Thiounn Prasith

Thiounn Prasith (Khmer: ជួន ប្រសិទ្ធិ; born 3 February 1930) was a Cambodian politician and diplomat.

Born in Phnom Penh, he had two famous elder brothers: Thiounn Thioeunn, Minister of Health; and Thiounn Mumm, Ministry of Industry. He was also a grandson of Thiounn. In September 1949, Thiounn Prasith went to study in France. He joined Cercle Marxiste ("Marxist Circle"), a Marxist–Leninist organisation which was created by Pol Pot and other two comrades.[1] In late December 1955, he returned to Cambodia, and was appointed deputy manager of "operations" of the royal railways. In June 1963 he left for France for health reasons. After the 1970 coup, Thiounn Prasith joined GRUNK in Beijing.[2] He was appointed the Minister of Coordination by Norodom Sihanouk.[3][4]

During the Khmer Rouge's regime, Thiounn Prasith worked as an interpreter in Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[2] He was also a close adviser to Ieng Sary.[5] After the Vietnamese invasion was launched, he went to the United Nations in New York together with Sihanouk and Keat Chhon. From 1979 to 1991 was appointed the permanent UN ambassador.[2] He defended Khmer Rouge's regime before the United Nations.[6] Later, he was appointed the deputy ambassador. He retired in 1993.[2] After retirement, he was reported to be living in the New York suburb of Mount Vernon.[6] As a former Khmer Rouge officer, he was not welcomed in United States. In 1995, State Department vowed to deport him.[5] Later, he moved to France in 2001. On 8 June 2009, he was interviewed in Paris.[2]