Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet
(1) Personal information and family
Born on October 20, 1977, in Samrong Tbong Village, Treak Commune, Memot District, Kampong Cham province (now Tbong Khmum province), to the mother Bun Rany and the father Hun Sen, His Excellency Kitti Tesaphibal Bindit Hun Manet is the second child in the family. His siblings are Hun Komsat, the elder brother (born on November 10, 1976 – dead); Hun Mana, a sister (September 15, 1980); Hun Manit, a brother (October 17, 1981); Hun Many, a brother (November 27, 1982) and Hun Maly, the youngest sister (December 30, 1983).
On May 5, 2020, at the funeral of his grandmother Bun Seangly, Dr. Hun Manet was ordained before the cremation fire. The abbey Samdech Pothivong Am Lim Heng blessed Dr. Hun Manet with the title of “Samaner Chanthammo,” – a person with Dharma as cold as the moon – until he left the Buddhist monkhood in the morning of May 11, 2020.
HE Kitti Tesaphibal Bindit Hun Manet married Lok Chumteav Dr. Pech Chanmony on January 7, 2006 and has three children: 1) Hun Pech Monyvoleak (July 25, 2007), 2) Hun Pech Monilina (September 1, 2010), and 3) Hun Pich Monirithisith (October 09, 2017).
(2) Education
From 1980 to 1990, in his childhood, Dr. Hun Manet attended the Komarei Primary and Secondary School (now Chaktomuk Primary and Secondary School). From 1990 to 1993, Dr. Hun Manet continued his studies at Phnom Daun Penh High School (now Preah Sisowath High School).
After graduating from high school, Dr. Hun Manet went on to study at the American Military Academy at West Point, USA, in 1995, and successfully graduated on May 29, 1999. Dr. Hun Manet is the first Cambodian to attend the well-known United States Military Academy.
In 2002, Dr. Hun Manet pursued a Master of Arts in Economics at the New York University, USA.
In 2008, Dr. Hun Manet completed his PhD in Economics at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom.
(3) Political career
On June 8, 2020, the Standing Committee of the Central Committee of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) issued a decision to promote HE Dr. HUN Manet from the post of Vice President to the President of the Central Youth Wing of the Cambodian People’s Party.
On August 7, 2023, His Majesty the King Norodom Sihamoni issued a Royal Decree appointing His Excellency Dr. Hun Manet as the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia for the 7th legislature of the National Assembly, entrusting the task to form the Royal Government to seek the National Assembly’s approval.
On Monday, August 22, 2023, the first session of the 7th legislature of the National Assembly voted to give confidence to Prime Minister His Excellency Kitti Tesaphibal Bindit Hun Manet and the composition of the Council of Ministers of the Royal Government.
(4) Positions and jobs in the field of national defense
In 1995, before continuing his studies at the West Point Military Academy in the United States, Dr. Hun Manet already joined the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces as a military officer.
In September 1999, Dr. Hun Manet was appointed Deputy Chief of Bodyguard of then Prime Minister – Samdech Techo Hun Sen.
In 2008, Dr. Hun Manet was promoted to Colonel in the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and became Commander of the Anti-Terrorism Special Forces.
From 2008 to 2011, Dr. Hun Manet played a key role in the negotiations and put into use battle-fighting tactics as the Cambodian army faced an armed confrontation with the Thai army at the Temple of Preah Vihear.
On June 19, 2013, Dr. Hun Manet was promoted from Lieutenant General to General after being appointed Deputy Commander of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.
On June 30, 2018, Dr. Hun Manet was appointed Joint Chiefs of Staff and Deputy Commander of the Army, entrusting the task of acting Joint Chiefs of Staff and Acting Commander of the Army.
On July 6, 2018, His Majesty the King Norodom Sihamoni issued a Royal Decree appointing Gen. Hun Manet as Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces in addition to his existing position.
On September 6, 2018, His Majesty the King Norodom Sihamoni issued a Royal Decree to promote Gen. Hun Manet as Commander of Army in addition to his existing position.
(5) National and Social Achievements
As far as activities for the benefit of society are concerned, HE Kitti Tesaphibal Bindit Hun Manet had been the Chairman of the Samdech Techo Scholarship Committee and Association, which provided opportunities for Cambodian youths to pursue higher education throughout the country.
Thanks to the initiation and guidance of His Excellency Kitti Tesaphibal Bindit chairs the Board of Directors of the Samdech Techo Voluntary Youth Doctors Association (TYDA), which was established on December 27, 2012, has been active in providing free health care services to rural Cambodians, in addition to active participation in solving public health crisis.
During the phase that the country fought against Covid-19 disease, His Excellency Kitti Tesaphibal Bindit HUN Manet actively and effectively participated in leading the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces in support of the Royal Government’s efforts to combat this deadly disease.
(6) Titles, Awards and Medals
On August 8, 2023, with the conferment of the only special honorary title of the Royal Academy of Cambodia by His Majesty the King Norodom Sihamoni, his official title is “His Excellency Kitti Tesaphibal Bindit Hun Manet”.
On September 2, 2023, His Majesty Preah Karuna Preah Baat Samdech Preah Boromneat Norodom Sihamoni conferred His Excellency Kitti Tesaphibal Bindit the title of “Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet.”