(AP photo)PHNOM PENH: The eldest son of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has joined the inner circle of his father's ruling Cambodian People's Party, bolstering speculation he is being groomed to succeed to the premiership. Hun Sen has held power for more than three decades and has often mentioned West Point-educated Hun Manet as his potential successor. Younger son Hun Manit also holds important military posts, while youngest son Hun Many -- also considered a possible successor to his 66-year-old father -- is a National Assembly member. Hun Sen's party overwhelmingly won national elections in July, an outcome that was assured when courts last year dissolved the only viable opposition party. Hun Sen first became prime minister in 1985 in the aftermath of the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime that was responsible for the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million Cambodians.

Source: Bangkok Post December 20, 2018 12:22 UTC