Cambodian King to be cremated on Feb 4, next year

Cambodia's former King Norodom Sihanouk will be cremated on Feb 4 next year after lying in state for more than 3 months at the Royal Palace.

Xinhua news agency reported the King's body will be moved to a crematorium at the Meru field next to the Royal Palace on Feb 1 and kept for another 3 days before it is cremated.

The annual Water Festival -- scheduled to be held from Nov 27 to 29 on Tonle Sap River in front of the Royal Palace -- has been cancelled.

"It is impolite that the King Father's body lies in state at the Royal Palace while millions of people come to enjoy the Water Festival," said Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday.

Sihanouk died of illness aged 90 in Beijing on Oct 15 and his body was returned to Phnom Penh on Oct 17.

Sihanouk ruled Cambodia from 1941 to 1955 and again from 1993 until his voluntary abdication on Oct 7, 2004 in favour of his son King Norodom Sihamoni.

The late king led the country in gaining independence from France in 1953 and was named the father of independence, territorial integrity, and national reconciliation and unity.