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Cambodians mark anniversary of King’s death

The long-reigning monarch died last October 15, prompting tens of thousands of Cambodians to publicly mourn his passing.

Guards lined the entrance to the Royal Palace on the day of the return of the king(***)s body. The revered monarch died of a heart attack in Beijing on October 15, 2012. Last year, Cambodians came out in the tens of thousands to pay their respects.
By Nicolas Axelrod and Thomas Cristofoletti
Published On 15 Oct 201315 Oct 2013
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On October 15, 2012 – Cambodia’s King Father Norodom Sihanouk passed away. He died of a heart attack at the age of 89.

A few days later, tens of thousands of mourners from all over Cambodia lined the road from the airport to the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh to welcome the return of his body. The park in front of the palace became a public site of grieving.

Following tradition, and with due regard for an auspicious date, the funeral ceremony was set for February 1, 2013. An elaborate procession displaying various aspects of Khmer culture took the late King Father from the palace to the Veal Meru crematorium site. Thousands of people lined the streets of the capital to watch.

To mark the first anniversary of the King Father’s passing, a $1.2m bronze statue was inaugurated on October 11, 2013.

The death of Norodom Sihanouk marks the end of an era for Cambodia. After claiming victory in contested elections held in July, Prime Minister Hun Sen maintains a firm grip on the country, presiding over a de-facto one-party state.

Monks prayed in front of the gates of the Royal Palace after the body of the king arrived at the palace.
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Thousands of people waited for the arrival of the king(***)s body in front of the Royal Palace.
A portrait of King Norodom Sihanouk sat on the grass in front of the Royal Palace.
About 3,500 monks prayed for the king in front of the Royal Palace.
A man had his head shaved by a monk to mourn the passing of the king.
Workers built a crematorium for the funeral of the king.
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The golden coffin carrying the embalmed body of the king was taken through the streets of Phnom Penh.
Thousands of Cambodians stood in front of the Royal Palace this February to enter the crematorium and pay their last respects to the king, on the third day of his funeral.
Mourners carrying images of King Norodom Sihanouk passed in front of the crematorium.
Print shop workers made posters with images of the king, during the cremation ceremony.
The crematorium site, minutes before the cremation of King Norodom Sihanouk.
Cambodian women cry as they witness the king(***)s cremation.
King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath carried the remaining ashes of King Norodom Sihanouk, from the crematorium to the Royal Palace.
People drive past the bronze statue of King Norodom Sihanouk on the first anniversary of his passing. The statue was inaugurated by King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Sen in honour of the late king.


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