Cambodian former king to return home from China
Posted : Wed, 02 Apr 2008 05:31:00 GMT
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 im****tant
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.
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