Hun Manet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei
Hun Manet
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ហ៊ុន ម៉ាណែត
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Hun Manet in 2025
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| Prime Minister of Cambodia | |
| Assumed office 22 August 2023 |
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| Monarch | Norodom Sihamoni |
| Deputy |
See list
Aun Pornmoniroth
Vongsey Vissoth Sar Sokha Tea Seiha Hangchuon Naron Sok Chenda Sophea Keut Rith Say Sam Al Sun Chanthol Neth Savoeun Hun Many Prak Sokhonn |
| Preceded by | Hun Sen |
| Vice President of the Cambodian People's Party | |
| Assumed office 10 December 2023 |
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| President | Hun Sen |
| Serving with |
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| Preceded by | Hun Sen |
| Member of the National Assembly | |
| Assumed office 21 August 2023 |
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| Constituency | Phnom Penh |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 20 October 1977 Memot, Kampong Cham, Democratic Kampuchea |
| Political party | Cambodian People's Party |
| Spouse |
Pich Chanmony
(m. 2006) |
| Children | 3 |
| Parents |
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| Relatives |
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| Education | |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | Royal Cambodian Army |
| Years of service | 1995–2023 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands |
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| Battles/wars | 2008–2013 Cambodian–Thai border crisis |
| Awards |
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Hun Manet (born 20 October 1977) is a Cambodian politician and military officer. He has been the prime minister of Cambodia since 2023. He is also the vice president of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP), which is the main political party in Cambodia.
Manet grew up and went to school in Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia. In 1995, he joined the armed forces. That same year, he started studying at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He was the first Cambodian to graduate from this famous academy in 1999.
Before becoming prime minister, he was a high-ranking officer in the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF). He served as a deputy commander-in-chief and the commander of the Royal Cambodian Army. When he became prime minister, he received a special honorary title: Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet. This title means "Great Lord and Supreme Leader."
After the 2023 Cambodian general election, his father, Hun Sen, announced he would step down as prime minister. This made Manet the new prime minister-designate. On 22 August 2023, King Norodom Sihamoni officially nominated him. Manet and his cabinet were approved by the National Assembly. They were officially sworn into office on that day.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Manet was born on 20 October 1977, in a village called Koh Thmar. This was in Memot District, Kampong Cham Province. At that time, Cambodia was under the rule of the Khmer Rouge, a difficult period in the country's history. He is the second son of Hun Sen and Bun Rany. His family has Teochew Chinese heritage from his grandfather.
Manet attended school in Phnom Penh. In 1995, he joined the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces. He also began his studies at the United States Military Academy, West Point, with a scholarship from Thailand. He graduated in May 1999, earning a bachelor's degree in economics. He was one of only seven international students to graduate that year. After West Point, he became a lieutenant in the Royal Cambodian Army.
He continued his education, earning a master's degree in economics from New York University in 2002. Later, in 2009, he received a PhD in economics from the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom. His PhD research was about what makes businesses different sizes and how they are connected.
Military Service
Hun Manet joined the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) in 1995. In January 2011, he became a Major General. This was shortly after he was named deputy commander of the Royal Cambodian Army. He also became deputy chief of the RCAF Joint Staff.
Manet played an important role during the 2008 Cambodian–Thai stand-off. This was a disagreement between Cambodia and Thailand over a border area. In June 2013, he was promoted to lieutenant general. Then, in July 2018, he became a four-star general. This promotion came with new duties as deputy commander-in-chief of the RCAF. His younger brother, Hun Manith, also serves in the RCAF.
On 20 April 2023, Manet was officially promoted to four-star general. The Minister of Defence, Tea Banh, said this promotion showed Manet's hard work. It recognized his efforts to serve Cambodia, its military, and its people.
In June 2018, before the parliamentary elections, Hun Sen gave Manet higher military positions. This was seen as a way to prepare his son to become prime minister in the future. Hun Sen had often mentioned Manet as a possible successor.
Political Career
In June 2020, Hun Manet was given a new role. He was promoted to lead the youth section of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP).
Many news outlets and even his father, Hun Sen, had mentioned him as a possible future prime minister. On 4 December 2021, the CPP Central Committee voted. They all agreed that Manet would be the party's next candidate for prime minister after Hun Sen. This made him the person expected to become the next leader.
On 7 August 2023, King Norodom Sihamoni issued a royal decree. This official order appointed Manet as the Prime Minister of Cambodia. It also asked him to form a new government.
Premiership
Hun Sen first publicly supported Manet as prime minister in December 2021. Manet himself never said he wanted the job. However, he had strong support from many government ministers and party members. The powerful CPP Standing Committee also supported him. Hun Sen had said that the change in leadership would happen after the 2028 election.
Manet was the top candidate for Phnom Penh in the 2023 general election. This was a necessary step to become prime minister. Three days after the election, the CPP won by a large margin. Hun Sen then announced he was stepping down. He confirmed that Manet would be the new prime minister. The new government was sworn in on 22 August 2023.
One of Manet's first official actions as prime minister was in March 2024. He banned musical truck horns. He said he was bothered by people "dancing on the street to the musical beats of big cars." Manet also told officials to improve train travel across Cambodia. On 5 August 2024, his government started the Funan Techo Canal Project. This project will connect the Mekong River to Cambodia's coast. It will help Cambodia rely less on Vietnamese ports.
Thailand Border Situation
As prime minister, Manet has been involved in the 2025 Cambodia–Thailand border conflict. This situation saw an increase in tensions in July 2025.
Personal Life
Hun Manet is married to Pich Chanmony. She is the daughter of Pich Sophoan. Her father was a former secretary of state at the Ministry of Labour.
See also
In Spanish: Hun Manet para niños
- Political family
