First week of February designated for second round of mourning

PHNOM PENH, 9 January 2013 (The Cambodia Herald) - The government has designated the week from February 1 as a second round of mourning for the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk whose body is to be cremated on February 4.

In a letter dated Tuesday, Prime Minister Hun Sen said ministries as well as state and private institutions must fly the flag at half mast during the period.

Portraits of the King Father, who died in Beijing on October 15, must be decorated with condolence symbols and people should wear black ribbons for a week.

According to the letter, radio and television stations as well as entertainment establishments are banned from undertaking "joyful" events.

While civil servants are not required to work between February 1 and 4, all businesses along the streets of the funeral procession must cease on February 1.

At the same time, all places of worship must pray for the procession and cremation.

Shots will be fired by 101st Field Artillery when the coffin of the King Father is removed from the Royal Palace on February 1, when it reaches the funeral pyre the same day and when the cremation takes place on February 4. Fireworks will also be fired during special ceremonies.

The funeral procession is expected to be up to two kilometers long with large television screens installed at several places including the Olympic Stadium, Chom Chao Market, Chenla Cinema, Koh Pich, the Century Plaza Market, Democracy Park and Takmao Park.

Hun Sen ordered the armed forces and police to strengthen safety and security for mourners. He also ordered radio and television stations to broadcast the progress of ceremonies.