THE royal family and other dignitaries will attend a ceremony today to commemorate the death of former prime minister and former president of the National Assembly Chau Sen Cosal Chhum, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 104.

Kim Vann, 65, a son of the late former leader, arrived in Cambodia from Paris for the ceremony, which is scheduled to begin early in the morning.

"We will cremate [the body of Chau Sen Cosal Chhum] in front of Wat Botum on Monday," he told the Post.

Prince Mohessara Norodom Chakrapong told the Post Sunday that he and all the royal families would express their condolences at the ceremony, adding that the former leader contributed many achievements for the development of Cambodia, including developing Cambodia's constitutional law and other key legislation.

"Our nation has lost one of our great long-time clean sons and public servants," Prince Norodom Chakrapong told the Post Sunday.

"He is a former president of the National Assembly and former prime minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia in the earlier Preah Vihear dispute with Thailand in 1962."

French honour late leader

The French embassy on Friday also expressed its condolences and honoured Chau Sen Cosal Chhum, making him, posthumously, a commander of the French Legion d'Honneur. 

Nominated as supreme advisor to the king in 1992, Chau Sen Cosal Chhum also led the Constitutional Council between 1998 and 2007.