Samdech Preah Norodom Sihamoni is the King of Cambodia. He is the eldest son of King Norodom Sihanouk and Queen Norodom Moneath sihanouk. Previously Cambodia ‘s ambassador to UNESCO, he was named by a nine members throne council to become the next king after his father Norodom Sihanouk abdicated in 2004 before ascending the throne, King Norodom Sihamoni was  best known for his work as a cultural ambassador in Europe and as a classical dance instructor.

Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoniwas born on May-14-1953,

He has spent most of his life outside Cambodia. As a child, King Samdech Preah Norodom Sihamoni was sent to Prague, Czechoslovakia, by his father in 1962, where he, attending elementary school, High school and academic of music arts, studied classical dance and music until 1975.

He is fluent in French and Czech, as well as being a good speaker of English and Russian. During the 1970 coup d’état by Lon Nol, King Norodom Sihamoni remained in Czechoslovakia. In 1975, he left Prague and began to study Film maker in North Korea.

In 1981, he moved to French to teach ballet and he was later president of the Khmer Dance Association. He lived in French for nearly 20 years, but even then he regularly visited Prague, where he spent his childhood and youth. He is the only ruling monarch who speaks Czech.

In 1993, the prince was appointed Cambodia ‘delegates to UNESCO, the UN cultural body based in Paris, where he becomes known for his hard work and his devotion to Cambodian culture.

In 14-October 2004, he was selected by a special member council, part of a selection process that was quickly put in place after the surprise abdication of King Norodom Sihanouk a week before.

By Pheara!