- published: 10 Aug 2015
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Norodom I (Khmer: ព្រះបាទនរោត្តម) (February 1834 – 24 April 1904) ruled as king of Cambodia from 1860 to 1904. He was the eldest son of King Ang Duong, who ruled on behalf of Siam, and half-brother of Prince Si Votha as well as the half-brother of King Sisowath. Norodom is cognate with Narottama in Sanskrit which means Best (Uttama) of men (Nara). Norodom was considered to be the first modern Khmer king. He was credited with saving Cambodia from disappearing altogether. In 1863, to prevent the two powerful neighbours, Vietnam and Siam, from swallowing Cambodia altogether he invited France to make Cambodia its protectorate. However, he sent many letters to Siam claiming French Admiral de la Grandière had forced him into signing a false treaty. Many Cambodians believed that this brilliant act and his shrewdness did actually save Cambodia from disappearing.
When he was born, Cambodia was under Vietnamese (Annamese) and Siamese rule. The two powers had partitioned the country between them, but the royal family, being related to the Siamese, remained in the Siamese zone, as the Vietnamese were more authoritarian than the Siamese. Nonetheless, Vietnam and Siam frequently fought wars over Cambodian territory. The royal capital of Cambodia was in Oudong (named for the first King of Ayutthaya), but the main center of the area was the capital of Siam in Bangkok. Prince Norodom was sent by his father to study in Bangkok, where he studied Siamese (Thai), Politics, Military, Buddhist scriptures and the ancient Pali language.
Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk 06 August 2015 TVK
King Norodom Suramarit's Funeral April 1960
History of King Norodom Sihanouk (King of Cambodia)
Cambodia says farewell to Cambodia's Late King Norodom Sihanouk ( full coverage in Khmer)
Norodom Sihanouk died
KING NORODOM SURAMARIT FUNERALS APRIL 1960 - PART 2
Royal Blessed Songkran New Year 2016 for King Norodom Sihamoni, 07 April 2016, Live Full
"Goodbye Cambodia" - Khmer Song by King Norodom Sihanouk
Khmer Oldie Movie ឆាយាលើអង្គរ French Subtitle With Queen Monineath & Norodom Sihanouk
Norodom Sihamoni 2004 TVK