Cambodia spared

last updated 8 January 2015

Phnom Penh

The former king of Cambodia took credit this week for protecting his country from the tsunami. Norodom Sihanouk, who gave the throne to his son last year because of poor health, said on his Web site that an astrologer came to the queen mother last month warning of an “ultracatastrophic cataclysm.” The former king said that he and his wife spent millions of dollars to ward off the evil by having religious ceremonies performed at temples around Cambodia. The tsunami engulfed neighboring Thailand but caused practically no damage in Cambodia. The royal family sent condolences to the countries affected.