Cambodians across the country rushed from their houses last night in the hope of catching a glimpse of the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk’s face in the moon.

Word spread fast that the revered former monarch, who passed away last Monday, could supposedly be seen on the crescent-shaped moon’s surface.

Residents, including some in the capital, rushed to see if it was true, holding up incense to the sky or clasping their hands together in a manner of prayer.

“I clearly saw the image of the late king,” Nun Pichsudeny, a resident of the capital’s Meanchey district, said.

“If you look up towards the dark side and concentrate, you can clearly see the smile of the King Father.

“Look for a few more moments at the straight point, and you can see eyes, and further down, his upper body in white clothes. My whole family saw it.”  

Others were quick to make light of the alleged sighting by posting blatantly doctored photos on social-network sites of a smiling Sihanouk looking down toward Earth.

To contact the reporter on this story: Shane Worrell at [email protected]