Bun Rany
Encyclopedia
Dr. Bun Rany (born 1954) is the wife of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen
and head of the Cambodian Red Cross
. She is addressed and referred to by the honorific "Lok Chumteav", Khmer
for Her Excellency.
, Kampong Cham Province. She was the fourth of five children from a farming family, and is of Chinese
descent, with roots from Hainan
province in China.
(NUFK) forces. She met Hun Sen in 1973 in a dispensary in Kampong Cham when he was recovering from a wounded leg. On January the 5th 1976, she married Hun Sen in a group marriage ceremony with 12 other handicapped ex-combatants. Though the marriage was organised by the Khmer Rouge Angkar (organisation) it was also desired by both partners. Hun Sen reports that he had asked his commander for permission to marry Rany. On November 10, 1976, Bun Rany gave birth to their first child, a son, who died later the same day. In 1980, her father was killed by the Khmer Rouge
during a raid on the family village.
Currently, Samdech Hun Sen and Chumteav Bun Rany have six children, three sons and three daughters (one of them adopted). Their names are Hun Manet, Hun Mana, Hun Manit, Hun Mani, Hun Mali, and Hun Malis.
In October 1999, following the public assassination of popular Cambodian actress Pisith Pilika
, the French magazine L’Express claimed that the actress’ diary recounted a love affair with Hun Sen and pointed to Bun Rany as responsible for arranging the shooting; the magazine also claimed that on her deathbed the actress had named Bun Rany to several people. Bun Rany quickly denounced these charges, and announced that she would press charges against L’Express for defamation. No charges were ever brought against l'Express, however.
, despite Cambodian law forbidding civilians from wearing uniform or impersonating soldiers.
Hun Sen
Hun Sen is the current Prime Minister of Cambodia.He has been the sole leader of the Cambodian People's Party , which has governed Cambodia since the Vietnamese-backed overthrow of the Khmer Rouge in 1979...
and head of the Cambodian Red Cross
Cambodian Red Cross
The Cambodian Red Cross is the largest humanitarian organization in Cambodia. Established on the 18 February 1955, it is officially recognized by the Royal Government as the primary auxiliary to the public authorities in humanitarian services...
. She is addressed and referred to by the honorific "Lok Chumteav", Khmer
Khmer language
Khmer , or Cambodian, is the language of the Khmer people and the official language of Cambodia. It is the second most widely spoken Austroasiatic language , with speakers in the tens of millions. Khmer has been considerably influenced by Sanskrit and Pali, especially in the royal and religious...
for Her Excellency.
Early life
Bun Rany was born Ms. Bun Sam Heng in Krouch Chhmar districtKrouch Chhmar District
Krouch Chhmar District is a district located in Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia. The district capital is Krouch Chhmar town located around 35 kilometres north east of the provincial capital of Kampong Cham by water. The Mekong River forms western and northern borders of the districts and includes...
, Kampong Cham Province. She was the fourth of five children from a farming family, and is of Chinese
Chinese Cambodian
Chinese Cambodians are Cambodian citizens of Chinese descent. "Khmer-Chen", is used for peoples of either mixed Cambodian & Chinese descent or people of whom are Cambodian born citizens with Chinese ancestry;...
descent, with roots from Hainan
Hainan
Hainan is the smallest province of the People's Republic of China . Although the province comprises some two hundred islands scattered among three archipelagos off the southern coast, of its land mass is Hainan Island , from which the province takes its name...
province in China.
Personal life
In 1972 she was a nurse in the National United Front of KampucheaNational United Front of Kampuchea
The Front uni national du Kampuchéa, also called Front uni national khmer , often abbreviated as FUNK, was an organisation formed by the deposed King of Cambodia, Norodom Sihanouk in 1970 while he was in exile in Beijing.-History:The front was supposed to be an umbrella organization of forces that...
(NUFK) forces. She met Hun Sen in 1973 in a dispensary in Kampong Cham when he was recovering from a wounded leg. On January the 5th 1976, she married Hun Sen in a group marriage ceremony with 12 other handicapped ex-combatants. Though the marriage was organised by the Khmer Rouge Angkar (organisation) it was also desired by both partners. Hun Sen reports that he had asked his commander for permission to marry Rany. On November 10, 1976, Bun Rany gave birth to their first child, a son, who died later the same day. In 1980, her father was killed by the Khmer Rouge
Khmer Rouge
The Khmer Rouge literally translated as Red Cambodians was the name given to the followers of the Communist Party of Kampuchea, who were the ruling party in Cambodia from 1975 to 1979, led by Pol Pot, Nuon Chea, Ieng Sary, Son Sen and Khieu Samphan...
during a raid on the family village.
Currently, Samdech Hun Sen and Chumteav Bun Rany have six children, three sons and three daughters (one of them adopted). Their names are Hun Manet, Hun Mana, Hun Manit, Hun Mani, Hun Mali, and Hun Malis.
In October 1999, following the public assassination of popular Cambodian actress Pisith Pilika
Pisith Pilika
Oak Eap Pili , was a Cambodian ballet dancer and actress. Pilika appeared in hundreds of movies and thousands of karaoke ranging from the 1980s through the 1990s. Her career was brought to a premature end when she was murdered by a gunshot.-Early life:Piseth Pilika was born to Oak Harl and Meng...
, the French magazine L’Express claimed that the actress’ diary recounted a love affair with Hun Sen and pointed to Bun Rany as responsible for arranging the shooting; the magazine also claimed that on her deathbed the actress had named Bun Rany to several people. Bun Rany quickly denounced these charges, and announced that she would press charges against L’Express for defamation. No charges were ever brought against l'Express, however.
Political life
Although Bun Rany Hun Sen holds no elected office, Cambodian political life means she is accorded much power and respect due to her marriage. She is addressed as Lok Chumteav, Khmer for "Her/Your Excellency", a rank equivalent to minsterial Secretary of State, and has worn military uniform in public and taken salutes from General officers of the Royal Cambodian Armed ForcesRoyal Cambodian Armed Forces
The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces are the national military forces of Cambodia. The Commander-in-Chief is HM King Norodom Sihamoni, and consists of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Special Forces....
, despite Cambodian law forbidding civilians from wearing uniform or impersonating soldiers.