Siem Reap (FN), Feb. 25 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed his regret over a foreign video depicting children fleeing from gunfire, highlighting the profound value of peace once it is lost.

The premier spoke on Tuesday (Feb. 25) at the graduation ceremony of students of the University of South-East Asia in Siem Reap province.

"People only truly appreciate peace when it is gone. Those who have lived through war understand this. Yesterday, I came across a photo on Facebook, taken by a Burmese man, showing a crater where children—some crying, some running, some praying—aged between four and ten, were trapped as a helicopter prepared to drop bombs on a village occupied by anti-government forces," the premier underscored.

Samdech Thipadei shared a story from his visit to Angkor Wat, where he met a woman who had once lived near a pagoda in the Angkor area. She recalled that, as a child during the war, she would frequently run and hide in Angkor Wat—unlike today, when complete peace allows tourists to visit safely.

On the occasion, the premier also reflected on Siem Reap’s transformation, recalling that in the 1990s, the first person to invest in a hotel in the province was Sieng Nam. At the time, some people mocked the idea, believing that conflict in the area had not yet ended. He noted that those investing in Siem Reap today can do so because of the peace that now prevails, making it a prime destination for both national and international tourists.
=FRESH NEWS