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Hun Neang
Hun Neang
Hun Neang
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Hun Neang (Khmer: ហ៊ុន នាង, Chinese: 云良[citation needed]; 27 August 1924 – 12 July 2013)[1] was a Cambodian Buddhist monk. He is the father of Senate President Hun Sen and the grandfather of Prime Minister Hun Manet. A devout Buddhist, various schools throughout the country are named in honour after him. Hun Neang's official, full title is "Neak Oknha Moha Pheakdey Saburisak Phoukea Thipadei", which was presented to him by King Norodom Sihamoni in 2011.[1]

Key Information

Biography

[edit]

Hun Neang was born on 27 August 1924, at the district of Stung Trang in Kampong Cham province. He was a resident monk in a local Wat in Kampong Cham province before defrocking himself to join the French resistance and married Hun Sen's mother, Dy Pok in the 1940s. Hun Neang's paternal grandparents were wealthy landowners of Teochew Chinese heritage.[2] Hun Neang inherited some of his family assets and led a relatively comfortable life, as they owned several hectares of land until a kidnapping incident forced their family to sell off much of their assets.[3] His wife Dy Pok died in 1998 of illness at the age of 81.

Hun Neang and Dy Pok had six children, of which Prime Minister Hun Sen is the third child.[1] He also had 30 grandchildren and 66 great grandchildren.[4]

Death and funeral

[edit]

Hun Neang battled health issues in March 2012, according to his son, Hun Sen.[1] He died on Friday, 12 July 2013, aged 88.[1][4]

His funeral was held at Hun Sen's residence near the Independence Monument. Government officials and foreign leaders attended the funeral and sent their condolences to Hun Sen, including Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Thai former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.[citation needed] King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen-Mother Norodom Monineath were also present.[5] He was interred near his wife's crypt in Vongkut Borei Pagoda in Toek Thla commune, Sen Sok district.[5]

Personal life

[edit]

Hun Neang was married to Dy Pok (1920–March 1998) in the 1940s. They had six children.[6] Other sources stated that the couple had seven children, one of whom died before Hun Sen was born.[7]

  • Eldest son: Neak Oknha Oudom Metreivisidh Hun San (b. Hun Long San, 6 July 1948–28 March 2025)[8]
  • Second son: Samdech Uddom Tep Nhean Hun Neng (b. Hun Long Seng, 2 April 1950–5 May 2022)[9][10]
  • Third son: Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen
  • Eldest daughter: Hun Sengny
  • Second daughter: Oknha Hun Sinat
  • Third daughter: Hun Bunthoeun (Hun Thoeun)

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Hun Neang

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from Grokipedia
Hun Neang (Khmer: ហ៊ុន នាង; August 27, 1924 – July 12, 2013) was a Cambodian figure known primarily as the father of longtime and grandfather of current , as well as for his transition from Buddhist to anti-colonial activist and later philanthropist. Born in Stung Trang district, , Neang initially served as a at Wat Ounalom in before defrocking himself after to join the movement against French colonial rule, subsequently marrying Di Pok and fathering six children, including . A devout Buddhist throughout his life, he contributed to repairing s, constructing schools—some named in his honor—and aiding impoverished farmers, earning the honorific title for his charitable efforts. Neang suffered from chronic illness in his later years and died of natural causes at age 88, with his remains interred at a alongside his wife.

Early Life and Background

Birth and Upbringing in Kampong Cham

Hun Neang was born in August 1923 in Stung Trang District, , in what was then . , situated along the River, was a predominantly rural province characterized by agricultural communities reliant on rice farming and during the colonial era. Details of Neang's upbringing remain limited in public records, but he matured in this agrarian environment amid the socio-political tensions of French colonial rule, which included forced labor and taxation systems impacting local Khmer families. As a young man, he entered monastic life as a Buddhist in a local in , reflecting the cultural significance of Buddhism in rural Cambodian society at the time. His early experiences in the province laid the foundation for a life intertwined with religious devotion and eventual involvement in anti-colonial activities.

Family Origins and Socioeconomic Context

Hun Neang was born on August 27, 1924, in Stung Trang district, , , into a Sino-Khmer with Teochew Chinese ancestral roots tracing back to in Province, . His paternal grandparents were prosperous landowners engaged in and farming, which positioned the above the typical socioeconomic stratum in rural . Hun Neang inherited several hectares of family land, enabling a relatively comfortable existence amid the agrarian economy of Kampong Cham, a River lowlands region dominated by subsistence farming and colonial-era exploitation. This inheritance reflected modest wealth derived from agricultural assets, though the family's status was disrupted by a kidnapping incident involving his wife, Dee Yon (also known as Di Pok), whose own father was affluent enough to prompt a demand. He married Di Pok and fathered six children, with , born in 1952, as the third child; the family resided in a local where served as a resident prior to these events. The socioeconomic context underscored vulnerabilities in pre-independence , where landowning families faced risks from banditry and instability, yet benefited from inherited property in a predominantly impoverished rural setting.

Monastic Career and Personal Life

Ordination as a Buddhist Monk

Hun Neang was ordained as a Buddhist monk during the Second and served at Wat Ounalom, a major temple complex in , during the from 1941 to 1945. This period of monastic residence reflects the common practice in rural families of sending sons to temples for and merit accumulation, though specific details of his ceremony, such as the precise date or initiating wat, are not documented in historical records. As a resident monk (nek), he would have observed the disciplinary rules, including celibacy, daily alms rounds, and scriptural study, contributing to the sangha's role in preserving Khmer Buddhist traditions amid colonial disruptions.

Defrocking, Marriage, and Fatherhood

Hun Neang served as a resident Buddhist in a local in before voluntarily himself to join anti-colonial resistance efforts against French rule during the mid-20th century. This decision marked a significant departure from monastic vows, enabling his active involvement in broader nationalist activities. After , Neang married Dee Yon in the 1940s, establishing a family amid 's turbulent transition from colonial oversight. The union produced six children, reflecting traditional rural family structures in post-war . Their third child, born on August 5, 1952, was Hun Bunal, later known as . Neang's transition to lay life and fatherhood aligned with his evolving role from spiritual practitioner to family patriarch and community figure, though he maintained devout Buddhist practices in later years. Reports describe him as a respected who supported his large family, eventually encompassing 30 grandchildren and 66 great-grandchildren by the time of his in 2013.

Role in Cambodian Independence

Participation in Anti-Colonial Resistance

Hun Neang, having defrocked as a Buddhist monk around 1945, initially joined the Khmer Issarak movement, a loose coalition of anti-French nationalists seeking Cambodian independence from colonial rule following World War II. This participation aligned him with the broader Issarak insurgency, which waged guerrilla actions against French forces during the First Indochina War, contributing to the pressure that culminated in Cambodia's nominal independence in 1953. However, internal factionalism within the led to his disillusionment. After a rival Issarak group kidnapped his mother and demanded a that forced the sale of family land, Neang abandoned the movement, viewing it as predatory rather than purely patriotic. He then aligned with French authorities, enlisting in a sponsored local where he participated in counter-insurgency efforts against remaining Issarak holdouts. By 1953, as French influence waned amid the Accords, Neang had risen to chief of the in Peam Koh Sna village, , effectively transitioning from anti-colonial rebel to collaborator in maintaining order under the emerging independent Khmer government. This shift underscores the fragmented nature of Cambodian resistance groups, where personal grievances often superseded ideological commitment.

Transition to Post-Independence Life

Following Cambodia's achievement of from on November 9, 1953, Hun Neang integrated his prior anti-colonial experience into the structures of the new . That same year, he assumed the role of chief of the local in Peam Koh Sna village, Stung Trang district, , a position that formalized his contributions to community security amid the transition from colonial oversight to national governance. This appointment reflected the Cambodian government's emphasis on leveraging trusted local figures for maintaining order in rural areas, where militias served to deter banditry, suppress residual insurgencies, and support the monarchy's consolidation of power under . As militia chief, 's responsibilities likely included organizing patrols, training villagers in basic defense, and coordinating with provincial authorities, though detailed records of his specific actions remain sparse. The role underscored a broader pattern in post-independence , where former resistance participants were absorbed into low-level administrative or positions to stabilize the countryside without disrupting social hierarchies. By this time, having defrocked from monastic life and established a family—including son , born in 1952—Neang balanced these duties with agrarian pursuits, residing in the family home in Peam Kraop village. This phase represented a pragmatic to peacetime realities, distancing Neang from active while preserving his influence in local affairs. No evidence indicates his involvement in national politics or higher military commands during the , suggesting a focus on village-level stability as navigated internal factionalism and external pressures from and .

Later Years and Contributions

Devout Buddhist Practices and Philanthropy

Hun Neang demonstrated lifelong devotion to Buddhism, rooted in his early monastic and persisting after his around 1945. In his later years, he resided at Wat Botum pagoda in , engaging in personal religious observances and supporting the as a lay patron. He was recognized as a staunch supporter of the Mohanikay order, particularly backing figures like Noun Nget during post-independence ecclesiastical reorganizations. His philanthropy aligned closely with Buddhist principles of (generosity), emphasizing merit-making through aid to religious institutions and the needy. Neang funded repairs to dilapidated pagodas across , preserving sacred sites damaged by war and neglect. He also provided direct assistance to impoverished farmers, distributing resources to alleviate rural hardship in and beyond, reflecting traditional Khmer of and community welfare. These efforts earned him the honorary title Neak Moha Pheakdey Saburisak Phoukea Thipadei, bestowed for exemplary service to and society.

Support for Education and Community Development

Hun Neang co-founded the Water Wells Foundation, a aimed at providing clean water access to communities across . This initiative addressed critical infrastructure needs in rural areas, contributing to and development by reducing reliance on contaminated sources. In November 2022, Hun Neang and his wife, Di Pok, donated 10 water wells to villages in Koh Nhek district, Mondulkiri province, as part of ongoing efforts to support remote communities. These installations provided sustainable , aiding daily needs and agricultural activities for local residents. An additional seven wells were pledged in the same effort, demonstrating a commitment to expanding such . Throughout his later years, Hun Neang distributed and gifts to impoverished families, fostering welfare in line with his Buddhist-influenced values of and service. Such actions were noted by mourners at his 2013 , who highlighted his role in alleviating through direct assistance. While specific educational initiatives are less documented, his broader philanthropic legacy, including support, indirectly bolstered local development conducive to schooling and stability.

Family Legacy and Influence

Children and Prominent Descendants

Hun Neang and his wife, Dy Pok, had six children together, including three sons and three daughters. Among the sons, the second-born, Hun Neng (born 1950), served as a permanent member of Cambodia's and as governor of , roles he held until his death from a heart attack on May 5, 2022, at age 72. The third child, (born August 5, 1952), rose to become Cambodia's long-serving from 1985 to 2023, overseeing the country's post-Khmer Rouge reconstruction and while facing international criticism for authoritarian and suppression of opposition. Prominent descendants include grandchildren through Hun Sen, notably his eldest son, (born 1977), who succeeded his father as prime minister on August 22, 2023, after winning a amid the dissolution of major opposition parties. Other notable grandchildren from , such as and , have held military and political positions, including army commands and parliamentary seats, contributing to the family's influence in Cambodian governance. Hun Neang had 30 grandchildren and 66 great-grandchildren at the time of his death in 2013.

Indirect Impact on Cambodian Politics

Hun Neang's indirect influence on Cambodian politics primarily manifested through his son , who assumed the role of in January 1985 and retained it for nearly 38 years until August 2023, during which time he led the (CPP) to unchallenged electoral dominance and oversaw amid allegations of suppressing dissent. Hun Sen's tenure solidified CPP control over legislative and executive branches, with family members occupying key positions that reinforced centralized authority. This dynastic continuity extended to Hun Sen's eldest son, , who was elected by the on August 22, 2023, following a CPP in the July 2023 elections, thereby perpetuating familial oversight of governance structures. Hun Neang's other son, Hun Neng, further exemplified this pattern by serving as a permanent member of the and assuming leadership roles in Kampong Cham and Svay Rieng provinces until his death from a heart attack on May 5, 2022. The Hun family's entrenchment, rooted in Hun Neang's lineage, has facilitated policy persistence on issues like foreign relations and development while drawing scrutiny for enabling patronage networks that underpin CPP .

Death and Commemoration

Illness and Passing

Hun Neang suffered from chronic health issues for approximately a decade before his death, which progressively worsened and rendered him in the months leading up to his passing. He died of natural causes on July 12, 2013, at the age of 88.

Funeral Arrangements and Public Mourning

Hun Neang's body was kept at Hun Sen's residence in Phnom Penh's Daun Penh district following his death on July 12, 2013, with a large white marquee erected for mourners to pay respects. Senior members of the (CPP) and the were invited to offer condolences on July 14, 2013, as part of the initial mourning proceedings organized with assistance from the National Committee on Organizing National and International (NCONIF). The cremation occurred on July 17, 2013, after which his remains were interred at Vongkot Borei in , in a adjacent to that of his , Dy Pok, marking the conclusion of the funeral rites five days after his passing. The interment site, the tallest in the pagoda overlooking a large , reflected Hun Neang's occasional visits to the location where he distributed gifts and donations to monks and adherents. A on July 17 featured two boat-shaped carriages modeled as mythical hong birds, traveling along Norodom and Russian boulevards to the , accompanied by Buddhist incantations. and his wife, , led the final 100 meters on foot, with the ceremony concluding at 8:40 a.m. after the remains were placed beside Dy Pok's. Thousands of mourners, including high-ranking government officials, civil servants, and approximately 100 female students from the Royal University of , attended the proceedings, underscoring public recognition of Hun Neang's and humanitarian efforts despite his low public profile. The event drew international figures such as former Thai Prime Minister , highlighting diplomatic ties amid the mourning. Public expressions of grief focused on his charitable legacy rather than political affiliations.

References

  1. https://www.geni.com/people/Hun-Neang/6000000212144414832
  2. https://english.cambodiadaily.com/2013/07/13/hun-sens-father-passes-away-at-89/
  3. https://english.cambodiadaily.com/2013/07/18/thousands-attend-funeral-to-pay-respects-to-hun-sens-father/
  4. https://www.hrw.org/report/2015/01/12/30-years-hun-sen/violence-repression-and-corruption-cambodia
  5. https://www.startribune.com/father-of-cambodian-prime-minister-hun-sen-dies-of-natural-causes-at-age-of-89/215185051
  6. https://khmer.voanews.com/a/remains-of-hun-sen-father-interred-at-phnom-penh-pagoda/1704523.html
  7. https://factsanddetails.com/southeast-asia/Cambodia/sub5_2a/entry-2871.html
  8. https://apjjf.org/2023/2/galway
  9. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/biography/hun-sen
  10. https://resolve.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/E811993E6B9D78F88A3366DDAEE79EE6/9789814379830c21_p320-336_CBO.pdf/buddhism_in_cambodia_since_1993.pdf
  11. https://eacnews.asia/17307
  12. https://eacnews.asia/home/details/17307%2520
  13. https://eacnews.asia/home/details/12172
  14. https://cambodianess.com/article/prime-ministers-brother-hun-neng-dies-at-72
  15. https://www.hrw.org/report/2018/06/27/cambodias-dirty-dozen/long-history-rights-abuses-hun-sens-generals
  16. https://www.npr.org/2023/08/21/1194972771/cambodia-s-long-serving-prime-minister-steps-down-handing-power-to-his-son
  17. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cambodia-hun-sen-step-down-four-decades/
  18. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/cambodias-new-leader-hun-manet-strongman-or-reformer-2023-08-22/
  19. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/22/cambodian-parliamentarians-elect-hun-sens-son-hun-manet-as-new-pm
  20. https://apnews.com/article/cambodia-hun-manet-parliament-sworn-prime-minister-c3ba3c6dcb065a7d17868027ab00b490
  21. https://www.evidencity.com/cambodia-s-new-hun-clan-heir
  22. https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/news/asean/40051021
  23. https://apnews.com/general-news-e694496bbe53470aa9fcad6cf56269a0
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