Editing Norodom Sihanouk (section)

===Premiership (1955–1960)===
[[File:Mao Sihanouk.jpg|thumb|Meeting in Beijing in 1965: ''(from left)'' [[Mao Zedong]], [[Peng Zhen]], Sihanouk, [[Liu Shaoqi]]]]
Once in office, Sihanouk introduced several constitutional changes, including extending suffrage to women, adopting [[Khmer language|Khmer]] as the sole official language of the country{{sfnp|Jeldres|2005|p=58}} and making Cambodia a [[constitutional monarchy]] by vesting [[Executive (government)|policy-making powers]] in the prime minister rather than the king.{{sfnp|Jeldres|2005|p=59}} He viewed socialism as an ideal concept for establishing social equality and fostering national cohesion within newly independent Cambodia. In March 1956, he embarked on a national programme of "[[Buddhist socialism]]", promoting socialist principles on the one hand while maintaining the kingdom's Buddhist culture on the other.{{sfnp|Chandler|1991|p=87}}

Between 1955 and 1960, Sihanouk resigned and retook the post of prime minister several times, citing fatigue caused by overwork.{{sfnp|Chandler|1991|p=91}} The National Assembly nominated experienced politicians such as [[Sim Var]] and San Yun to become prime minister whenever Sihanouk took leave, but they similarly relinquished their posts each time, several months into their term,{{sfnp|Chandler|1991|pp=95, 98}} as cabinet ministers repeatedly disagreed over public policy matters.{{sfnp|Osborne|1994|p=105}}

In May 1955, Sihanouk had accepted military aid from the US.{{sfnp|Chandler|1991|p=80}} The following January, when he was in the Philippines on a state visit, [[Central Intelligence Agency]] (CIA) operatives attempted to sway him into placing Cambodia under [[Southeast Asia Treaty Organization]] (SEATO) protection.{{sfnp|Sihanouk|1973|pp=78–79}} US Secretary of State [[John Foster Dulles]] went to great efforts to convince Sihanouk, however he refused because "I considered SEATO an aggressive military alliance directed against neighbors whose ideology I did not share but with whom Cambodia had no quarrel".{{sfnp|Sihanouk|1973|page=75}} Subsequently, Sihanouk began to suspect that the US was attempting to undermine his government and that it was lending covert support to the Democratic party, now without parliamentary representation, for that purpose.{{sfnp|Chandler|1991|p=93}} Sihanouk developed a good impression of China, whose premier, [[Zhou Enlai]], gave him a warm reception on his first visit there in February 1956. They signed a friendship treaty in which China promised {{US$|40{{nbsp}}million|link=yes}} in economic aid to Cambodia.{{sfnp|Osborne|1994|p=102}}

When Sihanouk returned from China, [[Sarit Thanarat]] and [[Ngo Dinh Diem]], leaders of Thailand and [[South Vietnam]], respectively, both with pro-American sympathies, started to accuse him of pro-Communist sympathies. South Vietnam briefly imposed a trade embargo on Cambodia, preventing trading ships from travelling up the [[Mekong]] river to [[Phnom Penh]].{{sfnp|Chandler|1991|p=86}} While Sihanouk professed that he was pursuing a policy of [[Neutral country|neutrality]], Sarit and Diem remained distrustful of him, more so after he established formal diplomatic relations with China in 1958.{{sfnp|Osborne|1994|p=152}}

[[File:Prince_Norodom_Sihanouk_with_Philippine_Vice_President_Carlos_P._Garica,_1956-01-30.jpg|thumb|left|[[Carlos P. Garcia]], the then-[[Vice President of the Philippines]] in 1956 with Sihanouk]]
[[File:V.K._Krishna_Menon_speaking_to_Prince_Norodom_Sihanouk.jpg|thumb|left|Indian Defence Minister [[V. K. Krishna Menon]] is seen pictured with Sihanouk]]
The Democratic party continued to criticize the Sangkum and Sihanouk in their newspaper, much to Sihanouk's consternation.{{sfnp|Chandler|1991|p=92}} In August 1957, Sihanouk finally lost patience, calling out Democrat leaders for a debate. Five of them attended. At the debate, held at the [[Royal Palace of Cambodia|Royal Palace]], Sihanouk spoke in a belligerent tone, challenging the Democrat leaders to present evidence of malfeasance in his government and inviting them to join the Sangkum. The Democrat leaders gave hesitant responses, and, according to American historian [[David P. Chandler]], this gave the audience the impression that they were disloyal to the monarchy.{{sfnp|Chandler|1991|p=93}}

The debate led to the effective demise of the Democratic party, as its leaders were subsequently beaten up by government soldiers, with Sihanouk's tacit approval.{{sfnp|Chandler|1991|p=94}} With the Democrats vanquished, Sihanouk focused on preparing for [[1958 Cambodian general election|general elections]], slated to be held in March 1958. He drafted left-wing politicians, including [[Hou Yuon]], [[Hu Nim]] and [[Chau Seng]], to stand as Sangkum candidates, with a view to winning left-wing support from the Pracheachon.{{sfnp|Chandler|1991|p=95}} The Pracheachon on their part fielded five candidates for the elections. However, four of them withdrew, as they were prevented by the national police from holding any election rallies. When voting took place, the Sangkum won all seats in the national assembly.{{sfnp|Chandler|1991|p=96}}

In December 1958 [[Ngo Dinh Nhu]], Diem's younger brother and chief adviser, broached the idea of [[Bangkok Plot|orchestrating a coup]] to overthrow Sihanouk.{{sfnp|Sihanouk|1973|p=105}} Nhu contacted [[Dap Chhuon]], Sihanouk's [[Ministry of Interior (Cambodia)|Interior Minister]], who was known for his pro-American sympathies, to prepare for the coup against his boss.{{sfnp|Chandler|1991|p=101}} Chhuon received covert financial and military assistance from Thailand, South Vietnam, and the CIA.{{sfnp|Osborne|1994|p=110}} In January 1959 Sihanouk learned of the coup plans through intermediaries who were in contact with Chhuon.{{sfnp|Sihanouk|1973|p=107}} The following month, Sihanouk sent the army to capture Chhuon, who was summarily executed as soon as he was captured, effectively ending the coup attempt.{{sfnp|Sihanouk|1973|p=108}} Sihanouk then accused South Vietnam and the United States of orchestrating the coup attempt.{{sfnp|Chandler|1991|p=106}}

Six months later, on 31 August 1959, a small packaged lacquer gift fitted with a [[parcel bomb]] was delivered to the royal palace. [[Norodom Vakrivan]], the chief of protocol, was killed instantly when he opened the package. Sihanouk's parents, Suramarit and Kossamak, were sitting in another room not far from Vakrivan. An investigation traced the origin of the parcel bomb to an American military base in Saigon.{{sfnp|Sihanouk|1973|p=110}} While Sihanouk publicly accused [[Ngo Dinh Nhu]] of masterminding the bomb attack, he secretly suspected that the US was also involved.{{sfnp|Osborne|1994|p=112}} The incident deepened his distrust of the US.{{sfnp|Chandler|1991|p=107}}