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Born on May 14, 1953, HM Norodom Sihamoni was crowned King of Cambodia on Oct 14, 2004. His Majesty was selected king by a special nine-member council, part of a selection process that was quickly put in place after the surprise abdication of his father, King Norodom Sihanouk.
His Majesty's selection was endorsed by Prime Minister Hun Sen and the king's brother, National Assembly Speaker Prince Norodom Ranariddh.
The 53-year-old King of Cambodia is still a single. He is a son of King-Father Norodom Sihanouk and Queen-Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk. His Majesty graduated with honours from the National Conservatory of Prague and the Academy of Musical Art of Prague and studied film-making in North Korea. He is fluent in French, Czech and English.
His Majesty taught classical dance and arts in Paris and was appointed Cambodian delegate to UNESCO based in Paris in 1993. He is best known for his work as a cultural ambassador in Europe and his keen support for the arts. He is known for his hard work and his devotion to Cambodia.
This is the first visit to Thailand of His Majesty after his ascension to the throne.
The Kingdom of Cambodia:Located in Southeast Asia, between Thailand, Vietnam and Laos. The government is a multiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchy. After 1999, the first full year of peace in 30 years, the Cambodian government made progress in economic reforms and now continues to work with bilateral and multilateral donors, including the World Bank and IMF, to address the country's many pressing needs.
Cambodia and Thailand established formal relations in 1950. The relationship between two countries is in progress on the basis of friendship. The two countries work closely, especially in economic cooperation. |
