Some 20,000 people, senior government officials and Royal Cambodian Armed Forces members among them, are expected to gather in front of the Royal Palace later this month to celebrate the 10th anniversary of King Norodom Sihamoni’s coronation.

Festivities are scheduled to take place on October 28 and 29, Kem Gunawadh, director general of television station TVK recently posted on his Facebook page.

In addition to Cambodian citizens, about 40 diplomats from foreign embassies in the capital will also participate in the ceremony.

Unlike his father, the late Norodom Sihanouk – often credited with achieving Cambodian independence from the French – Sihamoni has by and large kept out of the public eye in the decade he has spent as king.

Kong Sam Ol, chairman of the National Committee for Organizing National and International Festivals, and Minister of the Royal Palace could not be reached for comment yesterday.