Construction on a statue commemorating the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk will be completed in the coming days and inaugurated on October 11, just four days before the anniversary of his death.

Kem Gunawadh, director-general of state broadcaster TVK, said yesterday that King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath will preside over an inauguration ceremony a week from Friday.

“They will preside over the launch on October 11, which is organised for the very early morning, but the live broadcast may start from 8am,” he said.

Construction on the 27-metre-tall memorial stupa, which includes a larger-than-life bronze statue of the late King Father, began in February at Dragon Park – across from Prime Minister Hun Sen’s house and Independence Monument.

According to City Hall spokesman Long Dimanche, the statue will be installed in the stupa on Saturday.

Sihanouk passed away on October 15, 2012, after suffering a heart attack while in Beijing. He was 89 years old.