Sisowath Monireth

In this Cambodian name, the surname is Sisowath. In accordance with Cambodian custom, this person should be referred to by the given name, Monireth.

Sisowath Monireth, Crown Prince of Cambodia
ស៊ីសុវត្ថិ មុនី្នរ៉េត
Monireth in 1953
Chairman of the Regency Council
Acting 6 April 1960 – 13 June 1960
Prime Minister	Norodom Sihanouk Pho Proeung
Preceded by	Chuop Hell (acting) as Chief of State
Succeeded by	Chuop Hell (acting) as Chief of State
Prime Minister of Cambodia
In office 17 October 1945 – 15 December 1946
Monarch	Norodom Sihanouk
Preceded by	Son Ngoc Thanh
Succeeded by	Sisowath Youtevong
Personal details
Born	(1909-11-25)25 November 1909 Phnom Penh, Cambodia, French Indochina
Died	September 1975 (aged 65) Kampuchea
Political party	Sangkum (1955–70)
Other political affiliations	Independent (1945–55; 1970–75)
Spouse	Pok Rosette Vani
Children	See list Sisowath Rethnara Sisowath Rakmoni Sisowath Monisowath Sisowath Pongmoni
Parents	Sisowath Monivong (father) Norodom Kanviman Norleak Tevi (mother)
Awards	Legion of Honour Croix de guerre
House	Sisowath
Military service
Allegiance	French Third Republic Free France
Branch/service	French Foreign Legion 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment
Years of service	1939–1945
Battles/wars	World War II

Sisowath Monireth (Khmer: ស៊ីសុវត្ថិ មុន្នីរ៉េត; 25 November 1909 – September 1975) was a Cambodian politician who served as the Prime Minister of Cambodia, during the French protectorate period, from 17 October 1945 to 15 December 1946. One of the most prominent members of the Sisowath line of the royal family at the time, he had earlier been passed over for the throne by the French authorities in favor of his nephew Norodom Sihanouk, whom they considered to be more pliable. The prince, however, remained heir to the throne under Sihanouk's reign.

From 1939 to 1945, he fought for France in World War II.

Early life

The original Cambodian Scout movement Ankar Khamarak Kayarith was created in 1934, under the direction of Prince Sisowath Monireth and other leaders, including Tem Im and Pok Thiem. This first era of Cambodian Scouting spread over several provinces and numbered more than 1,000 members.

Period in office

One of his first acts as Prime Minister was to create the first modern Cambodian army. Having won the consent of the French, who had just returned to power in Cambodia after the defeat of the Japanese in World War II, Monireth succeeded in forming out of former colonial NCOs the basis for an indigenous army whose mission, according to the Franco-Khmer Military Convention of 20 November 1946, was to uphold the sovereignty of the king, to preserve internal security, and to defend the frontiers of the country.

In later years, Monireth temporarily acted as head of state from 6 April to 13 June 1960 in his capacity as Chairman of the Regency Council.

In 1975, he was executed by the Khmer Rouge after the Fall of Phnom Penh.