Kep (FN), Dec. 3 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet recalled an experience when British authorities expressed surprise upon inspecting his passport, discovering that he was the first Cambodian to study in the United Kingdom (UK).

The premier spoke at the closing ceremony of the 10th Sea Festival, held on Sunday (Dec. 3) in Kep province.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet recalled, "my personal experience involves studying abroad. In 2002, during my first visit to England, upon arriving at the airport, I encountered a peculiar situation. The immigration officer detained my passport for about 15 minutes. I was wondered. The immigration officer simply explained that he had never seen a Cambodian passport before, noting that I was the first individual holding a Cambodian passport to study in England."

On that occasion, Samdech Thipadei also recalled that once the British police learned he was Cambodian, they immediately inquired about the status of Cambodia's war and the British police expressed interest in visiting Cambodia.

The premier added that during his two years of studying in the UK, he witnessed significant changes in Cambodia from 1998 to 2002, marking the end of the civil war. In 2004, when Samdech interacted with other British immigration officers, the officers told him that his family had visited Cambodia and that the kingdom was indeed safe, emphasizing his intention to visit Cambodia in the future.

Samdech Thipadei underscored the significance of enhancing the nation's reputation as it generates both interest and trust, especially given Cambodia's historical context of war and instability. He acknowledged that much of Cambodia's historical narrative is often linked to conflicts in Vietnam and the Khmer Rouge regime. He expressed the challenge of conveying to foreigners that Cambodia had entered a period of complete peace, a fact that often went unnoticed during that time.

Samdech Thipadei observed that Cambodia's current recognition among foreigners is largely shaped by iconic symbols including Angkor Wat. He noted that the promotion facilitated by tourists who visit Cambodia and share their positive experiences plays a crucial role. He also emphasized the importance of positive testimonials from foreign tourists, viewing them as essential propaganda for Cambodia and a key driver for the tourism sector.
=FRESH NEWS