Deadly Collision Claims 67 Lives in U.S. Air Disaster | At Least 30 Dead and Many Injured in Stampede at Maha Kumbh Mela in India | Pich Piseth Summoned by Department of Anti-Technology Crime | Future of USAID Uncertain as Trump Administration Considers Merging Agency with State Department | National Road 5 Final Section (Serei Sophon-Poipet) Achieves 29% Progress | Prime Minister Hun Manet: “No Plans to Change Ministers” Amidst Rumors | PM Hun Manet Charts Cambodia’s Digital Future, Calls for Stronger Innovation and Governance | Cambodia's Future Leaders Celebrated as Prime Minister Hun Manet Speaks at Asia-Europe University Graduation | Prime Minister Hun Sen awards diplomas to 2,551 Asia-Europe University graduates, including 1,169 women. The ceremony includes degrees in associate, bachelor, master, doctorate, and honorary doctorate levels. A total of 69 scholarship recipients from Samdech Techo and Samdech Kittipritbandit among the graduates. Asia-Europe University has contributed to national development by training skilled human resources for many years. Oknha Ly Khunthai highlights the university's growth since its recognition in 2002 and its establishment in 2005. As of December 2024, the university employed 485 staff and enrolled 8,881 students in various programs. Asia-Europe University offers diverse faculties and numerous degree programs, enhancing educational opportunities. The institution is committed to digital innovation and modern educational practices, including AI and cloud computing. Prime Minister Hun Manet emphasizes skill development, announcing over $20 million for modern medical equipment.Prime Minister Hun Manet urges the Ministry of Labor to support skilled workers in obtaining bachelor's degrees and enhancing youth skills. Prime Minister Hun Manet directs Ministry of Labor to expand job opportunities for professionals in Cambodia. The Prime Minister emphasizes the role of teachers as leaders and ethical guides for students. Amid discussions about septic tank installation, the Prime Minister instructs authorities to prioritize citizen requests. Hun Manet mandates road construction companies to install septic tanks upon completion of projects. The Prime Minister addresses criticism of the textbook “Khmer and the Journey to Prosperity,” defending its educational value. Hun Manet clarifies that the supplementary textbook presents factual historical content from Cambodia’s socialist era to the present. The Prime Minister emphasizes that the book aims to preserve Cambodia’s history for future generations. Hun Manet calls on citizens and students to research carefully before sharing information on social media. The Prime Minister warns against spreading false information that can harm society. |
Deadly Collision Claims 67 Lives in U.S. Air Disaster | At Least 30 Dead and Many Injured in Stampede at Maha Kumbh Mela in India | Pich Piseth Summoned by Department of Anti-Technology Crime | Future of USAID Uncertain as Trump Administration Considers Merging Agency with State Department | National Road 5 Final Section (Serei Sophon-Poipet) Achieves 29% Progress | Prime Minister Hun Manet: “No Plans to Change Ministers” Amidst Rumors | PM Hun Manet Charts Cambodia’s Digital Future, Calls for Stronger Innovation and Governance | Cambodia's Future Leaders Celebrated as Prime Minister Hun Manet Speaks at Asia-Europe University Graduation | Prime Minister Hun Sen awards diplomas to 2,551 Asia-Europe University graduates, including 1,169 women. The ceremony includes degrees in associate, bachelor, master, doctorate, and honorary doctorate levels. A total of 69 scholarship recipients from Samdech Techo and Samdech Kittipritbandit among the graduates. Asia-Europe University has contributed to national development by training skilled human resources for many years. Oknha Ly Khunthai highlights the university's growth since its recognition in 2002 and its establishment in 2005. As of December 2024, the university employed 485 staff and enrolled 8,881 students in various programs. Asia-Europe University offers diverse faculties and numerous degree programs, enhancing educational opportunities. The institution is committed to digital innovation and modern educational practices, including AI and cloud computing. Prime Minister Hun Manet emphasizes skill development, announcing over $20 million for modern medical equipment.Prime Minister Hun Manet urges the Ministry of Labor to support skilled workers in obtaining bachelor's degrees and enhancing youth skills. Prime Minister Hun Manet directs Ministry of Labor to expand job opportunities for professionals in Cambodia. The Prime Minister emphasizes the role of teachers as leaders and ethical guides for students. Amid discussions about septic tank installation, the Prime Minister instructs authorities to prioritize citizen requests. Hun Manet mandates road construction companies to install septic tanks upon completion of projects. The Prime Minister addresses criticism of the textbook “Khmer and the Journey to Prosperity,” defending its educational value. Hun Manet clarifies that the supplementary textbook presents factual historical content from Cambodia’s socialist era to the present. The Prime Minister emphasizes that the book aims to preserve Cambodia’s history for future generations. Hun Manet calls on citizens and students to research carefully before sharing information on social media. The Prime Minister warns against spreading false information that can harm society. |

Master San Kim Sean: ‘Free Boxing’ is a Name Given by France, but ‘Kun Khmer’ is Purely Cambodian

PHNOM PENH: Bokator Master, Krama Meas San Kim Sean, has stated that ‘free boxing’, now more widely called ‘Kun Khmer’, is a name that the French used during France’s colonization of Cambodia. Master San Kim Sean claims that Kun Khmer derives from ‘Kun Bokator’, a martial art that the ancestors of the Angkorian period practiced and left behind for future generations.

In an exclusive interview with EAC News, Master San Kim Sean, 78, explained that current Kun Khmer competitions are different from those of the previous generation. In the past, most Kun Khmer boxing matches ended with a fight to the death – you only won if you survived.

 “From 1920 to 1930, when the French colony ruled us, that was when they [would see boxers fight to the death and put them in] coffins,” he said. “But after a while, the French had a hard time [seeing the best boxers die], because that would mean in 10 to 20 years, all outstanding [fighters] would have died, tens of thousands of people would have died, and only a few would be left. So the French thought that they should not do this anymore, as death [does not] result in birth, so they stopped [holding competitions that only ended in death.]”

According to Master San Kim Sean, the French called it ‘free boxing’ because it was a type of boxing that allowed fighters the right to perform their moves freely and without restriction, while in the present day, the rules of the fight are limited to more than 20 martial art techniques.

He added that in the old days, fighters would wrap raw thread with seashells placed around their knuckles and then would proceed with a ceremony that involved grinding glass into powder, mixing it with a plant and dipping this mixture into resin while their martial art coach chanted to awaken the spiritual magic.

Kun Khmer matches were also previously played out in the field like Bokator, and it was only under French colonization that competitions began to be organized in boxing rings, which is something that has continued into the current day.

The Bokator Master further explained that before competitions, fighters always salute and honor their past Kun Khmer teachers and coaches who have passed away in a ceremony called Kun Kru. They regard their old teachers as gods of their sport, so when one teacher passes away, they continue to pray to them and pass on the practice from one generation to another. Hence, fighters even continue to pray and honor Kun Khmer teachers that they did not train under in real life, as these teachers still represent the soul of the martial art and are considered as a god of the sport. In this way, the names and souls of the Kun Khmer fighters and teachers that preceded them still remain in all fighters’ hearts.

So prior to any match, Kun Khmer boxers will kneel down, worship and pay their respects to their teachers. They can light incense, or if there is no incense, they must raise 10 fingers while praying. According to Master San Kim Sean, there are many methods of worship to commemorate the Kun Kru, such as Kenor, Rahu Chab Chan, and the rice harvester, which is accompanied by traditional Khmer music.

Many carvings depicting Kun Khmer fighting styles can be found in ancient temples such as Preah Khan, Ta Prohm, Banteay Samre, Lak Neang, Angkor Wat and Prey.



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