The government has issued a notice calling on the “entire Cambodian nation” to observe the first anniversary of the death of late King Father Norodom Sihanouk on October 15, state news agency AKP reported yesterday.

The date was designated as a public holiday following Sihanouk’s passing last year.

The circular, signed Wednesday by Prime Minister Hun Sen, says that “all ministries and public institutions and establishments” must commemorate the late King Father and organise “high-profile observations” on the day.

It also says that all pagodas and Cambodians are obligated to pay their respects.

“All pagodas and religious sites and all local people must hold the commemorative ceremony with the respect and love from the bottom of their heart,” the circular says, according to AKP.

A 27-metre-tall memorial stupa commemorating Sihanouk will be inaugurated on October 11.