Thursday, 23 October 2008

'Bigger and better' Independence Day

Photo by: VANDY RATTANA
The rehearsal for the Independence Day celebrations passes the Royal Palace on Wednesday.

The Bangkok Post

Written by Khoun Leakhana and Mom Kunthear
Thursday, 23 October 2008

A REHEARSAL was held Wednesday for the march that will commemorate the Kingdom's 55th Independence Day next month.

More than 30 institutions with 8,052 members and 29 cars took part in the rehearsal, which took place in front of the Royal Palace.

Kong Sam Ol, minister of the Royal Palace, said that Independence Day this year would be bigger and better than previous years.

"Cambodia has become more prosperous, so we want to make this event bigger and happier than ever before," he told the Post Wednesday.

Neang Sareth, an instructor at the technical school for medical care at the Ministry of Health, said it was important to remember the country's independence in order to promote peace.

"I think that Cambodia is peaceful now and it is very good that we can celebrate the Independence Day," he said Wednesday.

"I don't want to have war [with Thailand] anymore."

Neang Sareth said that he was now working towards the real march, which will be held November 9.

"I am happy that I have the chance to participate in the march," he said. "I have started to train and will train every day until Independence Day."

Promoting freedom

Chan Phal, chief art official at Phnom Penh's Municipal Cultural Department of Fine Arts, said that he is proud his nation can celebrate Independence Day because it shows the world Cambodia has freedom and prosperity.

"We have organised five big teams of cars that will all carry large pictures of the Independence Monument and white doves," he said.

"Many institutions, such as the National Assembly, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Information, will be participating on the day " he added.

Rong Chhun, president of the Cambodian Independent Teachers Association, said he was participating in the ceremony out of his dedication to tradition.

"As Khmer people we all have to participate in this ceremony because it is our history," he said. But he warned that the finances of the ceremony, which were expected to be large this year, should be monitored against corruption.

"It is normal to spend a lot on a ceremony, but I think that we have to think carefully about where the money goes," he said."We do not want to have corruption marking a day like this."

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