Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Cambodia commemorates 63rd Independence Day

Cambodia commemorates 63rd Independence Day

Students celebrate Independence Day in front of Phnom Penh's Independence Monument yesterday.
Students celebrate Independence Day in front of Phnom Penh's Independence Monument yesterday. Heng Chivoan

Cambodia commemorates 63rd Independence Day

Cambodia yesterday commemorated the 63rd anniversary of its independence from France in an hour-long ceremony at the Independence Monument attended by thousands of students, foreign diplomats and citizens, and presided over by King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Sen.

The Kingdom gained its independence in 1953 after almost a century of French colonial rule.

Among the attendees was 78-year-old Doeur Teklong, a retired official who had been part of the independence movement led by the late King Norodom Sihanouk when she was 14.

"I could not stand the French colonisers. They used to threaten our people, and I decided to join the movement," she said. "I was very happy when we attained independence, and today is a reminder of that day."

On social media yesterday, Hun Sen lauded the commitment and hard work of the former king as integral to Cambodia"s independence.

"Cambodians, please remember and appreciate our King"s sacrifices for our nation,” he wrote in a Facebook post.

Meanwhile, Kem Sokha, acting president of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, also took to Facebook to share his sentiments, telling followers, “National unity is the basis of national independence.”

MOST VIEWED

  • Tensions high ahead of historic Kun Khmer match up

    The long-awaited November 5 matchup between Kun Khmer legend Prum Samnang and Myanmar-Canadian boxer Dave Leduc has become the most anticipated fight of the year. The Wurkz Sena Kun Khmer promotion, which will be held at the Town Arena at Chip Mong 271 Megamall, will see six

  • Manet: Cambodia safe for travel

    Prime Minister Hun Manet acknowledged that Cambodia and China have cooperated to tackle internet scamming, fraud and other cross border crimes, but insisted that the “Kingdom of Wonders” is completely peaceful and safe. He welcomed tourists to come and explore its rich heritage. During a

  • UNESCO formally list Battambang gastronomy

    Battambang, renowned for its cultural heritage, has achieved a significant milestone as the first Cambodian municipality to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). The UCCN unites nearly 300 cities prioritising creativity and cultural industries in local development plans and international cooperation. On World Cities Day,

  • Cambodia pivots to solar, wind energy

    Cambodia is planning a move towards solar and wind energy to meet its rising power demands, according to Minister of Mines and Energy Keo Rottanak. On the sidelines of the Singapore International Energy Week event held recently, Rottanak emphasised the urgency of diversifying Cambodia’s

  • Angkor causeway symbol of Cambodia-Japan ties

    In a historic moment marking another milestone in the 70-year-long diplomatic relations between Cambodia and Japan, King Norodom Sihamoni celebrated the formal inauguration of a causeway located to the west of the world-renowned Angkor Wat. While presiding over the November 4 ceremony, the King emphasised the

  • Manet calls for Cambodia’s railways to get back on track

    Prime Minister Hun Manet has instructed the relevant authorities to expedite studies into upgrades to the Phnom Penh to Preah Sihanouk railway line. He suggested that the maximum speed on the line should be increased to 80km/h, in order to expedite the transportation of