the cambodian state [national] buddhist funeral service for samdech chau sen cocsal chhum

The Cambodian State [National] Buddhist Funeral Service for Samdech Chau Sen Cocsal Chhum, in front of Wat Padma Vatei [Wat Botumvatei], near the old National Assembly Building, Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia, Monday morning January 26, B.E.2552, C.E.2009 Year of the Rat.

Lady Vann Thi Hai, the living widow of the former prime minister Chau Sen Cocsal, assisted by her children meditatively proceed to the cremation field.

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Royal Palace Kong Sam Ol, the High Representative of His Majsesty The King Norodom Sihamoni auspiciously lits the flame to commence cremating Samdech Chau Sen Cocsal Chhum.

Second row: 2nd from left Member of Cambodian Parliament Yon Tharo; former Senator Thach Setha, dignitaries, distinguished domestic and international guests, immediate family of the late prime minister and compatriots stand upright for the Cambodian National Anthem and moments of silence in respect to Samdech Chau Sen Cocsal Chhum.

Front right: Lady Vann Thi Hai, her children, relatives and compatriots stand for the Cambodian National Anthem and final respect toward the late prime minister Samdech Chau Sen Cocsal Chhum.

The High Representative of the Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, national and international dignitaries, and compatriots stand for the Cambodian National Anthem and moments of silence in final respect for Samdech Chau Sen Cocsal Chhum.

Former Cambodian Prime Minister Chau Sen Cocsal Chhum dies at 104

January 22, 2009

The Lady Mrs. Chau Sen Cocsal and her family wish to inform friends and relatives that Samdech Chau Sen Cocsal Chhum, High Privy Councilor of His Majesty The King, former Member of the Constitutional Council, and former President of the National Assembly, decorated Commander of the French Legion d'Honneur, has passed away on Thursday January 22, 2009 at 6:45 AM, at his house located at No. 18A Street 604, Boeung Kok 2 commune, Tuol Kork district, Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia.

Samdech Chau Sen Cocsal Chhum was born in Svaytong district, Mort Chrouk province, Kampuchea Krom on September 1, C.E.1905 [Then Cambodia is a French Protectorate, and Kampuchea Krom is called Cochin China under French control].

Samdech Chau Sen Cocsal Chhum is a former prime minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia in the post-Preah Vihear dispute with Thailand in 1962.

The Cambodian nation lost one of great long-time clean sons, public servants.

Religious ceremonies will be held on Friday January 23 to Sunday January 25, 2009.

The funeral procession will leave the house on Monday January 26, 2009 at 7h30.

For further information, please contact this telephone number 012 97 91 92 or 011 20 22 22.

Royals, diplomats say goodbye to late ex-PM

Written by Khouth Sophakchakrya, The Phnom Penh Post
Monday, 26 January 2009

Samdech Chau Sen Cocsal is given a state Buddhist funeral service for his life-time service for the Cambodian nation. The Cambodian Royal Armed Forces personnel carry the portrait of the late prime minster. Photo courtesy Tracy Shelton

THE royal family and other dignitaries will attend a ceremony today to commemorate the death of former prime minister and former president of the National Assembly Chau Sen Cosal Chhum, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 104.

Kim Vann, 65, a son of the late former leader, arrived in Cambodia from Paris for the ceremony, which is scheduled to begin early in the morning.

"We will cremate [the body of Chau Sen Cosal Chhum] in front of Wat Botum on Monday," he told the Post.
Prince Mohessara Norodom Chakrapong told the Post Sunday that he and all the royal families would express their condolences at the ceremony, adding that the former leader contributed many achievements for the development of Cambodia, including developing Cambodia's constitutional law and other key legislation.

"Our nation has lost one of our great long-time clean sons and public servants," Prince Norodom Chakrapong told the Post Sunday.

"He is a former president of the National Assembly and former prime minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia in the earlier Preah Vihear dispute with Thailand in 1962."

French honour late leader

The French embassy on Friday also expressed its condolences and honoured Chau Sen Cosal Chhum, making him, posthumously, a commander of the French Legion d'Honneur.

Nominated as supreme advisor to the king in 1992, Chau Sen Cosal Chhum also led the Constitutional Council between 1998 and 2007.

More than 1,000 members of the royal family and other dignitaries from the National Assembly, Senate and Constitutional Council attended Monday the cremation of Chau Sen Cocsal Chhum. Mourners paid heartfelt tributes to the 104-year-old former prime minister. After a religious ceremony including 150 monks, Kong Sam Ol, deputy prime minister and minister of the royal palace, lit the funeral pyre at 9am.

A final goodbye to Cambodia's last great civil servant

Written by Dr Thanakvaro T De Lopez
Wednesday, 28 January 2009

Dear Editor,

Chau Sen Cocsal "Chhum", the last of Cambodia's great civil servants under the Sangkum Reastr Niyum, passed away at 6:45 am Thursday in Phnom Penh at the venerable age of 104.

My grandfather's career started in 1926 under the French Protectorate with a posting as a second-class administrator at what is now the Hotel Renakse.

Although he steadily rose through the ranks, it was not until after World War II that he successively became mayor of Phnom Penh, then governor of Kampong Cham and Kandal.

These were the first significant postings of a career that included nominations as president of the National Assembly, prime minister, president of the Supreme National Council, dean of the Constitutional Council and privy adviser to His Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk.

End of a generation
He belonged to a generation where merits were based on proven and demonstrated skills, a generation of doers who were well trained in field management and policymaking, a generation of servants of the Kingdom who believed in honour, integrity, duty and values that some in modern-day Cambodia may find old-fashioned.

His generation fought hard for independence, then renaissance under the Sangkum. They were courageous men and women, and they dared to go beyond the confines of conservatism, prejudice and fear.

Grandpa was the first Cambodian bachelier and spoke perfect, if quaintly archaic French. He had a curious mind, a sharp sense of humour and was an avid reader. His medals, titles and colourful anecdotes were plentiful. He had travelled the world, joked with President John F Kennedy and General Charles de Gaulle as well as many others whose ideals and human qualities he admired. But above all, he cared for people.

A few years ago he told me that I would have to convey his apologies to the people of Phnom Penh, for the traffic congestion that his funeral cortege would undoubtedly cause. Such was Chau Sen Cocsal "Chhum", a man considerate of the rights of others, small or tall. He always had kind words for the anonymous faces tirelessly serving the high and mighty. For Samdech Chhum thought of himself as a mere servant. To have served dutifully and unfailingly was his greatest pride.

Over the past week, many old folks came to pay him their last respects, itinerant monks who had heard of his passing, compatriots from Kampuchea Krom, those old hands and rheumy eyes who still remember an age forgotten by this generation of Cambodians. Grandpa passed away lightheartedly and peacefully, surrounded by Grandma and the rest of the family.

Dr Thanakvaro T De Lopez
Cambodian Research Centre for Development (CRCD)
Phnom Penh

Courtesy The Phnom Penh Post