With a heartfelt and emotional message, Sok Siphana, Senior Minister of the Royal Government of Cambodia, launched his memoir, Destiny and Hope: Flashbacks from the Killing Fields of Cambodia. The publication of his tome – in both Khmer and English – marked a personal and historical milestone.

The event, held on April 29, at the Shangri-La Hotel in Phnom Penh, commemorated 50 years since the Khmer Rouge regime's fall, and reflected on both the horrors of the past and the enduring spirit of survival.

Siphana, whose life story spans from his harrowing experiences in the Khmer Rouge killing fields to becoming one of the leading figures in Cambodia's government and legal community, shared several moving reflections about how he came to write his memoir.

“Five years ago, I was diagnosed with cancer, and my wife encouraged me to write down my story,” he recounted.

“At first, I laughed. Who writes memoirs at 65? But then she said, 'You may not make it.' That made me think, and that’s when I decided to put pen to paper,” he explained.

Many of the Kingdom’s most recognisable academics, business leaders and civil society representatives were in attendance. Hong Raksmey

His journey to completing the memoir was no easy feat. Struggling with multiple cancer treatments, Siphana spent a year writing the book, fighting through moments of weakness and despair.

“I spent a whole year writing in between chemotherapy and radio therapy, losing my taste and voice,” he explained. “I had to find ways to keep my spirit up. It wasn’t easy, but I pushed through.”

Siphana’s story is not just about his battle with illness but also his resilience in the face of one of Cambodia’s darkest chapters.

At the age of 15, he was forced into the labour camps of the Khmer Rouge, where he endured unimaginable hardships.

Reflecting on his experiences, he shared a profound realisation.

“Hope is the willingness to accept the fact that everything has an end, and that includes death. That was something I came to understand during the Khmer Rouge era,” he noted.

Civil service minister Hun Many (right) personally attended the book launch. Hong Raksmey

During his speech, Siphana shared several personal anecdotes, including his poignant memories of his son’s own battle with cancer.

“Finishing this book after losing my son was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” he said, visibly emotional.

“But I knew I had to finish it. It was the last chapter of my life. He would want me to finish it,” he continued.

The memoir, available in both hardcover and softcover editions, serves as a testament to the human capacity for resilience, even in the face of extreme adversity.

“This book is more than just the personal journal of Sok Siphana; it is also a record of Cambodia’s history. But more so, it is an inspiration for the younger generation to learn to be resilient under the pressures of circumstances without losing their personality,” said Khieu Kanharith, featured on the back cover of the book.

Hun Many signed a poster during the event, providing a souvenir for Sok Siphana to remember the culmination of his long journey as an author. Hong Raksmey

Siphana’s life story, from surviving the Khmer Rouge’s atrocities to his leadership in the Cambodian government, inspires readers to hold onto hope and persevere through life’s challenges.

Siphana closed his speech with gratitude toward his wife, friends, and supporters.

“Without my wife, this memoir would never have been written. She was my rock through it all,” he said.

The launch event saw the attendance of many notable government and society figures, underscoring the importance of Siphana’s work both as a public figure and as a personal narrator of Cambodia’s painful yet hopeful history.

The English and Khmer editions of Destiny and Hope: Flashbacks from the Killing Fields of Cambodia are available at bookstores including Kinokuniya, Tsutaya, and Monument.

All proceeds from the book launch will be donated to the Sok Khieu Samithi Art Association, a further testament to Siphana’s dedication to preserving Cambodia’s culture and supporting future generations.

Visitors were pleased to purchase copies of Sophana’s book at the official launch. Hong Raksmey