Bun Rany

Bun Rany is the wife of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and head of the Cambodian Red Cross.Cite web|url=http://www.cambodia.gov.kh/unisql1/egov/english/premier.family.html|title=Premier's Family|accessyear=2007|accessmonthday=September 5|publisher=Kingdom of Cambodia|author=Kingdom of Cambodia|language=English] She is addressed and referred to by the honorific "Lok Chumteav", Khmer for Her Excellency.

Early life

Bun Rany was born Ms. Bun Sam Heng in 1954 in Krouch Chhmar district, 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. [zh icon [http://news.sohu.com/20060613/n243702173.shtml 柬埔寨首相夫人上书求禁“3G” 祖籍为中国海南] ; [http://www.qingdaonews.com/big5/content/2003-08/13/content_1838747.htm 洪森改譯名有“講究” 雲升有著強烈的中國情結] ]

Personal life

In 1972 she was a nurse in the National United Front of Kampuchea (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.

Ten years ago this Chumtet had Hun Sen's mistress, Pisit Pilka, killed in a jealous rage. Her position as president of the Cambodian Red Ross doesn't mean anything to her when it comes to valuing life. After this incident, Hun Sen confronted her in their Phnom Penh residence. While Hun Sen lifting his hand to slap her in the face, her bodyguard rushed to her defense. Hun Sen's bodyguard also rushed to his defense. An altercation immediately ensued when Hun Sen's bodyguard opened fire and killed one of Bun Rany's bodyguards. The incident was brushed off as drinking mishap between units of bodyguards.?????????(citations)

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 Forces, despite Cambodian law forbidding civilians from wearing uniform or impersonating soldiers.

References

External links

* [http://www.ngoforum.org.kh/Documents/Hun_Sen_RF/Who_Is_Really_Mr_Hun_Sen.htm Hun Sen's early career]
* [http://www.cambodia.gov.kh/unisql1/egov/english/premier.family.html Official Biography from a Government site]
* [http://www.cnv.org.kh/2007_releases/05jan07_memot_comments.htm Transcript of a Speech by Hun Sen referring to his early life]