Cambodian Prince Thomico to quit as personal secretary to Queen Mother

Cambodian Prince Sisowath Thomico said Sunday that he would resign from his current position as personal secretary to Queen Mother Norodom Monineath in order to focus on his political career towards July's general election.

The position of personal secretary to the Queen Mother is equivalent to that of a minister.

"I told the Queen Mother already and I will give my resignation letter to her on Wednesday next week," he told Xinhua over telephone.

"I don't want politicians to involve the names of the Queen Mother and King Norodom Sihamoni in political issues because of me, " said Thomico, who has recently joined the main opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party and runs as a candidate for the members of parliament to represent Preah Sihanouk province in the upcoming polls.

The prince's resignation was made after Prime Minister Hun Sen on May 16 criticized him for using his association with the royal family to round up votes for the opposition party ahead of July's general election.

"This poses a danger to the royal family because this prince uses the name of former King Norodom Sihanouk and uses the name on behalf of the royal cabinet of the Queen Mother Norodom Monineath to gain popularity for the opposition party," the premier said.

At that time, he also suggested to Queen Mother Norodom Monineath that she remove Thomico from his position for using the royal family as a political tool.

Cambodia will have a general election on July 28, according to the National Election Committee. Eight political parties will run in the forthcoming election, and some 9.67 million eligible Cambodians are expected to vote.

Three major parties are competing in the poll, including the ruling Cambodian People's Party of Prime Minister Hun Sen, the main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party led by self-exiled leader Sam Rainsy, and the royalist Funcinpec Party headed by Princess Norodom Arun Rasmey, the youngest daughter of late King Father Norodom Sihanouk.

Political analysts predict that the ruling party of Prime Minister Hun Sun will win the majority in the election.

Hun Sen, 61, has been in power for 28 years and vowed to stay in office until he is 74.