Hun manet Named Khmer Times’ Man of the Year for Second Consecutive Year

Synopsis: Praised by King norodom Sihamoni, the Queen Mother, and senior leaders for defending sovereignty while preserving peace, Mr Hun Manet’s leadership showcases military experience, economic training, and political discipline.

Prime Minister Hun Manet has been named Man of the Year by Khmer Times, Cambodia’s leading and award-winning newspaper, for the second consecutive year. He received this recognition for demonstrating exceptional leadership during a challenging year, including resolving the border dispute with Thailand, advancing civil service reforms, and pledging to tackle another pressing issue-the rise of online scams that have tarnished Cambodia’s international reputation.

Two years and four months into his premiership, Mr Hun Manet has emerged as a central figure guiding Cambodia through one of the most demanding periods in its recent history. From renewed military tensions with Thailand to sweeping domestic reforms and proactive global diplomacy, he has navigated a convergence of crises that have tested his resilience, discipline, and political acumen.

The resurgence of border clashes with Thailand in December triggered a severe humanitarian and economic shock. Thailand’s unilateral border closures brought cross-border trade to a standstill,creating an urgent need for domestic employment solutions-one of the steepest challenges confronting Mr Hun Manet’s management.

Despite these pressures, the Prime Minister has consistently exercised restraint and patience, even as Cambodia faced two major border flare-ups resulting from Thai aggression in July and December. His diplomatic response has included high-level engagement with world leaders such as Chinese President Xi Jinping,French President Emmanuel Macron,US President Donald Trump,and ASEAN Chair Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

In May, while addressing more than 30,000 workers in Sihanoukville, Mr Hun Manet described the people’s support as his source of strength-“more powerful than a thousand energy drinks.”

When adverse weather grounded helicopter travel, he drove overnight to keep his commitment, underscoring his belief that leadership must endure, rain or shine. His direct engagement with citizens has translated into strong popular support.

That on-the-ground leadership style has produced tangible results across multiple provinces.During surprise inspections, Mr Hun Manet cancelled projects that threatened community livelihoods or damaged natural tourism sites, ordered new infrastructure works, and addressed issues ranging from counterfeit currency circulation to local governance failures. He has repeatedly emphasised that firsthand engagement with citizens frequently enough provides clearer insights than lengthy reports or studies.

at the institutional level, his government has pursued comprehensive public administration and health sector reforms. Public administration reform rests on three pillars: civil servant recruitment, institutional function analysis, and incentive and accountability systems. Stressing the stakes involved, Mr Hun Manet warned, “If we reform, we survive; if we don’t, we perish.”

In February,he announced $18 million in upgrades to ICU capacity at Level 2 district referral hospitals as part of a broader effort to expand emergency healthcare nationwide. Additional investments have focused on increasing medical staffing and improving access to treatment for chronic diseases.

Another urgent challenge has been the spread of online scams,which have tarnished Cambodia’s international reputation. To address this, Mr Hun Manet established the Commission for Combatting Online Scams in February, chairing it himself. He pledged to eradicate Cambodia’s image as a cybercrime hub through a coordinated, multi-agency crackdown.

In July, he issued a stern directive ordering the shutdown of all online scam centers nationwide, warning that officials who obstructed enforcement would be removed.

He noted that foreign criminal groups had exploited Cambodia as a base for illegal online operations and stressed that provincial authorities, Phnom penh leadership, and the police must take full duty for dismantling scam centres in accordance with the law. He also instructed authorities to prevent illegal entry and deport foreigners involved in criminal activities.

Throughout the year, Mr Hun Manet navigated political and diplomatic ups and downs, particularly in managing the sensitive border issue with Thailand.

Even while abroad, he continued…

Cambodia and Thailand Submit Border Dispute to ICJ

In June, the Cambodian government submitted a case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning three disputed ancient temples-Ta Moan touch, Ta Moan Thom, and Ta Krabei-in Oddar Meanchey province, as well as the Mom Bei area in Preah Vihear province. These sites lie along the disputed border between Cambodia and Thailand, were previous bilateral negotiations had stalled.

The temples were once part of a larger complex along the ancient khmer Highway, a vital route connecting Angkor, the capital of the Khmer Empire, to its administrative centre in Phimai (now in Thailand).

Officials state that despite 100 years of attempts, resolving the dispute over these four areas requires the ICJ’s final ruling, which both parties must accept.

The case followed a fatal clash on May 28 in the Mom Bei area of Preah Vihear province, resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier.

The ICJ submission on June 15 coincided with the anniversary of the Court’s 1962 ruling awarding the Preah Vihear Temple and its surrounding territory to Cambodia.

Cambodia shares over 800 kilometres of land border with Thailand, extending from Preah Vihear province in the north to Koh kong province in the southwest.

despite diplomatic progress, Thailand remains Cambodia’s most challenging diplomatic partner.As of this report, Bangkok has not yet released 18 Cambodian soldiers.