Cambodian ex-king Norodom Sihanouk, who died at 89 last month, will be cremated in February following a formal national ceremony. Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Monday that the cremation will be preceded by a procession on February 1 during which King Sihanouk's coffin will be carried from the royal palace in Phnom Penh to a funeral pyre in a nearby park. More than a million mourners are expected to line the streets for the lavish procession and pay their respects to the King Father. Hun Sen added that a ceremony to grant the new name “Preah Borom Ratanak Kod” to the late King Father will be held on November 28. According to Cambodian custom, the King of Cambodia receives three names – one at his birth, one when he is crowned, and one upon his death.

People show respects to Cambodian Ex-King Norodom Sihanouk

Out of respect for the late monarch, the Cambodian Government has cancelled boat racing in Phnom Penh, part of the traditional Ok Om BoK festival which runs from November 27-29.