THE YEAR 20I3 BEGAN IN CAMBODIA on a somber note, as preparations gathered pace for the elaborate funeral of former King Norodom Sihanouk in early February. Sihanouk’ s passing in October 20I2, just short of his 9oth birthday, not only marked the end of an era sttetching back to colonial times; in also meant the end of the Cambodian monarchy as an independent locus of powcr, capable of mediating between conflicting politicians. Sihanouk’s chosen successor, his unmarried and heirless son Sihamoni (age 60), has struggled to assert his authority and relevance since being crowned in 2004. During 20I3, thar relevance was to be repeatedly tested. In the event, the final phase of sihanouk’s funeral was not attended by the anticipated one million mourners, partly because the government sealed off the area around the Royal Palace to curtail the numbers taking part. These moves illustrated long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen’s apparent determination further to undercut the standing of the monarchy and to concentrate power in his own hands.