(1) Started working at somewhat 20s and 30s, and wish to stay another twenty years
We all need to take care of our health. In the Senate, just in the past year, two people have left us. It all happened more than 40 years ago. We started working at relatively the age of 20, under 30, or slightly over 30. Up to now, we are all in somewhat same age. Samdech Kralahom is one year older than I am. The Deputy President of the Senate – His Excellency Ouch Borith – is one year older than I am. Cham Prasit is one year older than I am. Finally, people who have been working closely with me are older than I am. We promised each other, however, that we would do our best to last another 20 years. This target could be possible because my strength in golf skills is still strong […]
(2) Chea Sim Kamchaymar Education and Training Center, formerly Maharishi Vedic University, began operation since 1993
Having come to meet you all here, I should talk a little about the history of this (Chea Sim Kamchaymar Education and Training) Center (the Chea Sim University of Kamchaymear, formerly Maharishi Vedic University). It did not begin in the Second Kingdom period. The history of the Center began in the former State of Cambodia. There was help from an organization called “Maharishi Vedic” […] We wanted this remote area to have a university. This organization visited me often. We had made efforts for this university to come to Kamchaymear and it has been operating since 1993, even before the general election. The negotiations (to set the university) started even a few years before. At that time, Samdech Heng Samrin was the President of the State Council, Samdech Chea Sim was the President of the National Assembly, and I was the President of the Council of Ministers […]
(3) Some medical students continued training in military medical school
In 1997, I came for the degree conferment ceremony here. At that time, the houses around here were all made of bamboo or wood. There came a time when the (Maharishi Vedic) organization faced financial difficulties. Some students, especially those who had studied medicines here, came to my house in Takhmao asking me to help figure out how they could continue their studies. I had no choice but to send those medical students to the military medical school to help them continue and finish their training so that they could graduate. Some other students went to study in other facilities. There was an attempt to close it, but Samdech Kralahom and Samdech Chea Sim tried everything they could not to close it and to continue this effort […]
(4) The Chea Sim Kamchaymar ETC provide training for kindergarten, primary and high school teachers/professors, and entrepreneurship
From 1997, when it was planned to close down, to present, the school has grown enormously, and in estimation, the size of development could have absorbed around 30-40 million USD, as it has now become (Chea Sim Kamchaymar Education and Training) Center. Originally, it was Samdech Chea Sim University (after it was the Maharishi Vedic University). Now, it is not a separate university of Samdech Chea Sim, but an educational and training center to provide training for teachers of kindergarten to primary school, professors of secondary school to high school, and of entrepreneurship. It clearly indicates the process of growth. The national budget is very small, but the philanthropists have helped a lot. I have helped intervene for 10 years, as Dr. Seth Khan, the university president, reported […]
(5) Former CPP chairman and Senate president Samdech Chea Sim inscribed among those who help Chea Sim Kamchaymar ETC
The have been proposals to me for some assistances. I already instructed in writing what to do but I will take it to Phnom Penh first. I will announce in a moment what I will do in the Chea Sim Kamchaymar ETC. Please allow me to take this opportunity to thank the management team, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, His Excellency Sar Sokha, who had been the chairman of the board of directors of this center. Making it happen is a difficult thing, but ensuring its sustainability is even more difficult. Along with these achievements, there has been effort to ensure sustainability, to improve the quality of training in becoming a training center, and inscribed among those who help is Samdech Chea Sim the (former) CPP chairman and Senate president […]
(6) “Into older age, let’s go places, drink tea, and look on how younger generation continues to fulfil mission”
If I could recall, I arrived here on December 12, 1997, at the first graduation ceremony. On January 30, 2012, there was a meeting with professors, teachers, and students at the construction site of the school building. On March 6, 2013, I attended the inauguration of the National University of Chea Sim Kamchaymear. Now, this time, on July 3, 2025, I am here for the fourth time and hopefully not the last time. We have promised each other that as we are into our older age, we will go places, drink tea with sugar, because it is time to look on what the younger generation has continued to fulfil […] Deputy Prime Minister His Excellency Sar Sokha is the head of the working group for the government, and the CPP working group is handled by Samdech Kralahom. In the past, Samdech Kralahom held both the party and the government […] This is the method we have been using for a long time […] We divide the tasks among ourselves to help providing strength and speed to the locals […]
(7) “Running border line to deep-water area” between Cambodia and Vietnam and Cambodia and Laos is a win-win solution
Yesterday I went to visit at the Muen Chey International Border Gate […] I hope that Prime Minister Hun Manet and the Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính will officially inaugurate the gate soon. I noticed the border posts in the water. It should be noted that the negotiations between Cambodia and Vietnam on the border settlement have a good thing. which the two sides agreed to “run the border line, which has been drawn sometimes along the estuary on the Cambodian side, and sometimes along the estuary on the Vietnamese side) to the deep-water area.” This is not a simple matter […] Implementing the principle of lowering the border line to the deep-water area is a win-win solution, and we have done this with Laos to ensure that people on both sides have access to water, can fish and draw water for crops. This is a border of peace, friendship, cooperation and development […]
(8) Prey Veng province will see increased trade through Muen Chey international border crossing opening
The main goal of opening the Muen Chey border crossing is to promote economic and trade connections, which allow for the exchange of goods and services. It is hoped that Prey Veng province will see increased trade through the opening of the Muen Chey international border crossing […] The trade volume between Cambodia and Vietnam has exceeded the billion-dollar mark. On April 29, one day before the 50th anniversary of the liberation of southern Vietnam, Minister of Trade Cham Nimol signed with Vietnamese ministers a target to increase trade volume to 20 billion USD. Now, looking at the import and export between the two countries, there is a somewhat similarity. Previously, we imported most of it from Vietnam and exported less. Now, according to the 2024 figures, we exported more to Vietnam than we imported from Vietnam […]
(9) A memorial in honor of those escaped Pol Pot’s execution to Vietnam through Muen Chey proposed
Samdech Kralahom escaped (from the Khmer Rouge killing pursuit) at the Meun Chey area. So did Samdech Chea Sim. At that time, Pol Pot ordered to execute them. So, they had to flee to Vietnam. For this reason, I propose that a memorial be built to honor the spirit. Now, I have thought with Samdech Kralahom that we should do it at the Party Museum […] (We should) try to find a date in the period such as September 1978 […] A force of about 20,000 people, according to Samdech Kralahom’s figures, passed through that route to Vietnam. They later became the source of my recruitment to prepare additional troops, in addition to some (that had been) recruited (earlier). Let us remember that after the establishment of the (National United) Front (for Salvation of Kampuchea), I went to visit those who fled through that route, including the venerable Long Sim, Prach Sun, Chey Kanha, Chan Ven, etc. as shown in the pictures with me. This is the history of the struggle […]
(10) From 1970 to now, being alive through 55 years is unbelievable
There is another story, the era of His Majesty the King Father calling for Cambodians to join the “maquis,” (guerrilla forces to fight against the established Lon Nol government) which was along this border line […] This is a memory related to Cambodia struggling since the French era. The resistance bases in that area were all connected to one another on that part of the country in 1970. I was on the Memot (district) side. When fighting Pol Pot, I left (from Cambodia) through the Memot crossing. Samdech Chea Sim, Samdech Kralahom left (from Cambodia) through the Muen Chey. Samdech Heng Samrin left through the Memot. From 1978 to now, it has been 47 years […] or if we talk from 1970 to now, it has been 55 years, and it is unbelievable that we could have survived this. We thought we could not have lived through it. I always think surprisingly how “I could survive it alive”. During the fighting era […] I was wounded five times, and lost one eye. This was the era of the war with Lon Nol, who had the support from abroad. Then, surviving the the Pol Pot era was also unbelievable […]
(11) “Those who know more teach those who know little, those who know little teach those who don’t know” in practice
We started from a difficult situation, even after liberation, we had nothing to eat. As the Minister of Foreign Affairs, I received a monthly ration of 16 kilograms of food, which included 10 kilograms of rice and six kilograms of corn. We had to pick bananas in Phnom Penh for more staple consumption […] We started from when children studied under people’s houses, under trees, under monks’ residences. The 1979 school year came, and we were able to open only a few schools. We didn’t have teachers. So, the only way to deal with that was someone who had his study from the former sixth grade teach those who were at the fifth grade (in the new system) […] The saying “those who know more teach those who know little, and those who know little teach those who don’t know” had been born practically […]
(12) The current monarch has reigned in peace and stability
We worked hard to find a solution to end the war. The King-Father and I started peace negotiations, which later we reestablished the second phase of the monarchy […] From 1993 until now, it has been 32 years. Of the 32 years, His Majesty the King, the current monarch, has reigned for 20 years. The reigns of both the late King Father and the current His Majesty have provided peace and stability. The Royal Government has promoted an average economic growth of 7% before COVID-19. (These achievements) stem from the implementation of win-win politics, which began in 1996 and ended in 1998 […]
(13) “Amending Constitution to allow revoking citizenship can be done as long as it does not contradict the articles on Constitutional monarchy and multi-party liberal democracy
Let us inform the opposition. You may say whatever you want to. The parliament will convene an extraordinary session on July 11. The Constitution will be amended to provide for the possibility of revoking citizenship. Should you conspire with foreigners against Cambodians, you would be drowning. This time, it is a joint proposal between the 125 members of the National Assembly and the Royal Government, requesting to HM the King. His Majesty the King asked the Constitutional Council for advice. The Constitutional Council responded that “it can be done” as long as it does not contradict the articles on the Constitutional monarchy and the multi-party liberal democracy […] We will ensure that “the monarchy is not transformed into a republic” though some have called for the dissolution of the monarchy. Only a military coup can do it. However, you do not have the ability to carry out a military coup […]
(14) The opposition may say it is a dynasty but everyone wants children to do well
After Hun Sen, there is still Hun Manet, after Sar Kheng, there is still Sar Sokha, and after Tea Banh, there is still Tea Seiha, and other leader’s children would continue. If you want to say it is a dynasty, you can go on saying that, but we did not train our children to be thieves. Who does not want their children to do well? You also want your children to do well. They may take it through the election. The like of you always say that the election is not fair. Every time the like of you lose election, you always cry fool. After enough crying fool, the like of you entered the parliament. In one of the last elections, HM the King convened a meeting (in Phnom Penh), they went to a meeting in Siem Reap. While we took the oath at the Royal Palace, they went to take the oath in front of Angkor Wat temple. It could be that because they betrayed their oath that the party was dissolved […]
(15) So that there is no embarrassment, tell their people the adjustment is over and normal operation is underway from 6am to 10pm at all border crossings
I have something that I want to say a little bit. I don’t want to speak for the Prime Minister, but just to help the Prime Minister clarify the issue of closing or opening the border with Thailand. There was a meeting led by the acting Minister of National Defense in Bangkok and they announced, “We didn’t close the border. We only adjusted the (opening and closing) time” […] Closing the border and adjusting the (opening and closing) time are the same […] Now, so that there is no embarrassment, they could tell their people. We don’t care about closing or adjusting the time. What we want is the original situation before June 7.
They could just tell their own people, “From now on, the adjustment (of closing and opening time) is completed and normal operation is underway from 6am to 10pm at all border crossings” […] The Cambodian side only needs the border crossings to operate as before they adjusted or closed them unilaterally. There is no need to talk about negotiation […] The special envoy of the Japanese Prime Minister, who has investments in Thailand and Cambodia, came to see me about his investment in Cambodia and in Thailand, […] that the equipment is interconnected. It is difficult. I told him that this matter was (brought upon Cambodia) by Thailand and he should tell Thailand to let the border crossings operation as before, and everything will be as usual. It’s not difficult […]
(16) Three strategic things should not be bought from Thailand
(Vice President of the Senate HE Ouch) Borith sent me an article at about 12 o’clock midnight […] (they claimed) contacting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Tea Seiha. If it was not what they said, let Seiha reply that there was no such contact. Don’t lie. They like to lie. Not only to the Cambodian people, but also to the Thai people and the world […] Cambodia must be careful. (I shall recommend that) Cambodia don’t buy strategic goods from Thailand. Firstly, absolutely don’t buy electricity. The former Minister of National Defense, now the Minister of Interior, didn’t answer my question about (what he said Cambodian) still using electricity from Thailand […] I said it clearly if he can’t come out and explain, he is not human. To the journalist who asked, he (answered) “what I’m listening to Hun Sen for” […] Secondly, don’t (buy) the internet at all […] We have (many) resources and sources. Thirdly, don’t buy fuel and gas. If there is a cut, we will have a hard time. This is not a new thing. During the conflict with the Abhisit Vejjajiva there was also threats like that […]
(17) Who is really in power in Thailand? Cambodia looks for the one who has the right to decide
Regarding what happened to the national road No. 68. We knew they plan to block the financial assistance. We announced that we would build the road with our own money […] Abhisit Vejjajiva from Songkhla called me and said, “How come?” I replied, “There was a threat not to give money (to build the road). So, I don’t need to take it.” From Tboung Khmum province, I announced that Cambodia wouldn’t take it. I handed over the funds to Gen. Kvan Siem’s Engineering Corps of the General Command. Please don’t lay out that scenario (of threatening Cambodians) […] The Thai movie is over […] that Thailand threats to stop selling oil and gas, we stopped buying first […] PTT, operating in Cambodia, is a Thai company. It may buy fuel from Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam. Your stations don’t need to change names, but don’t buy fuel from Thailand […]
Cambodia still wants to have good neighborly relations. As long as the border issue is resolved, returning to the situation before June 7, 2025, we would restart negotiations […] The Thai side has ordered (border gates) open or close and/or adjustment (of the opening and closing time) at their own free will. We don’t know which message is true or false. When we bring it up, they say that we are interfering in internal affairs, and it is against the ASEAN Charter. Now let’s ask – who is in power in Thailand today. We can’t find the real one. For example, we are to make peace with the Prime Minister, but would the Thai general be okay with it? Who is really in power? This is not a matter of interference, but we are looking for the one who has the right to decide. (For Cambodia,) in the past, only Hun Sen had the right to decide. Now, only Hun Manet has the right to decide. I cannot speak for him […]
(18) CPP’s founding members came from different regions and times, but with a common goal and remains one political party of the strongest unity
They haven’t put us (former generation) in a museum yet. They still need our group to talk. If they put us in a museum, it will be a loss. Everyone must remember what I am going to say. I want to say this a little before we part ways. When we started the front, we came from five different groups. The greatest pride of the Cambodian People’s Party is that the founding members came from different regions, different times, but with a common goal. From five groups, we have remained one political party and have the strongest unity. No one can separate us. The older generation worked together, going through many difficulties. So, the next generation, whether they continue at the middle level, the lower level, or continue wherever they are, must remember that their parents worked hard to live together, from nothing to eat, being hungry, to having good wines. If there were to be a separation, it would not be right. That would be a political ingratitude. The strength of the People’s Party stays there. Once it is there, no one can separate us […]
(19) CPP observes rule of “collective leadership, individual responsibility, minority respects for the majority, and centralized democratic process”
Having different opinions in the Party is a normal process of democracy. No party has more internal democracy than the Cambodian People’s Party […] The Cambodian People’s Party has a special feature that when the party decides, it uses the rule of “collective leadership, individual responsibility, minority respect for the majority, and centralized democratic process”. You may want to call it communism, but this is not a club. This is real politics […] I have talked now about some history (of the party), but it is a true story of our past, and most importantly, the Cambodian People’s Party knows how to be together. This is not a show. We agree to celebrate this ceremony for Samdech Chea Sim. The original owner of the celebration is the family, but with this, the original owner of the celebration looks like the Cambodian People’s Party, the government, and the family – together in one. This celebration shows the unity […]./.