PHNOM PENH: Cambodia’s revered and charismatic former king Norodom Sihanouk, whose life encompassed turbulent years of rule, exile and war including the Khmer Rouge reign of terror, died yesterday in Beijing aged 89.
Sihanouk, who had been a frequent visitor to China where he received most of his medical treatment, died of a heart attack, according to his longtime personal assistant Prince Sisowath Thomico.
“It’s painful. I am full of sorrow,” he said of the former monarch who abruptly quit the throne in October 2004, citing old age and health problems.
“King Sihanouk did not belong to his family, he belonged to Cambodia and to history,” Prince Thomico said.
The royal, a keen filmmaker and poet whose six marriages lent him a reputation as a playboy, steered his country through decades of painful political and social convulsions, from independence to civil war and invasion.
Renowned for unpredictability, Sihanouk repeatedly switched allegiances as the political climate changed, including backing Khmer Rouge guerrillas before he was himself imprisoned by them.
The fanatical communist regime caused the deaths of up to two million people, including five of Sihanouk’s 14 children.
Sihanouk, who had fought a long battle with health problems that dogged his final years, including cancer, diabetes and heart problems, remained a staunch supporter of China. He saw it as a “second home” and spent much of his time there, accompanied by his devoted sixth wife Monique.
Cambodia woke to the news of their former monarch’s demise on the final day of the annual festival for the dead known as Pchum Ben, when most people leave the capital Phnom Penh to spend time with their families in the countryside.
His son, Cambodia’s current king Norodom Sihamoni, left for Beijing around mid-morning to collect his body, accompanied by Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Both men were seen sobbing quietly as they greeted each other with an emotional embrace before boarding the plane as flags lining the airport building flew at half-mast.
In the capital, families flocked to temples to bring food and money offerings to Buddhist monks, honouring their dead ancestors who are believed to emerge to walk the earth during this time.
Young and old said they would add the country’s beloved former king to their prayers.
“I heard from the older generation that he tried his best to help the people of Cambodia,” said 20-year-old Sochakrya Theng at a pagoda near the Royal Palace. “I will say a prayer for him,” the university student said.
AFP
