Hun Manet

Hun Manet (Khmer: ហ៊ុន ម៉ាណែត; born 20 October 1977) is a four-star general in the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), and the commander of Royal Cambodian Army since 2018. He is the eldest son of Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen and Bun Rany. He grew up and received his general education in Phnom Penh and later joined the armed forces in 1995, the same year he entered the United States Military Academy at West Point. Having received his diploma in 1999, Manet became the first Cambodian ever to graduate from the prestigious academy.[2] He has often been mentioned as Hun Sen's potential successor as prime minister, though he has denied interest in the role.[3][4]

Hun Manet
ហ៊ុន ម៉ាណែត
Hun Manet in 2016
Born (1977-10-20) 20 October 1977
Memot, Kampong Cham, Democratic Kampuchea
(now in Tboung Khmum, Cambodia)
NationalityCambodian
EducationUnited States Military Academy (BS)
New York University (MA)
University of Bristol (PhD)
Political partyCambodian People's Party
Spouse(s)Pich Chanmony
Parents
RelativesHun Manith (brother)
Hun Many (brother)
Military career
Allegiance Cambodia
Service/branchRoyal Cambodian Army
Years of service1995–present
Rank General[1]
Commands heldCommander of the Royal Cambodian Army
Prime Minister's Bodyguard Unit
RCAF Joint Staff
National Counterterrorism Task Force
Battles/warsCambodian–Thai border clashes
Awards Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Cambodia
National Defense Medal

Biography

Manet was born on 20 October 1977 in Koh Thmar Village, Memot District, Kampong Cham Province during the Khmer Rouge rule of Cambodia as the second son of Hun Sen and Bun Rany. On the night of his birth, a bright light flew over the roof of the house, of which Hun Sen believed his son was born from a supernatural being that is worshipped in Koh Thmar Village.[5]

Manet grew up and received his General Education in Phnom Penh and later joined the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces in 1995, the same year he entered the United States Military Academy at West Point. Having received his diploma in May 1999, he became the first Cambodian graduate of the Academy. He is the first Cambodia alumnus of the academy, and one of only seven foreign cadets to graduate that year.[2] Upon graduation from West Point, he received his bachelor's degree in Economics and a commission as Lieutenant in the Royal Cambodian Army. He also received his Master of Arts in Economics from New York University, US, in 2002, and a PhD in Economics from University of Bristol, United Kingdom, in 2008.

Manet received appointment as the Commander of Cambodia’s National Counter-Terrorism Special Forces with the rank of Colonel in 2008, with the responsibility to help build Cambodia’s capability to fight against terrorism. He earned the rank of Lieutenant General in June 2013, shortly after being named Deputy Commander of the Royal Cambodian Army and Deputy Chief of Joint Staff of the RCAF. During the 2008-2011 Cambodia-Thai confrontation, Hun Manet played a prominent role in negotiations to end the stand-off. He is also very involved with reforming process of the RCAF, especially focusing on young military officers and soldiers. Apart from professional military duties, he is actively involved with many social programs. He is the Chief of the Samdech Techo Hun Sen Scholarship Committee and the Samdech Techo Scholarship Association, which provides scholarship opportunities to thousands of Cambodian youths to study at universities across Cambodia. He is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Samdech Techo Youth Volunteer Doctor Association (TYDA), which mobilizes thousands of medical professionals, medical students and volunteers to help provide free healthcare to rural Cambodians throughout the country. He is also engaged with a number of other activities to promote humanitarian activities for orphanages and handicaps. Manet is married to Pich Chanmony.

On 30 June 2018, weeks before the parliamentary elections, Hun Sen appointed his second eldest son, Hun Manet, into higher military positions in a bid to prepare his son for the premiership when he retires in politics or dies, effectively solidifying the Hun political dynasty in Cambodia.[6] He has been mentioned by Hun Sen as his potential successor.[7]

In June 2020, Manet was promoted to head of the CPP's youth wing.[8]

Military service

Hun Manet joined the army in 1995, the same year he entered the United States Military Academy. He became Major General in January 2011, just months after being named Deputy Commander of the Royal Cambodian Army and Deputy Chief of the RCAF Joint Staff.[9] Manet played a prominent role in negotiations during the 2008 Cambodian-Thai stand-off. He became a lieutenant general in June 2013,[10] and was later promoted to a four star general in July 2018 coinciding with his taking over responsibilities as the deputy commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RFAC).[11] His younger brother, Hun Manith, also serves in the army, as brigadier general.

Personal life

Hun Manet is married to Pich Chanmony. One of his children is a U.S. citizen who was born while he was studying there.[12]

References
  1. "Hun Manet promoted after royal decree". The Phnom Penh Post. 7 September 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  2. "Like father, like son in Cambodia". Asia Times. March 17, 2011. Retrieved June 1, 2014.
  3. Hutt, David (8 June 2019). "Hun Manet: The Next Prime Minister of Cambodia?". The Diplomat. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  4. Ben, Sokhean (25 October 2018). "Hun Manet can be prime minister if he is elected, says Hun Sen". The Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  5. Vannarin, Neou (May 3, 2013). "Hun Sen Tells of Eldest Son's Supernatural Arrival". The Cambodia Daily. Retrieved June 22, 2014.
  6. "Cambodian strongman's son assumes powerful military roles". The Straits Times. Jun 30, 2018. Retrieved Feb 2, 2021.
  7. "Hun Sen Says Son Is 'Possible Future Leader' of Cambodia". Voice of America. 9 October 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  8. Narim, Khuon (8 June 2020). "CPP promotes Hun Manet to lead party's youth wing". Khmer Times. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  9. Saing Soenthrith and Paul Vrieze (January 30, 2012). "Hun Sen's Second Son In Meteoric Rise Through RCAF Ranks". The Cambodia Daily. Retrieved June 1, 2014.
  10. "Election List May Widen Divide in Hun Sen's Party". Radio Free Asia. February 22, 2013. Retrieved June 22, 2014.
  11. Vichea, Pang (2018-07-02). "Hun Manet is now a four-star General". Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved 2018-09-07.
  12. Ven, Rathavong (4 August 2017). "PM wants grandchild to renounce US nationality". Khmer Times. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
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