A birthday bash in Beijing is being planned for King Father Norodom Sihanouk, who intends to remain in China for at least another month, his personal secretary said yesterday.

Returning from a visit to China, Prince Sisowath Thomico told the Post yesterday that the retired king will not be coming back to Cambodia in time to celebrate his 91st birthday on October 31.

“He is not ill; his health is fine. But he is just tired,” said Thomico. “King Father will celebrate his birthday in Beijing [instead]. There will be royal family meeting him there. Traditionally, Chinese high-ranking officials have taken flowers to offer to the King, as well.”

On the occasion of his 90th birthday, Norodom Sihanouk last year returned to Cambodia and gave a rare public address – his first since abdicating the throne in 2004, praising the ruling CPP government.

A long-time hypertension and diabetes sufferer who has battled cancer three times, he also used the occasion to announce he would never leave Cambodia again, but he was soon forced to return to China for medical treatment.

To contact the reporter on this story: Meas Sokchea at [email protected]