1. Overview
Norodom Ranariddh (នរោត្ដម រណឫទ្ធិNorodom RanariddhCentral Khmer; January 2, 1944 - November 28, 2021) was a prominent Cambodian politician and law academic, serving as the first Prime Minister of Cambodia from 1993 to 1997, and later as the President of the National Assembly from 1998 to 2006. As the second son of King Norodom Sihanouk and a half-brother to the current King Norodom Sihamoni, Ranariddh played a pivotal role in Cambodia's post-conflict political landscape following the restoration of the monarchy.
Educated in France, Ranariddh began his career as a law researcher and lecturer before entering politics in 1983. He quickly rose through the ranks of FUNCINPEC, a royalist party, becoming its president. In the 1993 general election, FUNCINPEC unexpectedly emerged as the leading party, leading to a complex power-sharing arrangement with the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and the establishment of a unique co-prime minister system, with Ranariddh serving as First Prime Minister alongside Hun Sen. His premiership was marked by efforts to attract foreign investment and economic development, though it also faced criticism for controversial business dealings, particularly in the logging and casino industries, which raised concerns about environmental and social equity impacts.
Ranariddh's tenure was characterized by escalating political tensions and conflicts with Hun Sen and the CPP, culminating in a 1997 coup d'état that forced him into exile. Despite this setback, he returned to lead FUNCINPEC in the 1998 general election and later served as President of the National Assembly, often navigating a challenging political environment dominated by the CPP. His career included multiple departures from and re-entries into politics, marked by internal party strife, embezzlement charges, and attempts to unite royalist factions. Throughout his life, Ranariddh was considered a potential successor to the throne, a role he ultimately renounced in favor of political engagement, later contributing to the selection of Norodom Sihamoni as king. He passed away in France in 2021, following a car accident in 2018.
2. Early Life and Education
Norodom Ranariddh's early life was shaped by his royal lineage and a childhood marked by separation from his mother, leading him to pursue an academic path in law, predominantly in France, before his eventual entry into the tumultuous world of Cambodian politics.
2.1. Childhood and Education
Norodom Ranariddh was born on January 2, 1944, in Phnom Penh, which was then part of French Indochina under Japanese occupation. His parents were Norodom Sihanouk, who would later become King of Cambodia, and Phat Kanhol, a ballet dancer affiliated with the royal court. At the age of three, Ranariddh was separated from his mother following her remarriage. He was subsequently raised primarily by his aunt, Norodom Ketkanya, and grandaunt, Norodom Sobhana. During his formative years, he developed a close bond with his grandparents, King Norodom Suramarit and Queen Sisowath Kossamak, though he maintained a distant relationship with his father.
Ranariddh began his primary education at Norodom School and continued his high school studies at Lycée Descartes in Phnom Penh. In 1958, he was sent to a boarding school in Marseille, France, alongside his half-brother, Norodom Chakrapong. Initially, Ranariddh excelled in science subjects and intended to pursue medical studies. However, he was convinced by his grandaunt, Kossamak, to study law instead. After completing high school in 1961, he enrolled in the undergraduate law program at the University of Paris. He found it challenging to concentrate on his studies in Paris due to the social distractions of the city. In 1962, he transferred to the law school of the University of Provence (now part of Aix-Marseille University), where he completed his bachelor's degree in 1968 and a master's degree in public law in 1969.
2.2. Early Career and Academic Tenure
After passing his PhD qualifying examinations in 1969, Ranariddh returned to Cambodia in January 1970, briefly serving as a secretary at the Ministry of Interior. His employment was cut short when Lon Nol orchestrated a successful coup against King Sihanouk in March 1970. Ranariddh was dismissed from his position and sought refuge in the jungle, becoming an associate of resistance leaders. In 1971, he was arrested along with several members of the royal family and imprisoned for six months before being released. He was re-arrested the following year, enduring another three months of detention.
In 1973, Ranariddh returned to the University of Provence to complete his PhD, which he earned in 1975. From 1976 to 1979, he worked as a research fellow at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and was also awarded a diploma of higher studies in air transport. In 1979, Ranariddh rejoined the University of Provence as an associate professor, teaching courses in constitutional law and political sociology. He held dual Cambodian and French citizenship, having obtained French citizenship in 1979.
3. Entry into Politics
Norodom Ranariddh's entry into politics was initially marked by reluctance, but his eventual commitment propelled him to the forefront of Cambodia's political landscape, leading FUNCINPEC to victory in the 1993 general election and establishing the co-prime minister system.
3.1. Early FUNCINPEC Activities and Leadership Election
When his father, King Sihanouk, founded the royalist political party FUNCINPEC in 1981, Ranariddh initially declined the invitation to join, largely due to his disapproval of the party's association with the Khmer Rouge, whose regime had devastated Cambodia. However, in June 1983, Sihanouk convinced him to leave his academic career in France and embrace political life. Ranariddh was appointed as Sihanouk's personal representative and moved to Bangkok, Thailand, where he took charge of FUNCINPEC's diplomatic and political activities throughout Asia.
His role within the party quickly expanded. In March 1985, Ranariddh was appointed Inspector-General of the Armée nationale sihanoukiste (ANS), FUNCINPEC's armed wing. By January 1986, he had risen to become both the Commander-in-Chief and Chief-of-Staff of the ANS, effectively leading the party's military operations. In August 1989, Sihanouk stepped down as president of FUNCINPEC, and Ranariddh was elected as the party's Secretary-General. On September 10, 1990, he joined the Supreme National Council of Cambodia (SNC), an interim United Nations administrative body responsible for overseeing Cambodia's sovereign affairs. Ranariddh was one of the signatories of the 1991 Paris Peace Accords in October 1991, which formally ended the Cambodian-Vietnamese War. In February 1992, he was elected as the President of FUNCINPEC, consolidating his leadership within the party.
3.2. 1993 General Election and Coalition Government Formation
With the establishment of the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) in February 1992, a parallel administrative body to the SNC, Ranariddh was appointed as one of its council members. He divided his time between Bangkok and Phnom Penh, working to open FUNCINPEC party offices across Cambodia. During this period, FUNCINPEC began to openly criticize the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP). This criticism was met with severe retaliation, including violent attacks by police against low-level FUNCINPEC officials, highlighting the challenging and often dangerous political climate.
Concerns over these attacks led Ranariddh's close aides, Norodom Sirivudh and Sam Rainsy, to advise him against registering FUNCINPEC for the 1993 general elections. However, Yasushi Akashi, the chef-de-mission for UNTAC, strongly encouraged Ranariddh to participate. Persuaded by Akashi, Ranariddh registered the party, and the election campaign commenced in April 1993. During the campaign, Ranariddh and other FUNCINPEC officials wore T-shirts adorned with Sihanouk's image, a tactic designed to nominally comply with UNTAC's rule against using Sihanouk's name, as he was then the politically neutral head of the SNC.
The elections, held in May 1993, saw FUNCINPEC surprisingly secure approximately 45 percent of the valid votes, winning 58 out of 120 parliamentary seats. This outcome was unexpected, as many had anticipated a CPP victory. The CPP, refusing to acknowledge the results, alleged widespread electoral fraud. On June 3, 1993, CPP leaders Chea Sim and Hun Sen met with Sihanouk, attempting to persuade him to lead an interim government with the CPP and FUNCINPEC as joint coalition partners. Ranariddh, who had not been consulted, expressed surprise and displeasure at this unilateral decision. The plan was further complicated by opposition from the United States and China, which led Sihanouk to withdraw his decision the following day.
The political crisis escalated on June 10, 1993, when CPP leaders, including General Sin Song and Ranariddh's half-brother Chakrapong, threatened to secede eight eastern provinces from Cambodia. Fearing a full-blown civil war, especially given the CPP's significantly larger military force compared to the ANS, Ranariddh reluctantly agreed to work with the CPP. Both parties eventually consented to a dual prime minister arrangement for the new government. On June 14, Ranariddh presided over a parliamentary meeting that named Sihanouk as Head of State, with Hun Sen and Ranariddh serving as co-Prime Ministers in an interim government. A new constitution was drafted over the next three months and adopted in early September. On September 24, 1993, Sihanouk resigned as head of state and was reinstated as King of Cambodia. In the newly formed government, Ranariddh was appointed the First Prime Minister, and Hun Sen became the Second Prime Minister.
4. Co-premiership (1993-1997)
During his tenure as First Prime Minister, Norodom Ranariddh navigated a complex political landscape, marked by initial cooperation with the Cambodian People's Party, ambitious economic policies, and escalating conflicts that ultimately led to his ouster.
4.1. Coalition Government Operation and Economic Policies
Despite being nominally senior, First Prime Minister Ranariddh held less actual executive power compared to Second Prime Minister Hun Sen. Initially, Ranariddh viewed Hun Sen with suspicion, yet the two leaders developed a close working relationship, largely agreeing on policy decisions until early 1996.
In August 1993, during the interim government, Ranariddh and Hun Sen jointly applied for Cambodia's membership in the International Organization of La Francophonie. This decision sparked a debate among higher education students, particularly at the Institute of Technology of Cambodia, who advocated for English to replace French as the language of instruction. Ranariddh responded by encouraging students to learn both languages simultaneously.
In August 1995, Ranariddh expressed admiration for the political and economic systems of Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. He viewed these nations, characterized by "hybrid regimes" (which often involve limited press freedom and active state intervention in the economy), as suitable models for Cambodia's socio-economic growth. Critically, Ranariddh publicly espoused the view that economic development should take precedence over democratic principles and human rights, a stance that drew concern from human rights advocates.
As First Prime Minister, he actively sought foreign investment, particularly from regional leaders. He engaged with political figures from Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia to encourage economic engagement in Cambodia. In early 1994, Ranariddh established the Cambodian Development Council (CDC) to attract foreign investment and served as its chairperson. The Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad, supported Ranariddh's initiatives, urging Malaysian businesses to invest in Cambodia's tourism, infrastructure, and telecommunications sectors.
As CDC chairman, Ranariddh approved at least 17 business contracts from Malaysian investors between August 1994 and January 1995. These projects primarily focused on infrastructural development, including the construction of a racing track, power plants, and petrol stations. In November 1994, the CDC invited tenders for a casino near Sihanoukville, with proposals from Malaysia's Ariston Berhad, Singapore's Unicentral Corporation, and the US's Hyatt International being shortlisted. Ariston's proposal, valued at 1.30 B USD, included bringing a luxury cruise ship with a casino to Cambodia as temporary accommodation until the Sihanoukville resort was built. Controversially, Ariston's ship arrived in Phnom Penh in early December 1994, even before the tender process concluded, leading Tourism Minister Veng Sereyvuth to suspect backroom dealings between the CDC and Ariston. Ranariddh ultimately signed the contract with Ariston in January 1995.
Forest logging and timber exports, a significant source of foreign earnings, were banned by the UNTAC administration in 1992. In October 1993, Ranariddh issued a temporary order to lift the ban to allow the export of already felled trees. Large areas of forests in western and northern Cambodia, bordering Thailand, remained under Khmer Rouge control. The Khmer Rouge financed their operations by selling timber to Thai companies, and the Cambodian government sought to regain these revenues. In January 1994, Ranariddh and Hun Sen signed a bilateral agreement with Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai, allowing legal timber exports to Thailand until March 31, 1994, with Cambodian customs officials able to inspect logs and collect duties in designated zones within Thailand.
Despite the logging ban coming into force on March 31, 1994, illegal felling continued, creating new timber stockpiles. Ranariddh and Hun Sen granted special authorization for this lumber to be exported to North Korea. They continued this practice of periodically lifting export bans and granting special approvals for fallen timber until Ranariddh's ouster in 1997. According to Canadian geographer Philippe Le Billon, Ranariddh and Hun Sen tacitly supported continued Khmer Rouge logging activities, as it provided a lucrative backdoor source of cash revenue to finance their own political activities. Under Ranariddh's co-administration, Malaysia's Samling Berhad and Indonesia's Macro-Panin were major beneficiaries, securing logging rights for 1989 K acre (805.00 K ha) and 3.5 M acre (1.40 M ha) of forests, respectively, between 1994 and 1995, raising serious environmental and ethical concerns.
4.2. Political Conflicts and Escalation of Tensions
The initial cooperation between Ranariddh and Hun Sen began to unravel due to deep-seated political differences and a struggle for power within the coalition government. In October 1994, Ranariddh and Hun Sen removed Sam Rainsy as Finance Minister during a cabinet reshuffle. Rainsy, appointed by Ranariddh in 1993, had become uncomfortable for both prime ministers due to his persistent pursuit of allegations of government corruption. His dismissal prompted Norodom Sirivudh to resign as Foreign Minister the following month. The situation worsened in March 1995 when Rainsy publicly questioned Ranariddh's acceptance of a Fokker 28 airplane and a 108.00 M USD commission from Ariston Berhad. Angered by these accusations, Ranariddh expelled Rainsy from FUNCINPEC in May 1995 and subsequently introduced a parliamentary motion to remove him as a Member of Parliament. In 1995, Ranariddh also publicly advocated for capital punishment for murderers and drug traffickers.
From January 1996, the relationship between Ranariddh and Hun Sen grew increasingly tense. When Hun Sen circulated a government decree to reinstate January 7 as a national holiday, commemorating Phnom Penh's liberation from the Khmer Rouge by Vietnamese forces, Ranariddh signed it, incurring the wrath of Sihanouk and some FUNCINPEC leaders. Days later, likely to appease dissatisfied party members, Ranariddh publicly accused the People's Army of Vietnam of encroaching into four Cambodian provinces, a move seen by Benny Widyono as a test of Hun Sen's reaction, to which Hun Sen remained silent. A FUNCINPEC meeting in late January 1996 saw party members criticize Hun Sen and the CPP for monopolizing government power and Ranariddh for being too submissive.
In February 1996, Ranariddh voiced concerns over delays in the construction of Ariston's Sihanoukville resort-casino project, which he had approved in January 1995. Ariston blamed the lack of governmental authority in Sihanoukville. In May 1996, Ranariddh accused CPP-controlled ministries of deliberately delaying the necessary paperwork for Ariston's project approval. According to Tioulong Saumura, former deputy governor of Cambodia's Central Bank, these delays were part of Hun Sen's strategy to undermine projects associated with Ranariddh. In retaliation, Ranariddh instructed FUNCINPEC's co-minister of interior, You Hockry, to close all casinos in Cambodia, citing a lack of authorizing legislation, and proposed canceling Ariston's contracts. Hun Sen countered by meeting with Mahathir Mohamad, assuring him that all agreements previously approved by Ranariddh would be honored.
At a FUNCINPEC congress in March 1996, Ranariddh expressed deep dissatisfaction with his relationship with Hun Sen and the CPP, describing his and FUNCINPEC ministers' positions as "puppets." He criticized the CPP for delays in appointing FUNCINPEC local officials as district chiefs and threatened to dissolve the National Assembly by year-end if FUNCINPEC's concerns were not addressed. Several FUNCINPEC MPs, including Loy Sim Chheang and Ahmad Yahya, urged Ranariddh to reconcile with Sam Rainsy and collaborate with the newly formed Khmer Nation Party (KNP) for the upcoming general election. On April 27, 1996, while in Paris, Ranariddh met with Sihanouk, Rainsy, Chakrapong, and Sirivudh. Shortly after, Sihanouk issued a statement praising Hun Sen and the CPP, asserting FUNCINPEC had no intention of leaving the coalition government, an attempt to ease tensions. However, Hun Sen rejected these overtures, responding with public letters attacking Sihanouk, Ranariddh, and FUNCINPEC. At a CPP meeting on June 29, 1996, Hun Sen publicly chastised Ranariddh for not following through on his threat to leave the coalition and reportedly called him a "real dog," while also instructing CPP provincial governors to boycott Ranariddh's rallies.
4.3. 1997 Coup d'état and Exile
The political tensions reached a boiling point in the lead-up to the 1997 coup. In August 1996, a public split occurred within the Khmer Rouge, with Pol Pot denouncing Ieng Sary via radio. Ieng Sary, in turn, formed the Democratic National Union Movement. This brief reprieve from conflict saw Ranariddh and Hun Sen jointly seeking a royal pardon for Ieng Sary, who had been sentenced to death by the People's Republic of Kampuchea government in 1979. Both prime ministers then competed to gain Ieng Sary's favor through separate visits to his stronghold in Pailin in October and December 1996. Hun Sen ultimately gained an advantage by convincing Khmer Rouge soldiers loyal to Ieng Sary to join the CPP. Ranariddh's planned follow-up visit to Samlout District, another town within Ieng Sary's territory, was canceled due to threats from Sary's soldiers to shoot down his helicopter.
In September 1996, Ariston Berhad signed three new agreements with CPP minister Sok An to lease land for a golf course, holiday resort, and airport in Sihanoukville, all without Ranariddh's knowledge or the consent of other FUNCINPEC ministers. Outraged, Ranariddh declared these agreements null and void in a February 1997 letter to Ariston's president. This action offended Hun Sen, who, in April 1997, reassured Mahathir Mohamad of the agreements' validity.
Ranariddh then forged a political coalition with the KNP, the Buddhist Liberal Democratic Party, and the Khmer Neutral Party, formalizing their alliance as the "National United Front" (NUF) on January 27, 1997. Ranariddh was nominated as the NUF's president, declaring his intent to lead the alliance against the CPP in the 1998 general elections. The CPP condemned the NUF's formation and responded by creating a rival coalition of ideologically aligned parties. Ranariddh intensified his attacks against Hun Sen, accusing him of planning to restore a communist regime if the CPP won the next election. Concurrently, he sought to persuade moderate Khmer Rouge leaders, including Khieu Samphan and Tep Kunnal, to join the NUF. Khieu Samphan accepted, and on May 21, 1997, his party, the Khmer National Solidarity Party (KNSP), pledged support to the NUF. Ranariddh and Samphan signed a communiqué of mutual support on June 4, 1997.
Five days later, customs officials in Sihanoukville intercepted a three-ton shipment of rocket launchers, assault rifles, and handguns, disguised as "spare parts" and consigned to Ranariddh. While CPP-aligned Royal Cambodian Air Force officers seized the rocket launchers, FUNCINPEC-aligned Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) officials were allowed to keep the lighter weapons. In mid-June, Khmer Rouge radio, controlled by Khieu Samphan, broadcast a speech endorsing the KNSP-NUF alliance and calling for armed struggle against Hun Sen, leading to immediate clashes between Ranariddh's and Hun Sen's bodyguards. Hun Sen issued an ultimatum, demanding Ranariddh choose between siding with the Khmer Rouge or the coalition government. Eleven days later, Hun Sen completely ceased cooperation with Ranariddh. On July 3, 1997, Ranariddh, en route to Phnom Penh, encountered CPP-aligned troops who disarmed his bodyguards, prompting him to flee Cambodia the following day. On July 5, fighting erupted between RCAF troops aligned with the CPP and FUNCINPEC after CPP generals attempted to force FUNCINPEC troops to surrender. FUNCINPEC-aligned units suffered heavy casualties the next day, fleeing Phnom Penh to O Smach in Oddar Meanchey Province. This military defeat effectively ousted Ranariddh from power.
5. Later Political Activities
Following his removal from co-premiership, Norodom Ranariddh embarked on a challenging political journey marked by exile, attempts at comebacks, and internal party struggles.
5.1. Return and 1998 General Election
The military defeat of FUNCINPEC-aligned troops on July 6, 1997, led to Ranariddh's effective ouster. On July 9, 1997, the Cambodian Foreign Ministry issued a white paper condemning Ranariddh as a "criminal" and "traitor," accusing him of conspiring with the Khmer Rouge to destabilize the government. In exile, Ranariddh traveled to the Philippines, Singapore, and Indonesia, meeting with leaders like Fidel Ramos, Goh Chok Tong, and Suharto to seek international support for his reinstatement. While he was abroad, FUNCINPEC MPs loyal to Hun Sen nominated Ung Huot to replace Ranariddh as First Prime Minister on July 16, 1997. Huot's appointment was endorsed by the National Assembly on August 6, 1997. King Sihanouk initially declared Ranariddh's ouster unconstitutional and refused to endorse Ung Huot, but later relented after Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states supported Huot's appointment.
In September 1997, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan mediated discussions between Ranariddh and Hun Sen to facilitate the return of FUNCINPEC politicians and prepare for the 1998 general elections. Both leaders agreed to UN monitoring of the elections, but Hun Sen insisted that Ranariddh face court charges, prompting Ranariddh to threaten a boycott. At O Smach, FUNCINPEC-aligned troops continued to fight alongside Khmer Rouge forces against CPP-aligned troops until a Japanese-brokered ceasefire took effect in February 1998. In March 1998, a military court convicted Ranariddh *in absentia* of illegally smuggling ammunition in May 1997 and colluding with the Khmer Rouge, sentencing him to a total of 35 years imprisonment. However, this conviction was nullified by a royal pardon from Sihanouk, allowing Ranariddh to return to Cambodia at the end of March 1998 to lead FUNCINPEC's election campaign. The campaign emphasized pro-monarchical sentiments and anti-Vietnamese rhetoric.
FUNCINPEC faced significant obstacles, including the CPP's exclusive control over television and radio channels following the 1997 clashes, and difficulties for its supporters in attending party rallies. In the July 26, 1998, election, FUNCINPEC secured 31.7 percent of the popular vote and 43 out of 122 parliamentary seats, while the CPP won with 41.4 percent and 64 seats. The Sam Rainsy Party (SRP), Rainsy's renamed KNP, came in third with 14.3 percent and 15 seats. Both Ranariddh and Rainsy protested the results, alleging voter intimidation and ballot tampering by the CPP-led government. Their petitions to the National Election Commission (NEC) and Constitutional Court were rejected in August 1998, leading them to organize street protests demanding Hun Sen's resignation. On September 7, 1998, the government responded by banning protests and cracking down on participants. Sihanouk intervened, arranging a summit meeting in Siem Reap on September 24, 1998, to resolve the political impasse, summoning Hun Sen, Ranariddh, and Rainsy for discussions. On the day of the summit, an RPG-2 rocket was fired at Hun Sen's motorcade, narrowly missing it. Police accused FUNCINPEC and SRP leaders, particularly Rainsy, of plotting the attack. Both Ranariddh and Rainsy denied involvement but fled to Bangkok the next day, fearing government crackdowns on their parties.
5.2. Tenure as President of the National Assembly (1998-2006)
Following Ranariddh's flight to Bangkok after the alleged rocket attack, King Sihanouk urged him to return to join the CPP in a coalition government, recognizing that FUNCINPEC faced potential disintegration without his leadership. Ranariddh returned to Cambodia on November 12, 1998, for a summit meeting hosted by Sihanouk, where he negotiated with Hun Sen and Chea Sim on the structure of a new government. An agreement was reached: FUNCINPEC would be granted the National Assembly presidency along with several lower and mid-level cabinet posts, in exchange for its support for the creation of the Cambodian Senate. On November 25, 1998, Ranariddh was nominated and appointed as the President of the National Assembly. This creation of the Senate was viewed by some as a strategic move to provide an alternative legislative platform should Ranariddh use his influence as National Assembly President to obstruct legislation.
After his appointment, Ranariddh worked with Hun Sen to reintegrate FUNCINPEC-aligned troops into the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces. He also participated in efforts to improve relations with Vietnam, collaborating with the Vietnamese National Assembly President Nông Đức Mạnh to develop friendship and cooperation initiatives. This led to several mutual visits between Cambodian and Vietnamese political leaders between 1999 and 2000, though relations deteriorated from September 2000 due to renewed border clashes. Ranariddh steered FUNCINPEC towards political rapprochement with the CPP, actively discouraging FUNCINPEC ministers and MPs from criticizing their CPP counterparts. At the party's congress in March 2001, Ranariddh famously declared the CPP an "eternal partner."
However, by 1999, a significant minority of FUNCINPEC politicians were dissatisfied with Ranariddh's leadership, fueled by rumors that he had accepted bribes from the CPP. In February 2002, FUNCINPEC performed poorly in the commune elections, winning only 10 out of 1,600 commune seats, which brought internal party rifts into the open. In March 2002, RCAF Deputy Commander-in-Chief Khan Savoeun accused You Hockry, the co-Minister of Interior, of corruption and nepotism, claiming these actions had alienated voters. When Ranariddh expressed support for Savoeun in May 2002, Hockry resigned. Around the same time, two new splinter parties emerged from FUNCINPEC: the Khmer Soul Party, led by Norodom Chakrapong, and the Hang Dara Democratic Party, led by Hang Dara. Both parties attracted a considerable number of FUNCINPEC defectors, reportedly unhappy with Ranariddh's leadership, causing him to fear poor performance in the 2003 general elections.
In the July 2003 general elections, the CPP won, while FUNCINPEC's popular vote share dropped by 11 percentage points from 1998, securing only 20.8 percent and 26 out of 120 parliamentary seats. Ranariddh and Sam Rainsy, whose SRP also participated, again expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome, accusing the CPP of fraud and voter intimidation. They refused to support a CPP-led government, which required a two-thirds majority of MPs to form. In August 2003, Ranariddh and Rainsy formed the "Alliance of Democrats" (AD), lobbying the CPP to form a three-party government including the CPP, FUNCINPEC, and SRP. They also demanded Hun Sen's resignation and reform of the NEC, which they claimed was stacked with pro-CPP appointees. Hun Sen rejected their demands, leading to several months of political stalemate.
In March 2004, Ranariddh privately proposed to Hun Sen that FUNCINPEC join the new government as a junior coalition partner. Discussions between CPP and FUNCINPEC led to an agreement in June 2004, when Ranariddh abandoned his alliance with Rainsy, dropped his demands for NEC reform, and once again pledged support for Hun Sen as Prime Minister. Hun Sen also pressured Ranariddh into supporting a controversial constitutional amendment known as a "package vote," which required MPs to support legislation and ministerial appointments by an open show of hands, effectively limiting dissent. While Ranariddh acquiesced, the "package vote" amendment was opposed by Sihanouk, Chea Sim, the SRP, and several senior FUNCINPEC leaders. After its passage in July 2004, several FUNCINPEC leaders resigned in protest. Ranariddh, who remained President of the National Assembly as part of the agreement, attempted to entice SRP leaders to defect to FUNCINPEC with promises of government positions, succeeding with at least one senior SRP leader, Ou Bun Long.
5.3. Departure from FUNCINPEC and Founding of Norodom Ranariddh Party
On March 2, 2006, the National Assembly passed a constitutional amendment which required only a simple majority of parliamentarians to support a government, rather than the previous two-thirds majority. The following day, Hun Sen dismissed Norodom Sirivudh and Nhek Bun Chhay from their posts as FUNCINPEC's co-minister of interior and co-minister of defense, respectively. Ranariddh protested these dismissals and resigned as the President of the National Assembly on March 14, subsequently relocating to France. Shortly after his departure, local tabloids published stories alleging an affair between Ranariddh and Ouk Phalla, an Apsara dancer.
In early September 2006, a new law outlawing adultery was passed, which Ranariddh publicly denounced, accusing the government of attempting to undermine FUNCINPEC. On September 18, 2006, Hun Sen and Nhek Bun Chhay called for Ranariddh's replacement as FUNCINPEC's president, citing party reports that Phalla had lobbied Ranariddh to appoint her relatives to government positions. On October 18, 2006, Nhek Bun Chhay convened a party congress that formally dismissed Ranariddh from his position as FUNCINPEC's president, granting him the titular position of "Historic President." Nhek Bun Chhay justified Ranariddh's ouster due to his deteriorating relations with Hun Sen and his prolonged absences overseas.
Following Ranariddh's exit from FUNCINPEC, Nhek Bun Chhay filed a lawsuit in November 2006, accusing Ranariddh of embezzling 3.60 M USD from the 2005 sale of the party's headquarters to the French embassy. In mid-November, Ranariddh returned to Cambodia and established the Norodom Ranariddh Party (NRP), assuming its presidency. The National Assembly expelled him as an MP the following month. Days later, his wife, Eng Marie, sued him for adultery. His half-brother, Chakrapong, was also expelled from FUNCINPEC and joined the NRP as its deputy president.
In March 2007, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court convicted Ranariddh *in absentia* of embezzlement related to the FUNCINPEC headquarters sale, sentencing him to 18 months imprisonment. To evade imprisonment, Ranariddh sought asylum in Malaysia shortly before the sentencing.
5.4. Retirement from Politics and Attempts at Re-entry
While living in exile in Malaysia, Norodom Ranariddh continued to communicate with NRP party members and supporters through telephone and video conferencing. In November 2007, he proposed a merger between the NRP, the SRP, and the Human Rights Party to enhance their electoral prospects against the CPP in the 2008 general elections, but Sam Rainsy, leader of the SRP, rejected his proposal. When the election campaign began in June 2008, Ranariddh, though unable to enter Cambodia, addressed issues such as border disputes with neighboring countries, illegal logging, and promised to lower petrol prices.
In the July 2008 elections, the NRP secured two parliamentary seats. Immediately after the election, the NRP, along with the SRP and HRP, accused the Election Commission of irregularities. However, the NRP later dropped its accusations after Hun Sen brokered a secret deal with Ranariddh, allowing the prince to return from exile in exchange for the NRP's recognition of the election results. In September 2008, Ranariddh received a royal pardon from King Norodom Sihamoni (who had ascended the throne in October 2004) for his embezzlement conviction, enabling his return to Cambodia without risk of imprisonment.
Upon his return, Ranariddh announced his retirement from politics and pledged support for the CPP-led government, largely dedicating his time to philanthropic work and royal activities. In late 2010, NRP and FUNCINPEC leaders, including Nhek Bun Chhay, publicly urged Ranariddh to re-enter politics. While initially resisting, Ranariddh changed his mind and returned in December 2010. Over the next eighteen months, Ranariddh and Nhek Bun Chhay negotiated a merger between the NRP and FUNCINPEC. An agreement was formalized in May 2012, stipulating that Ranariddh would become the president of FUNCINPEC, and Nhek Bun Chhay its vice-president. However, the merger agreement was rescinded a month later when Nhek Bun Chhay accused Ranariddh of supporting other opposition parties. Two months later, Ranariddh retired from politics for a second time and resigned as the president of the NRP.
5.5. Return to FUNCINPEC and Final Activities
In March 2014, Norodom Ranariddh emerged from his second retirement to launch a new political party, the Community of Royalist People's Party (CRPP). Sam Rainsy, by then the president of the Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP), accused Ranariddh of intending to split the opposition vote in favor of the ruling CPP in future elections. Ranariddh countered these accusations by stating his motivation was to reunite royalist supporters within the Cambodian electorate, while also accusing the CNRP of harboring republican sentiments. The CRPP gained support from some senior FUNCINPEC party members; by December 2014, an ex-secretary of state, a senator, and a deputy police chief publicly declared their allegiance to the CRPP. Subsequently, Hun Sen proposed to Ranariddh that he return to FUNCINPEC.
In January 2015, Ranariddh dissolved the CRPP and formally returned to FUNCINPEC. At a party congress on January 19, 2015, he was reappointed FUNCINPEC president. His half-sister and former FUNCINPEC president, Norodom Arunrasmy, became the first vice-president, and Nhek Bun Chhay was appointed second vice-president. In March 2015, Ranariddh convened another party congress where he appointed four additional vice-presidents to the FUNCINPEC executive committee and successfully advocated for a new party logo, nearly identical in design to the defunct CRPP.
In July 2015, Ranariddh supported the establishment of the Cambodian Royalist Youth Movement, a youth organization aimed at attracting younger voters to FUNCINPEC, and he was appointed its honorary president. In November 2017, he returned to the National Assembly as a member of parliament after the dissolution of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, which resulted in FUNCINPEC receiving 41 of the 55 vacated seats. Despite these efforts, the party performed poorly in the 2018 Cambodian general election, failing to win a single seat in the National Assembly. Although they were the runners-up behind the Cambodian People's Party, their popular vote tally was notably fewer than the 594,659 invalid ballots cast by disenfranchised supporters of the former opposition, signaling a widespread protest against the electoral process. Ranariddh remained out of public view following a severe car accident during the 2018 election campaign, which tragically resulted in the death of his second wife, Ouk Phalla. He made frequent visits to France for medical treatment, including for a broken pelvis in 2019, and continued to receive care until his passing.
6. Royal Relations
Norodom Ranariddh maintained significant connections with the Cambodian royal family throughout his life, holding various royal titles and playing a crucial role in discussions regarding the royal succession.
6.1. Royal Titles and Appointments
In June 1993, Norodom Ranariddh was granted the Cambodian royal title of "Sdech Krom Luong" (ស្ដេចក្រុមលួងCentral Khmer), which translates to "Senior Prince" in English. Just five months later, in November 1993, he was elevated to the prestigious rank of "Samdech Krom Preah" (សម្ដេចក្រុមព្រះCentral Khmer), or "Leading Senior Prince," in recognition of his significant contributions to the reinstatement of Norodom Sihanouk as the King of Cambodia.
Ranariddh received several distinguished awards from the palace. In December 1992, he was decorated as the Grand Officer of the Royal Order of Cambodia. He received the Grand Order of National Merit in May 2001 and was awarded the Order of Sovatara, with the class of Mohasereivadh, in October 2001. Internationally, he was honored as Grand Officer de l'Ordre de la Pleaide by La Francophonie in March 2000, acknowledging his efforts towards democratic steps.
In December 2008, King Norodom Sihamoni appointed Ranariddh as President of the Supreme Privy Council of Cambodia, a position equivalent in rank to that of prime minister. In a December 2010 interview, Ranariddh disclosed that this royal appointment entitled him to a monthly salary of 3.00 M KHR, equivalent to about 750 USD.
6.2. Discussion on Royal Succession
Debates surrounding the succession to the Cambodian throne began as early as November 1993, shortly after King Sihanouk was diagnosed with cancer, making the question of his successor a matter of public and political speculation. A 1995 poll conducted by the Khmer Journalists' Associations among 700 people indicated that 24 percent of respondents preferred Ranariddh to ascend the throne, although a larger proportion expressed no preference.
In a March 1996 interview, King Sihanouk encouraged Ranariddh to succeed him but also voiced concern about the potential for a leadership vacuum within FUNCINPEC should Ranariddh assume the monarchy. Sihanouk reiterated these concerns in a February 1997 interview, additionally mentioning Norodom Sihamoni as another potential candidate, despite Sihamoni's expressed view that the responsibilities of the throne were "frightening." Sihamoni's candidacy found favor with Hun Sen and Chea Sim due to his non-involvement in politics, making him a less threatening choice for the CPP.
Ranariddh himself had previously rejected the notion of becoming the next king in reports from 1993 and 1996, suggesting in November 1997 that his outspoken and passionate personality made him an unsuitable candidate for the throne. However, by March 1999, Ranariddh became more receptive to the idea of succeeding his father. In early 2001, he discussed his conflicting desires between taking the throne and remaining in politics. By November 2001, Ranariddh publicly stated his decision to prioritize his political career over the throne, adding that Sihamoni had previously supported him as the next king. In September 2004, Ranariddh reaffirmed his preference for Sihamoni to take the throne, despite having been offered the position by both Sihanouk and Norodom Monineath, Sihamoni's mother. When the Royal Council of the Throne convened in October 2004 to select Sihanouk's successor, Ranariddh was part of the council that unanimously chose Norodom Sihamoni to be the next king.
7. Personal Life and Death
Norodom Ranariddh's personal life often intersected with his public persona, notably through his physical resemblance to his father and the eventual public unraveling of his marriage amidst political turmoil.
7.1. Personal Life
Norodom Ranariddh was widely noted for his striking physical resemblance to his father, King Sihanouk, inheriting his facial features, high-pitched voice, and distinctive mannerisms. Contemporaries such as Harish Mehta, Lee Kuan Yew, and Benny Widyono (Oei Hong Lan) commented on this resemblance after meeting him. An opinion poll conducted in July 1997 by the Cambodian Information Centre also supported these observations. Journalists frequently noted that Ranariddh leveraged this resemblance to rally support for FUNCINPEC during the 1993 and 1998 general elections. Ranariddh himself acknowledged these observations in a 2001 interview, stating that people adored the king and associated his appearance with his father's deeds, which he described as both a benefit and a burden, as failure would lead people to remark, "Oh, you are the son, but you are not like your father."
Ranariddh was fluent in Khmer, French, and English, and held dual Cambodian and French citizenship. He enjoyed listening to music and watching films, though in 2001 he humbly described himself as lacking the artistic talent that his father, Sihanouk, possessed. In 2002, Ranariddh ventured into film production and direction, creating a 90-minute film titled Raja Bori, which was notably shot at Angkor Wat.
Ranariddh met his first wife, Eng Marie, in early 1968. Marie was the eldest child of Eng Meas, a Sino-Khmer official from the Interior Ministry, and Sarah Hay, a Muslim woman of Cham ethnicity. Marie had nine younger siblings, including Roland Eng, who later served as Cambodia's ambassador to Thailand and the United States. Ranariddh and Eng Marie married in September 1968 at the royal palace. They had three children: Norodom Chakravuth (born 1970), Norodom Sihariddh (born 1972), and Norodom Rattana Devi (born 1974). The couple separated, and Marie filed for divorce in March 2006, when Ranariddh's relationship with Ouk Phalla became public knowledge. Their divorce was finalized in June 2010.
Ranariddh had two sons with Ouk Phalla: Norodom Sothearidh (born 2003) and Norodom Ranavong (born 2011). Ouk Phalla was a descendant of King Sisowath and a classical dancer. She met Ranariddh when he was producing and directing his film Raja Bori.
7.2. Death
Norodom Ranariddh died on November 28, 2021, at the age of 77, in Aix-en-Provence, France. His death followed prolonged health issues resulting from a serious car accident on June 17, 2018, in Sihanoukville Province, which also tragically killed his second wife, Ouk Phalla. Ranariddh had sustained severe injuries, including a broken pelvis, for which he received extensive medical treatment in Paris beginning in late 2019. The Minister of Information, Khieu Kanharith, officially announced his passing.
8. Family
Norodom Ranariddh's family structure reflects a complex royal lineage and personal relationships that were at times public and controversial.
He was the second son of King Norodom Sihanouk and his first wife, Phat Kanhol, a ballet dancer. Ranariddh had one full-sibling, Norodom Buppha Devi, who, like their mother, became a renowned ballet dancer. After her marriage to Sihanouk, Phat Kanhol remarried in 1947 to a military officer named Chap Huot, with whom she had five more children. Phat Kanhol died of cancer in February 1969 at 49 years old, and Chap Huot was killed in an explosion a year later. Four of Ranariddh's half-siblings from his mother's second marriage were killed during the brutal Khmer Rouge years. One, Chap Nhalyvoud, survived and later served as the governor of Siem Reap Province from 1998 to 2004.
Ranariddh's first marriage was to Eng Marie, whom he met in early 1968. Eng Marie was the eldest child of Eng Meas, a Sino-Khmer official in the Interior Ministry, and Sarah Hay, a Muslim woman of Cham ethnicity. Among Marie's nine younger siblings was Roland Eng, who would become Cambodia's ambassador to Thailand and the United States. Norodom Ranariddh and Eng Marie married in September 1968 at the royal palace. They had three children:
- Norodom Chakravuth (born 1970)
- Norodom Sihariddh (born 1972), who later married and had one son, Norodom Chaiyarith (born 2004).
- Norodom Rattana Devi (born 1974), who married Ansiau La Planeta on December 31, 2000.
The marriage between Ranariddh and Eng Marie eventually dissolved. Marie filed for divorce in March 2006, following the public revelation of Ranariddh's relationship with Ouk Phalla. The divorce was finalized in June 2010.
Norodom Ranariddh's second significant relationship was with Ouk Phalla, a classical Apsara dancer and actress who was a descendant of King Sisowath. They met when Ranariddh was producing and directing his film Raja Bori. Ranariddh had two sons with Ouk Phalla:
- Norodom Sothearidh (born 2003)
- Norodom Ranavong (born 2011)
Tragically, Ouk Phalla died on June 17, 2018, from injuries sustained in a car accident in Sihanoukville Province, which also severely injured Ranariddh.