Sihanouk’s remains in last journey

[geovalin]

Cheang Sokha

The remains of King Father Norodom Sihanouk will be interred at the Royal Palace’s Silver Pagoda in a ceremony spanning July 11 and 12, Minister of Information Khieu Kanharith said yesterday.

Kanharith made the announcement after an interministerial meeting chaired by Royal Palace Minister Kong Sam Ol to discuss preparations for the ceremony.

According to Kanharith, the ceremony – the cost of which has yet to be determined – will involve a street procession from the northern exit of the Royal Palace to the Silver Pagoda, travelling down a short stretch of Norodom Boulevard.

Oum Daravuth, adviser to the secretariat of Queen Mother Norodom Monineath, said that palace officials would erect a stupa at the Silver Pagoda during the ceremony, which is expected to draw large crowds.

“It was the final wish of Samdech Ta that his remains be interred in the Silver Pagoda,” Daravuth said. The late King Father died in Beijing on October 15, 2012, at age 89.

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/sihanouk%E2%80%99s-remains-last-journey