Injured former Cambodian PM Ranariddh sent to Thai hospital
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — A Cambodian prince who is a candidate in upcoming elections was transferred to a hospital in neighbouring Thailand on Monday after being injured in a road crash that killed his wife, a fellow politician said.
Prince Norodom Ranariddh, 74, son of the late King Norodom Sihanouk and half brother of Cambodia’s current king, was injured when a taxi slammed into his SUV in southwest Cambodia. The SUV was part of a convoy carrying senior members of Ranariddh’s FUNCINPEC party to Sihanoukville on Sunday when the crash occurred, a senior party member in the group said.
Ranariddh’s 39-year-old wife, Ouk Phalla, also was a candidate in Cambodia’s general election next month. She died in a hospital after the crash, Sihanoukville police chief Gen. Chuon Narin said.
Ranariddh, who was originally reported severely injured, suffered broken ribs, a politician familiar with his situation told The Associated Press. The politician, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release information, said Ranariddh was flown to Bangkok at 1 a.m. Monday for medical care at the request of the country’s Royal Palace. Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni is Ranariddh’s half brother.