Norodom Sihanouk: a man missed by his people

Kep kosal, 40, Kandal province

I felt so upset when I heard the radio announcing that our kind grandfather passed away in China.

I got up early this morning to prepare food to bring to the pagoda to pray for him and I rushed out to Phnom Penh to join the mourning as the body was returning to Cambodia. During his reign, I was so young that I cannot quite remember much. But according to my studies and from following the news and listening to the radio broadcasting about his life and his work, it’s clear that he brought independence, peace and development for the people and the country.

Doung phim, 69, Takeo province 

Not only me, but everybody feels miserable over the death of our former King. He had done many things for us and the nation. All the leaders in the world liberated their countries from the colonialists by fighting. The single exception is our King Norodom Sihanouk. But now, we have lost him.

Moen Veasna, 71, Phnom Penh

I have been feeling deeply sorrowful since I learned that our King Father passed away. Our King Norodom Sihanouk was willing to sacrifice his life for the people and the nation. He won independence from the French, without opening fire, and succeeded in winning some major provinces from Thailand as well.

Song Phoung, 76, Phnom Penh

I am Khmer, and the former King Norodom Sihanouk is my king. Now, he has died, so I must mourn him, because when he was alive, he sacrificed much for the nation and people. He demanded our independence from the French, demanded provinces from Thailand and reconciled national unity as well. I remember that during his reign we lived in peace.

Yim thoeun, 52, Phnom Penh

I was very terribly sorry when I heard the King Father died. I almost did not believe it when I first heard the report early on Monday morning, but after I heard a second report and realised it was true, I was extremely sad. All of us know that he has done everything for us and the country, so this is the last time that we can appear to say thank you to him.

So Punnary, 24, Phnom Penh

I was so sad when I heard of the King Father’s death. I knew that he made efforts to do everything for the people and the national interest. And I knew that all sectors were developed very well during his reign, especially tourism, the economy, education, industry and agriculture.