Phnom Penh: The body of Prince Norodom Ranariddh has flown in a special flight to Phnom Penh at around 12 noon on Sunday, five of December. His body will be paraded from Phnom Penh International Airport to keep at his Palace on Samdech Pan Street, Khan Daun Penh from five to eight of December.

In gratitude and to pay tribute to the late Prince Ranariddh, the Royal Government has designated Wednesday this week, eight of December, as a day of national mourning by requiring all ministries, institutions, schools, hospitals, public and private sectors, and civil servants as well as all the armed forces, pagodas and people throughout the country, to hoist the flag at half-mast.

At the same time, all national and private radio and television stations must suspend their performances and broadcast various entertainment scenes in order to pay their respects to the late prince.

Norodom Ranariddh passed away at the age of 77, in France, on the morning of November 28. He was born on January 2, 1944, as the second son of Prince Norodom Sihanouk and his wife, Phat Kanoul. He was the first Prime Minister from 1993 to 1997 and was the President of the National Assembly from 1998 to 2006.