Government officials, members of the armed forces and Red Cross volunteers gathered yesterday to rehearse a ceremonial procession that will take place on July 11 as part of an interment ceremony for the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk at the Royal Palace’s Silver Pagoda.

“Today is just a simple exercise, but the second exercise on July 8 will be a [practice] procession down some of the selected streets,” Phnom Penh Municipal Deputy Governor Khuong Sreng said yesterday, adding that the ceremonial walk will cover a distance of about 10 kilometres.

The procession will extend from the northern exit of the Royal Palace and eventually wind its way back around to the Silver Pagoda.

About 20,000 people are expected to observe the ceremony that will take place on July 10, 11 and 12, Sreng said.

Businesses operating on major roads, including Sihanouk, Norodom and Soetharos boulevards are expected to suspend operations on the day of the ceremony.