Officially presenting Académichien (French for Academician?) Hun Xen

The newly nominated acedemichien receives flower from Cambodia's Dr. Chumteav Thom Bun Rany Hun Xen (All photos: Cambodia Express News)

As reported by Cambodge Soir Hebdo on 21 April 2010, PM Hun Xen is now an official member of the Royal Cambodian Academy, which coincidentally, was set up through an order issued by Hun Xen also. Henceforth, the prime minister can also be addressed as Acedemician Hun Xen or in French as "Académichien" Hun Xen. Congratulations to our new Académichien!

Unconditional nomination of Hun Xen and Xok An to the Royal Cambodian Academy ... which was created by Hun Xen

Hun Xen (R) and Xok An (L) are the two new members of the Royal Cambodian Academy which, coincidentally, was set up by Hun Xen himself. Hun Xen's talent is displayed by his poem writing whereas Xok An is a well known expert in cock-fighting.

Poem written by Academician Hun Xen sent to his lover, Ms. Piseth Pilika, who was later gunned down. Heng Pov revealed that the person who commissioned the killing of Piseth Pilika was no other than Mrs. Bun Rany Hun Xen, the famous wife of Academician Hun Xen (Poem posted at: pisethpilika.free.fr)

21 April 2010
By Nhim Sophal
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Sen Os Somneuch
Click here to read the article in French

Hun Xen and vice-PM Xok An have just been nominated as members of the Royal Cambodian Academy

The royal decree to the effect was also issued, but the ceremony will only take place next week. It is now official: the two leaders are now full members of the famous academy. 16 individuals, including 4 Cambodians living overseas, are part of this prestigious institution.

Created in 199 by a sub-decree issued by Hun Xen who is also its honorary president, the Royal Academy is still administered by the Council of Ministers. At the beginning, there was no preset condition to become a member. Graduated individuals who provide academic documents and work are often accepted as its members. Under this stipulation, Hun Xen – who penned several poems and research works in politics, as well as giving out important speeches – and Xok An were both admitted to the prestigious institution.

However, in the future, candidates must fulfill new conditions in order to become provisory members. They must earn a Ph.D. degree after spending 5 years of academic work and they must be elected the full members. The maximum number of members is limited to 60 and only 2 persons can be selected for each year.

“To be elected, one must undertake scientific research without plagiarizing others. We must have new [rules], but for now, it is not easy to follow all the rules,” Ros Chantraboth, an advisor and full member of the academy, admitted.

For the past 10 years, this institution has been criticized for not undertaking any valid research. From now on, it hopes to play the role of a memory bank for the government and the society.

A great Khmer historian will publish a book on the history of Preah Vihear temple

The spectacular aerial view of Preah Vihear temple with the bird's eye view of Cambodia to the left.

Kampuchea Thmey newspaper
25th December, 2008
Translated from Khmer by Khmerization

A commentary book about the history of Preah Vihear from the time of its construction to the present time, including the Thai invasion, will be published soon. The book was written by an academic working at the Royal Cambodian Academy.

Dr. Ros Chantrabot, the author of the book and vice-rector of the Royal Cambodian Academy, told Kampuchea Thmey that he plans to publish a book titled “Prasat Preah Vihear” (Preah Vihear Temple), which is a book on the history of Preah Vihear from the time of its construction until the present time.

He said that the book will be divided into three chapters. The first chapter will be about the history, the builder-kings, the stone inscriptions and the architectures. Chapter two will be about the court case in the International Court of Justice (1962) in The Hague which Cambodia won. The third chapter will be about the inscription of Preah Vihear temple in the world heritage list, including detailing about the Thai opposition of the inscription. It also details about the Thai invasion, starting on the 15th of July, 2008 onward.

Dr. Chatrabot said that the delay in the publication of the book is because he wants to wait to see if the present disputes with Thailand will change cause.

Dr. Chantrabot said that the book will be put to the government (Council of Ministers) for checking before publication. He said that this is because up until now there is no French historian has published any books on the history on Preah Vihear temple, only books about tourism guide that have been published.

Dr. Chatrabot said that the book has been personally researched and written by himself. The book will be 300 pages thick and 5000 copies will published in the first edition.

Mr. Phay Siphan, spokesman for the Council of Ministers, cannot be contacted for comments, but Dr. Chantrabot said that the publication of the book does not need government’s permission because it is the works of his personal research.