A robust-looking Chea Sim presided over the wedding party of his son Chea Saomethy

in front of more than 4000 people at the Phnom Penh headquarters of the Cambodian

People's Party on Feb 28.

Chea Saomethy and Chea Sophalkun

The celebration, described by numerous attendees as "the political wedding of

the year", marked the union of Saomethy with Chea Sophalkun, daughter of Chea

Sim's Chief of Cabinet Chea Sorn.

The wedding celebration boasted a Who's Who of the Kingdom's political and business

movers and shakers, including Funcinpec notaries Prince Norodom Ranariddh and Senator

Nhek Bun Chhay.

With 350 tables of well-wishers tucking in simultaneously to a sumptuous nine course

banquet, one attendee noted that the $100 a-table catering fee had been well-spent.

"The banquet was a superb logistical effort," the attendee told the Post.

"It just goes to show that when the money is available, anything is possible

in this country."

Saomethy recently finished economics studies in Thailand.

Chea Sim, the Chairman of the Cambodian People's Party and President of the Senate,

is believed to have made a complete recovery from a stroke he suffered on Oct 21.