In Tam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
In Tam
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| អ៊ិន តាំ | |
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| Prime Minister of the Khmer Republic | |
| In office 6 May 1973 – 9 December 1973 |
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| President | Lon Nol |
| Preceded by | Hang Thun Hak |
| Succeeded by | Long Boret |
| President of the National Assembly | |
| In office 18 March 1970 – 11 March 1971 |
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| Prime Minister | Lon Nol |
| Preceded by | Ek Yi Oun |
| Succeeded by | Yem Sambaur |
| Minister of Interior | |
| In office 1964–1966 |
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| Prime Minister | Norodom Kantol |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 22 September 1916 Kampong Cham, Cambodia, French Indochina |
| Died | 1 April 2006 (aged 89) Chandler, Arizona, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic Party |
In Tam (Khmer: អ៊ិន តាំ; 22 September 1916 – 1 April 2006) was an important Cambodian politician. He served as the prime minister of the Khmer Republic. He held this top position from May to December 1973. In Tam had a long and active career in Cambodian politics.
Contents
Political Career Highlights
Early Life and Government Roles
In Tam was born in a village called Prek Kak. This village is in Kampong Cham Province, in eastern Cambodia. As a child, he studied at a pagoda. Later, he attended a school called Lycee Sisowath.
He began his career as an inspector for the local police. He eventually became a general. He then rose to the position of governor of Takeo Province.
Serving in the Sangkum Government
During the 1960s, In Tam worked for Prince Norodom Sihanouk's government. This government was known as the Sangkum. He held several important jobs. One of his most notable roles was as the interior minister. He served in this role from 1964 to 1966.
Role in the 1970 Coup
In Tam played a key part in the Cambodian coup of 1970. This event removed Prince Sihanouk from power. The vote to remove Sihanouk happened under In Tam's direction. He was the President of the National Assembly at the time. In October 1970, In Tam officially announced the start of the Khmer Republic.
Challenges and Elections
After 1970, In Tam often disagreed with Lon Nol. Lon Nol was the leader of the coup. In October 1971, Lon Nol took away the National Assembly's law-making powers. He said it was because of the ongoing Cambodian Civil War. In Tam and 400 monks protested against this decision.
In 1972, In Tam ran for president. He was against Lon Nol and Keo An. Many people believed In Tam was a very experienced politician. He was also known for being honest. He came in second place in the election. He received 24% of the votes. Many thought he would have won if the election had been fair. He even won in the capital city, Phnom Penh.
In Tam's Democratic Party later refused to join the parliamentary elections. They protested rules that seemed to favor Lon Nol's party.
Prime Minister and Later Life
The next year, In Tam served as prime minister. He held this role for seven months. He was part of Lon Nol's government. Later, he led a program to encourage communist fighters to join the government side. After this, he decided to retire from politics. He went to live with his family in Battambang. Long Boret took over as prime minister after him.
When the Khmer Rouge took control of Cambodia in April 1975, In Tam was at his farm. He quickly fled to Thailand to escape. He tried to organize a group to fight against the Khmer Rouge. However, Thai authorities sent him away. He then went to France. In 1976, he moved to the United States and was given a safe place to live.
Life in Exile
After the Khmer Rouge regime was overthrown by Vietnam, In Tam supported Prince Norodom Sihanouk. He joined Sihanouk's FUNCINPEC organization. This group was against the Vietnamese-backed government. In Tam became the commander of FUNCINPEC's military group, called the MOULINAKA. This group was later known as the Armée nationale sihanoukiste. Prince Norodom Ranariddh took over from him in 1985.
In Tam was one of three ministers of National Defense. He served in the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea. He later restarted the Cambodian Democratic Party. However, his party did not win any seats in the 1993 Cambodian general election. In 1997, he formed an alliance with the Cambodian People's Party.
In Tam passed away in Chandler, Arizona, in the United States. He was survived by three of his seven children and many grandchildren.
