Sam Rainsy

Sam Rainsy - Politician, Family and Life

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Sam Rainsy's Personal Details

Sam Rainsy is one of the most influential politicians of Cambodia, known for his efforts aimed at establishing complete democracy in his country

InformationDetail
BirthdayMarch 10, 1949
NationalityCambodian
FamousDemocrats, Leaders, Political Leaders, Cambodian Men, Politician
IdeologiesDemocrats
SpousesTioulong Saumura
ChildrensPatrice Muriel Rachel
Universities
  • University of Paris
  • INSEAD
Founder / Co-Founder
  • Sam Rainsy Party
Birth PlacePhnom Penh
Political IdeologyPolitical party Cambodia National Rescue Party (2012–present),Minority Leader of the National Assembly-November 29, 2014,President of the Cambodia National Rescue Party-July 17, 2012,President of the Sam Rainsy Party 1995 – July 17, 2012,Member of Parliamentfor Kampong ChamIncumbentAssumed office November 30, 1998,Member of Parliamentfor Siem ReapIn office July 2, 1993 – June 1995,Minister of Economy and FinanceIn office September 24, 1993 – October 24, 1994
GenderMale
FatherSam Sary
MotherIn Em
Sun SignPisces
Born inPhnom Penh
Famous asPolitician

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Sam Rainsy's photo

Who is Sam Rainsy?

Sam Rainsy is one of the most internationally respected politician and pro-democracy activist in Cambodia today. Born into a powerful family in the capital of his homeland, Rainsy grew up with the future king and several political leaders. After his country was invaded and the government disrupted, a divisive fallout ensued which led to Rainsy and his family fleeing to Europe. A hard working student he was educated from a series of prestigious schools. He used his education to enter the world of finance and economics, where he rapidly prospered. Back in his homeland, the political situation stabilized, and he was able to return home to participate in the government. After the winds of revolution blew once more, he returned to exile in Europe. Following numerous convictions and accusations followed by royal pardons, he was able to return to his homeland to form the backbone of a democratic opposition to the misrule of the leading party. After high level intervention by international leaders, he was permitted to advocate for democracy and financial transparency, although not without much resistance from ruling factions. Although elderly, Rainsy continues to be a stalwart defender of freedom in his homeland today and hopes to change his country into a fully functional democratic nation under his political leadership

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Childhood & Early Life

Sam Rainsy was born on March 19, 1949 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. His father was named Sam Sary, who had served as Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia in the 1950s. His mother was named In Em.

In 1965, his family moved to France after his mother was arrested and his father disappeared after government charges that he had been involved in an attempted coup d’état. He attended primary school in Paris, France before attending the prestigious ‘Lycee Janson de Sailly high school.

He graduated from ‘L'Institut d'etudes politiques’ in Paris, France with a degree in Political Science in 1971. He received a degree in Economics two years later, from the ‘Faculte de droit et des sciences economiques’ in Paris, France.

He received a degree in Accounting from the ‘French Ministry of Education’ in 1979. The following year, he was awarded a ‘Master of Business Administration’ from INSEAD in Fountainebleau, France.

Career

In 1989, he was elected by Prince Norodom Ranariddh to be his European representative. In France, he worked briefly as an investment banker before opening his own accounting firm.

In 1992, Rainsy joined the ‘Funcincpec Party’ in Cambodia. A year later, he was elected to the Parliament in Cambodia, representing Siem Reap Province, and served two years.

While in office, he served as the Minister of Economy and Finance of Cambodia from September 24, 1993 to October 24, 1994.

In 1994, he was expelled from the ‘Funcincpec Party’ after a vote of no confidence. Then he founded the ‘Khmer Nation Party’, a year later.

In 1997, he was injured during a grenade attack at a political rally. Close to sixteen people died and more than a thousand were injured in the attack.

In 1998, he was elected as a ‘Member of Parliament for Kampong Chan Province’, a position that he continues to hold today. The same year, he changed the name of the ‘Khmer Nation Party’ to the ‘Sam Rainsy Party’.

In 2005, he left Cambodia and was tried in absentia on a number of defamation charges and was sentenced to 18 months in prison.

He was pardoned by King Norodom Sihamoni and on February 10, 2006 Rainsy returned to Cambodia.

In 2008, Rainsy published his autobiography 'Des racines dans la pierre: Mon combat pour la renaissance du Cambodge'.

On October 25, 2009, he was charged with racial incitement and destruction of property for leading a protest at the border of Cambodia and Vietnam.

On January 1, 2010 he left Cambodia for France and an arrest warrant was issued for him. Two years later, he stepped down from the ‘Sam Rainsy Party’ to become the president of the ‘Cambodia National Rescue Party’.

In 2013, Rainsy co-authored his English-language autobiography 'We Didn't Start the Fire: My Struggle for Democracy in Cambodia'. The same year he toured the United States to raise funds towards supporting his political career in Cambodia.

In July 2013, King Norodom Sihamoni pardoned Rainsy, and he returned to Cambodia a week later.

In 2014, after a lengthy negotiation with several political parties in Cambodia, he was accepted as a member of parliament although he had not participated in the 2013 election. He was given the title ‘Minority Leader’ of the parliament, a position he currently holds.

Rainsy continues to be the most powerful opposition politician in Cambodia today.

Major Works

Sam Rainsy is an internationally respected spokesperson for democracy, capitalism and fairness in government while his homeland of Cambodia struggles with coups, revolutions, invasions and regicide.

Personal Life & Legacy

Sam Rainsy married his wife Tioulong Saumura in 1971 and they have three children, Patrice Sam, Muriel Sam and Rachel Sam.

Trivia

This famous political activist is a practicing Buddhism and claims that both he and his wife are of Chinese ancestry. According to him he has survived many assassination attempts, including when he was living in exile in France.

He speaks three languages fluently - Cambodian, French and English. He has famously stated that his native Cambodia is a 'mafia state'

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Sam Rainsy biography timelines

  • // 19th Mar 1949
    Sam Rainsy was born on March 19, 1949 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. His father was named Sam Sary, who had served as Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia in the 1950s. His mother was named In Em.
  • // 1965
    In 1965, his family moved to France after his mother was arrested and his father disappeared after government charges that he had been involved in an attempted coup d’état. He attended primary school in Paris, France before attending the prestigious ‘Lycee Janson de Sailly high school.
  • // 1971
    He graduated from ‘L'Institut d'etudes politiques’ in Paris, France with a degree in Political Science in 1971. He received a degree in Economics two years later, from the ‘Faculte de droit et des sciences economiques’ in Paris, France.
  • // 1971
    Sam Rainsy married his wife Tioulong Saumura in 1971 and they have three children, Patrice Sam, Muriel Sam and Rachel Sam.
  • // 1979
    He received a degree in Accounting from the ‘French Ministry of Education’ in 1979. The following year, he was awarded a ‘Master of Business Administration’ from INSEAD in Fountainebleau, France.
  • // 1989
    In 1989, he was elected by Prince Norodom Ranariddh to be his European representative. In France, he worked briefly as an investment banker before opening his own accounting firm.
  • // 1992
    In 1992, Rainsy joined the ‘Funcincpec Party’ in Cambodia. A year later, he was elected to the Parliament in Cambodia, representing Siem Reap Province, and served two years.
  • // 24th Sep 1993 To 24th Oct 1994
    While in office, he served as the Minister of Economy and Finance of Cambodia from September 24, 1993 to October 24, 1994.
  • // 1994
    In 1994, he was expelled from the ‘Funcincpec Party’ after a vote of no confidence. Then he founded the ‘Khmer Nation Party’, a year later.
  • // 1997
    In 1997, he was injured during a grenade attack at a political rally. Close to sixteen people died and more than a thousand were injured in the attack.
  • // 1998
    In 1998, he was elected as a ‘Member of Parliament for Kampong Chan Province’, a position that he continues to hold today. The same year, he changed the name of the ‘Khmer Nation Party’ to the ‘Sam Rainsy Party’.
  • // 2005
    In 2005, he left Cambodia and was tried in absentia on a number of defamation charges and was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
  • // 10th Feb 2006
    He was pardoned by King Norodom Sihamoni and on February 10, 2006 Rainsy returned to Cambodia.
  • // 2008
    In 2008, Rainsy published his autobiography 'Des racines dans la pierre: Mon combat pour la renaissance du Cambodge'.
  • // 25th Oct 2009
    On October 25, 2009, he was charged with racial incitement and destruction of property for leading a protest at the border of Cambodia and Vietnam.
  • // 1st Jan 2010
    On January 1, 2010 he left Cambodia for France and an arrest warrant was issued for him. Two years later, he stepped down from the ‘Sam Rainsy Party’ to become the president of the ‘Cambodia National Rescue Party’.
  • // 2013
    In 2013, Rainsy co-authored his English-language autobiography 'We Didn't Start the Fire: My Struggle for Democracy in Cambodia'. The same year he toured the United States to raise funds towards supporting his political career in Cambodia.
  • // 2013 To 2014
    In 2014, after a lengthy negotiation with several political parties in Cambodia, he was accepted as a member of parliament although he had not participated in the 2013 election. He was given the title ‘Minority Leader’ of the parliament, a position he currently holds.
  • // Jul 2013
    In July 2013, King Norodom Sihamoni pardoned Rainsy, and he returned to Cambodia a week later.

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Sam Rainsy's FAQ

  • What is Sam Rainsy birthday?

    Sam Rainsy was born at 1949-03-10

  • Where is Sam Rainsy's birth place?

    Sam Rainsy was born in Phnom Penh

  • What is Sam Rainsy nationalities?

    Sam Rainsy's nationalities is Cambodian

  • What is Sam Rainsy ideologies?

    Sam Rainsy's ideologies is Democrats

  • Who is Sam Rainsy spouses?

    Sam Rainsy's spouses is Tioulong Saumura

  • Who is Sam Rainsy childrens?

    Sam Rainsy's childrens is Patrice Muriel Rachel

  • What was Sam Rainsy universities?

    Sam Rainsy studied at University of Paris, INSEAD

  • Which company or organization was founded by Sam Rainsy?

    Sam Rainsy was the founder/co-founder of Sam Rainsy Party

  • What is Sam Rainsy's political ideology?

    Sam Rainsy's political ideology is Political party Cambodia National Rescue Party (2012–present),Minority Leader of the National Assembly-November 29, 2014,President of the Cambodia National Rescue Party-July 17, 2012,President of the Sam Rainsy Party 1995 – July 17, 2012,Member of Parliamentfor Kampong ChamIncumbentAssumed office November 30, 1998,Member of Parliamentfor Siem ReapIn office July 2, 1993 – June 1995,Minister of Economy and FinanceIn office September 24, 1993 – October 24, 1994

  • Who is Sam Rainsy's father?

    Sam Rainsy's father is Sam Sary

  • Who is Sam Rainsy's mother?

    Sam Rainsy's mother is In Em

  • What is Sam Rainsy's sun sign?

    Sam Rainsy is Pisces

  • How famous is Sam Rainsy?

    Sam Rainsy is famouse as Politician