PHNOM PENH, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- Fireworks lit up the sky on Tuesday night over the Tonle Sap River in front of the Royal Palace to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni's coronation.
The fireworks show lasted for about 30 minutes, attracting crowds of local and foreign strollers along the river.
The Coronation Day is a public holiday in the kingdom. On the occasion, the king's portraits have been displayed in front of all state ministries and institutions, as leaders offer their best wishes to the monarch.
Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said in a congratulatory message that the king is the "symbol of national unity," expressing his heartfelt gratitude to the monarch for his enormous contributions to the nation's socio-economic development and prestige.
He wished the king with wisdom, good health, strength, and longevity in order to stay as the "cool shade" for the people of Cambodia.
Earlier this month, the National Bank of Cambodia also printed a 15,000-riel banknote (equivalent to 3.75 U.S. cents) to mark the occasion. The new banknote displays a portrait of Sihamoni on the obverse and his picture taken with his parents - former King Norodom Sihanouk and former Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk - on the reverse.
Sihamoni, 66, ascended the throne as the King of Cambodia on Oct. 29, 2004, after his father late King Norodom Sihanouk abdicated due to health reason.
