Cambodian former king to return home from China

The Earth Times
Wed, 02 Apr 2008
Author : DPA

Phnom Penh - Cambodian former king Norodom Sihanouk would return to the country this week after spending three months resting and undergoing routine medical checkups in China, a palace source said Wednesday.

The palace official said the former monarch, now 85, would fly to the northern tourist town and gateway to the Angkor Wat temples, Siem Reap, Sunday, where he keeps a royal residence.

He would be accompanied by his wife, Norodom Monineath, and greeted on arrival by the nation's leaders and his son, King Norodom Sihamoni.

Sihanouk spends increasing periods of time in Beijing, where a team of Chinese doctors treat him for a range of ailments including diabetes, high blood pressure and colon cancer, although he previously announced that that he is in remission.

The octogenarian apparently remains spritely, and the palace source said he was planning a gala to celebrate the nation's most important holiday, Khmer New Year, at his residence in the capital less than 10 days after his return.

"He plans to host a banquet followed by a night of singing and dancing and will invite all members of the diplomatic corps," the palace official said by telephone.

The former king, who abdicated in 2004, had not set a date for his return to China, the source added. He was last in the country in November when he celebrated his birthday here.