Former King Sihanouk Wednesday donates his own money to the border activists and another man who are imprisoned.
In a statement in English in the Bangkok Post Tuesday and which was posted on his personal website, former King Sihanouk gave $3,000 to the families of Mr. Mam Sonando, owner of Beehive 105 FM radio station, Mr. Rong Chhun, president of Cambodia Independent Teachers Association, and Mr. Cheam Channy, opposition Sam Rainsy party senator.
Each family will receive $1,000. The former monarch reassures his son King Sihamoni that his donation is not politically tied. He told Mr. Kong Sam Ol, royal palace minister to give the money from the humanitarian budget to the families. The three men's families thanked the former King's generosity.
Former King Sihanouk has given money before to Mr. Born Sam Naang, and Mr. Sok Sam Oeun, who were wrongly accused of murdering Mr. Chea Vichea, popular president of Cambodia's Free Trade Union of Workers.