New holiday to celebrate King Father

A new public holiday will be added to the calendar in the wake of the King Father’s passing.

In a circular signed by Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday, the government designated October 15 as a public holiday and day of commemoration for former King Norodom Sihanouk.

“All ministries, institutions, and public and private enterprises must organise the day of commemoration properly in accordance with the good deeds of King Father Norodom Sihanouk and Cambodian custom and tradition,” the circular reads.

The instructions to host commemorative celebrations include all Cambodian provinces, communes and municipalities, as well as embassies and consulates-general, which were told to mark the day with appropriate national prestige and pride.

Chea Mony, president of the Free Trade Union of Cambodia, welcomed the new holiday yesterday, but also called for the government to extend the distinction to October 23, the signing date of the 1991 Paris Peace Agreement, which Sihanouk helped negotiate.