Ley’s Fifth Son Born in Thailand

Ley’s Fifth Son Born in Thailand

The fifth son of Kem Ley was born abroad at 5pm on Sunday, days after Phnom Penh City Hall refused the request of an opposition member to place a statue of the late political commentator in Freedom Park.

Sao Kosal, a spokesman for Mr. Ley’s 100-day funeral ceremony organizing committee, said Mr. Ley’s wife Bou Rachana gave birth to the couple’s fifth son at a hospital in Thailand, where she and her other four sons are staying temporarily while seeking asylum in a third country.

The fifth son was named Kem Leyvireak, who was born weighing 2.7 kilograms.

“She cannot participate in the 100-day funeral ceremony since she had just given birth,” Mr. Kosal said.

He said the committee plans to organize Mr. Ley’s 100-day funeral ceremony at Wat Chas pagoda in Phnom Penh’s Chroy Changvar district from October 14-16 and will parade his statue in the slain political analyst’s home province of Takeo on October 16.

“Previously the Wat Chas pagoda chief refused, but later agreed after the Wat Thann pagoda chief agreed. So we had two pagodas to choose from, but the committee decided on Wat Chas because Wat Thann is in the city and may cause traffic jams,” he said.

Mr. Ley was shot dead in a coffee shop at a Caltex petrol station in the capital on July 10. Authorities have still yet to release security camera footage from the petrol station and aside from the arrest of alleged killer Eurth Ang, little development has been made in the case.

After Mr. Ley’s death and funeral procession on July 24, his wife and four sons fled to Thailand on August 28 out of fear for their safety while  waiting for asylum to a third country.

Meanwhile on Thursday, Phnom Penh Governor Pa Socheatvong sent a letter denying the request of CNRP member Ou Chanroth to put a statue of Mr. Ley in Freedom Park.

“Phnom Penh City Hall administration cannot allow this because Freedom Park was established for the purpose for citizens to express their opinions only. So, the request to make a statue of any individual and put it in public can take place only if there are appropriate and comprehensive criteria,” the letter read.

He added that there were many citizens, officials and veterans who had sacrificed their lives for the nation and authorities would build a monument to commemorate them, but not build individual statues.

CNRP official Ou Chanroth yesterday expressed disappointment with the governor’s decision, saying there was no intention for political gain and that the request had only been made on behalf of an individual politician and people who adored Mr. Ley.

However, Mr. Chanroth said he would take the statue from his party and give it to Mr. Ley’s 100-day funeral ceremony organizing committee on Friday.