Koh Kong, 17 July 2024: General Tea Banh, Supreme Council of the King, alongside Lok Chumteav Tao Toeun Tea Banh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense General Tea Seiha, and Koh Kong Governor Mithona Phuthong, participated in the 9th July 2024 Tree Planting Day by planting 500 Koki saplings at the political memorial in Koh Kong province.
General Tea Banh recounted the historical significance of July 17, a day when he narrowly escaped death during the Pol Pot regime. Under the stormy weather, General Tea Banh recalled how, 59 years ago, he was to be executed by armed guerrillas. He and his friends were bound, and while his friend was shot, a sudden rainstorm disrupted the execution, causing the gunmen to miss their target. Taking advantage of the chaos, General Tea Banh fled into the forest, escaping further attempts on his life.
General Tea Banh expressed his gratitude for the peace and political victory achieved under the leadership of former Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has worked tirelessly to bring peace and progress to Cambodia. He urged compatriots to work together to maintain this hard-won peace, emphasizing that the country has achieved unprecedented stability and prosperity through the win-win policy initiated by Hun Sen and continued by Prime Minister Hun Manet.
During the event, General Tea Banh also called on citizens to take care of the environment and plant trees, highlighting the importance of trees in providing energy for human life, animals, and in mitigating natural disasters.