On October 20, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet celebrated his 49th birthday. He and his wife visited a special education high school in Phnom Penh that day, spent time with hearing-impaired students, chatted with them and arranged meals for them, spending his birthday on the school campus.
Hun Manet was born on October 20, 1977, in Memot District of the former Kampong Cham Province, now part of Tboung Khmum Province.
Hun Sen once recalled that among his five children, Hun Manet's childhood was particularly difficult. Cambodia was in turmoil at the time, and before Hun Manet was born, his father left home to devote himself to saving the country, while his mother was forced into hiding because of the family's circumstances. Hun Manet did not see his father again until he was over one year old.
Hun Manet later studied abroad and graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1999, becoming the first Cambodian citizen to graduate from the institution.
From being born during a turbulent period to assuming a national leadership position, Hun Manet's upbringing has drawn widespread attention. By choosing to visit a special education school for his birthday this year, he added a touching moment of companionship with students to the occasion.
