Kong Sam Ol

Kong Sam Ol (1 November 1929 – 2 September 2024) was a Cambodian politician who served as deputy prime minister and minister of the Royal Palace of Cambodia from 1998 to until his death in 2024. A member of the Cambodia People’s Party, he served in the National Assembly for Kampong Chhnang province from 1993 to 2024.

Early life: 1929-1979 Childhood and schooling: 1929-1956 Kong Sam Ol was born on 1 November 1929 at his family’s residence in Kangkor, Kandal province, French Protectorate of Cambodia. On his father’s side, he was a member of the court aristocracy as a descendant of Oknha Kralahom A. Kong who served as minister of the Navy and was a resistance leader under Prince Si Votha during the anti-French rebellion of 1885–1887. His father, Oknha Kong Hin, was a royal-service official of the Royal Transport Department. where he obtained a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in agricultural engineering in 1963. During this the 1980s, his influence grew as part of the policy core around food supply and reconstruction with him serving as the vice-president of the Committee for Reception of Humanitarian Aid.

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Cabinet: 1990-1993 In 1990, Kong was appointed as Permanent Deputy Prime Minister and Minister-in-charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers. 1993 general elections In the 1993 Cambodian general election, Kong was elected member of the National Assembly, representing Kampong Chhnang province. He retained the seat until his death in 2024. As a permanent committee member of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), equivalent to a Politburo-level official, Kong was an influential figure in the drafting of the Constitution of Cambodia in the Constituent Assembly of Cambodia, especially with respect to the creation of a constitutional monarchy, and its adoption on 21 September 1993. The Constitution was signed into law on 24 September 1993 by Sihanouk. In the wake of the election and the establishment of the constitutional monarchy, he was again appointed as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries from 1993 to 1994.

Minister of the Royal Palace: 1993-2024 In 1993, Kong was also appointed as Senior Minister and Minister of the Royal Palace before King Sihanouk was crowned as monarch. He was appointed to the post with aim to bring the palace under the control of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP). His body was placed at a funeral house at 83 Sok Hok Street (107), corner of St. Joseph Pros Tito (214), Sangkat Boeung Prolit, Khan 7 Makara, Phnom Penh, and the Ministry of the Royal Palace invited officials and the public to attend the funeral services.

On 3 September 2024, Prime Minister Hun Manet led a high-level delegation of the Royal Government to lay wreaths and pay tribute, while Senate President Hun Sen led a high-level delegation of the Senate to pay tribute the same day.

In his condolence message, Hun Manet said that Kong had

Hun Sen described Kong’s death as "a great loss of an exemplary leader" marked by "wisdom, will, scholarly ideals and extensive experience".

Personal life Kong married Neak Oknha Thammamongkol Mony Thai Va. They remained married until his death.

The couple had children, notably, Mr. Kong Dara who serves as the Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of the Royal Palace, Kong Sanya who serves as Director-General of Calmette Hospital and Lok Neak Oknha Kong Panya who serves as the Senior Minister in charge of General Affairs attached to the Ministry of the Royal Palace.