KRATIE: Kratie Province residents and tourists can now visit a commemorative statue to former Prime Minister Hun Sen and his beloved teacher, the Venerable Kim Chreng.

An inauguration for the statue was held on January 8, presided over by Minister of Public Works and son of the former PM, Hun Many.

The statue, located in Kratie’s Bos Leav Commune, depicts Samdech Hun Sen as a child, holding the hand of his teacher and carrying a briefcase of school supplies. The monument commemorates the monks, teachers, and mentors that lead former Prime Minister Hun Sen to the powerful position he ultimately achieved.

The Venerable Kim Chreng, who was a teacher and a monk, is credited for educating Samdech Hun Sen to be an intellectual and a Cambodian hero that would lead the nation to development and prosperity.

According to the Kratie Provincial Administration, the statues are made of copper, with the Venerable Kim Chreng standing at 2.7 meters and a young Hun Sen at 1.68 meters. The statue is encased by a monument that reaches 24.3 meters high.

Kratie Governor Va Thorn said that the monument will become a tourist attraction for those living in and travelling through the area. It is decorated with colorful lights, landscaped and planted with shade trees to provide a natural and attractive spot for visitors.