People stroll in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, May 14, 2015. Fireworks were shot into the sky over Tonle Sap River in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh on Thursday night to celebrate the 62nd birthday of Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni. (Xinhua/Sovannara)
PHNOM PENH, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Fireworks were shot into the sky over Tonle Sap River in front of the Royal Palace here Thursday night to celebrate the 62nd birthday of Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni.
The fireworks had been shown for about 20 minutes and their colored explosions had caught the eyes of hoards of well-wishers.
Blessing messages from the leaders of the Senate, the National Assembly and the government have been read on television channels and radios, and published on newspapers or posted on online media.
"On this occasion, I would like to bless Your Majesty the King with good health, strength, wisdom, and longevity in order to continue your noble royal mission to bring Cambodia to prosperity and glory," Prime Minister Hun Sen said in his blessing message to the king.
Usually, the king does not host any lavish celebrations on his birthday, but a Buddhist ceremony at the Royal Palace.
As part of the celebrations, the government has launched a new 10,000-riel (2.5-U.S. dollar) bank note, which features the portrait of Sihamoni.
Sihamoni was born on May 14, 1953. He ascended the throne on Oct. 29, 2004, after his father late King Norodom Sihanouk abdicated due to health reason.
