PHNOM PENH: The Ministry of Tourism has advised the owners or managers of karaoke businesses, clubs, bars and beer garden across the country to suspend their business for one day on 8 December to join the national mourning period for the death of Prince Norodom Ranariddh. It has also advised other business owners, such as restaurants to suspend alcohol sales.

The Ministry has instructed the Director of the Capital-Provincial Department of Tourism to disseminate and educate the owners or managers of the above tourism service businesses to implement the business suspension in accordance with this circular effectively and responsibly.

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

His body will be laid at his Palace on Samdech Pan Street, Sangkat Chaktomuk, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh from 5 to 8 December. In gratitude and to pay tribute to the late King, the Royal Government of Cambodia has designated the 8th December 2021 as a day of national mourning, requiring all ministries, institutions, schools, hospitals, public, private and all civil servants of the Armed Forces, all of pagodas, as well as people all over the country, have to raise the flag to half the flagpole.

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