The National Committee for Organising National and International Festivals issued a letter advising all ministries, institutions and capital and provincial administrations to observe the 69th birthday of King Norodom Sihamoni on May 14 according to royal traditions.
In the letter dated April 25, Kong Sam Ol, Minister of the Royal Palace and chairman of the committee, said that every year the government, along with members of the royal family, civil servants from all ministries, institutions, and capital and provincial administrations,as well as people all over the country, celebrate the occasion.
He said the birthday will be traditionally celebrated as the day is considered noble and auspicious. It shows gratitude for the King, who ascended the throne to serve as the shade of the people.
Sam Ol advised them to erect the King’s portrait decorated with lights, national flag and banners in celebration.
Committee deputy permanent chair Chhin Ketna said on April 25 that he had nothing to add to the instructions, calling on everyone to join the celebrations.
Ministry of Information spokesman Phos Sovann said on April 25 that every year the ministry instructs state-owned media outlets including the Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP) and National Television of Cambodia (TVK) to broadcast his biography and activities – in memory of the achievements he has made so far.
“We commemorate his crusade for the motherland. At the same time, we advise all private media outlets to join in broadcasting details of his life. In addition, we will broadcast well wishes from senior Cambodian dignitaries,” he said.
He said the ministry will recommend the dissemination of documents that the Royal Palace provided to the ministry, noting that it was traditional for the ministry to share these with the public across the Kingdom each year.
