The National Bank of Cambodia has issued a new 1,000-riel banknote ( equivalent to 25 U. S. cents) in order to remember the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk who passed on last year. The new note displays a portrait of the late King Father Sihanouk on the obverse and a picture of a golden swan-shaped float that transported Sihanouk's body on the reverse.
During his life time, Sihanouk's photos were printed on the current banknotes of 5,000 riels, 10,000 riels, 50,000 riels, and 100,000 riels.
Sihanouk died of illness at the age of 90 in Beijing on October 15 last year. His body is currently lying in state at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh for the public to pay tribute. The body will be moved from the Palace to a custom-built crematorium at the Veal Preah Meru Square on February 1 and kept it for another three days at the site before it is cremated on February 4.
Born on Oct. 31, 1922, Sihanouk ruled Cambodia from 1941 to 1955. He returned to power again from 1993 until his voluntary abdication on Oct. 7, 2004 in favor of his son, the current King Norodom Sihamoni.