEC. As for Prince Norodom Chakrapong, he said that a number of high-ranking FUNCINPEC members did not like him; therefore, in order to avoid confrontation, the prince decided to pull out of FUNCINPEC and join Prince Thomico's party.
Prince Norodom Chakrapong, former president of the Norodom Chakrapong Khmer Soul Party, which took part in the 2003 elections but failed to get any seat, dissolved his party and joined FUNCINPEC in 2005.
Nevertheless, several members of the Cambodian royal family recently called for unity as they did not want to see two royalist parties compete against one another, for the experience in 2003 already showed that this would not work.
The royal family members expressed concern that if they were split and two royalist parties were created, it would not be good for the future of a strong monarchy. So that the royal family could be united as a single body, royalists have appealed to Prince Norodom Ranariddh, president of the FUNCINPEC party, and Prince Sisowath Thomico, future president of another royalist party to be formed, urging both of them to unite.
Some royal family members told Samleng Yuveakchon Khmer on Monday that it was not yet too late for Prince Sisowath Thomico to reconsider and to join with Prince Norodom Ranariddh to consolidate the royalist party in order to advance toward victory in the 2007 commune-precinct council elections and the 2008 parliamentary elections.
Prince Sisowath Thomico told reporters last week that a Sihanoukist party would be formed in July.
A pro-CPP local newspaper commented last week that without any record as politician, Prince Thomico's expressed desire to form a political party drew many questions. Why does he want to form a political party? Is anyone behind him? These questions are unavoidable because the prince has had close relations with former King Norodom Sihanouk, who has a record as one of the most astute politicians. Prince Thomico is former personal secretary of the King Father and he lives in the royal palace with the King Father.
A number of political analysts said that it is difficult to believe, based on these facts, that Prince Thomico's decision to form a new political party could be done without the knowledge of the King Father who has remained the venerated monarch of most Cambodians. However, people wonder how deep is the King father's involvement in this Sihanoukist party. Does he really stand far from Prince Thomico's thinking?
After examining past messages of the King Father, one might be ready to reject the idea that he has anything to do with the creation of any royalist party. The old king has always claimed that his retirement from his kingship does not mean that he would return to politics. He has categorically rejected any insinuation that he would return to the political arena.
Prince Sisowath Thomico has so far consistently refused to reveal the name of his royalist party, saying only that two small political parties had already committed themselves to joining him and that some former members of the Son Sann Party and some members of the Sam Rainsy Party [SRP] and of the FUNCINPEC Party would also join him.
Samleng Yuveakchon Khmer has learned from some royal family members that Prince Norodom Ranariddh would not stay away from his FUNCINPEC Party and that Prince Thomico would not join FUNCINPEC. As for Prince Norodom Chakrapong, he said that a number of high-ranking FUNCINPEC members did not like him; therefore, in order to avoid confrontation, the prince decided to pull out of FUNCINPEC and join Prince Thomico's party.
Prince Norodom Chakrapong, former president of the Norodom Chakrapong Khmer Soul Party, which took part in the 2003 elections but failed to get any seat, dissolved his party and joined FUNCINPEC in 2005.
Nevertheless, several members of the Cambodian royal family recently called for unity as they did not want to see two royalist parties compete against one another, for the experience in 2003 already showed that this would not work.
The royal family members expressed concern that if they were split and two royalist parties were created, it would not be good for the future of a strong monarchy. So that the royal family could be united as a single body, royalists have appealed to Prince Norodom Ranariddh, president of the FUNCINPEC party, and Prince Sisowath Thomico, future president of another royalist party to be formed, urging both of them to unite.
Some royal family members told Samleng Yuveakchon Khmer on Monday that it was not yet too late for Prince Sisowath Thomico to reconsider and to join with Prince Norodom Ranariddh to consolidate the royalist party in order to advance toward victory in the 2007 commune-precinct council elections and the 2008 parliamentary elections.
Prince Sisowath Thomico told reporters last week that a Sihanoukist party would be formed in July.
A pro-CPP local newspaper commented last week that without any record as politician, Prince Thomico's expressed desire to form a political party drew many questions. Why does he want to form a political party? Is anyone behind him? These questions are unavoidable because the prince has had close relations with former King Norodom Sihanouk, who has a record as one of the most astute politicians. Prince Thomico is former personal secretary of the King Father and he lives in the royal palace with the King Father.
A number of political analysts said that it is difficult to believe, based on these facts, that Prince Thomico's decision to form a new political party could be done without the knowledge of the King Father who has remained the venerated monarch of most Cambodians. However, people wonder how deep is the King father's involvement in this Sihanoukist party. Does he really stand far from Prince Thomico's thinking?
After examining past messages of the King Father, one might be ready to reject the idea that he has anything to do with the creation of any royalist party. The old king has always claimed that his retirement from his kingship does not mean that he would return to politics. He has categorically rejected any insinuation that he would return to the political arena.
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