In Memory of Our Nation’s Heroes: Tot Bunyoeun and the ‘Invisible Enemy’

Master sergeant Tot Bunyoeun passed away on July 29, as a result of breathing difficulties brought on b the Thai use of white phosphorus, according to his fellow soldiers. Supplied

-Opinion-
Master sergeant Tot Bunyoeun is one of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives defending Cambodia’s sovereignty and national security. The second of five siblings, his father has been paralysed since the Khmer Rouge era and his mother is blind. As the breadwinner of the family, he never married, but volunteered to serve in the army in 2008 to help his family and the country.

Every month, he sent his salary home to his mother and father, who built a small wooden house where they live with his youngest sister, a widow with one child. Bunyoeun loved his niece very much.

She called him “Grand Uncle”, and whenever he visited home, he would always bring snacks or toys for his niece, as well as bags of rice for his parents. Besides his military service, he liked to grow vegetables and raise chickens, which he took great care of.

His favourite food was steamed fish paste with eggs.

“My brother once promised me that if he had a lot of money, he would buy me a two-wheel tractor. He always said he wanted to build a beautiful home for our parents, recalled his sister, Srey Pov.

During a lull in the ferocious fighting on the morning of July 27, she visited her brother, near the Preah Vihear provincial military base.

Bunyoeun told her to wait for him at home, assuring her that when the battle was over, he would return to see them.

“My brother was very confident that he would win the battle. He forbade me and my parents from going anywhere. We had to wait for him at home. He was afraid that he could not find us when he returned home. He said that he was standing guard at the temple and he hadn’t surrendered yet,” she said.

At around 7pm that night, Bunyeoun and his squad of 20, led by the air defence chief of the 6th intervention brigade, were deployed at the temple, which was extensively bombed and shelled by the Thai military.

According to Heng Ratana, director-general of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC), the Thais used F-16 fighter jets to drop 230-kilogramme MK-82 bombs, as well as 155-millimetre artillery shells and cluster munitions.

Before launching a ground assault, the Thai army fired white phosphorus (WP) rounds at the Cambodian army positions. Despite this, Bunyeoun’s unit were able to defend their position at the temple until the 28.

The choking acrid smoke from the WP led to breathing difficulties for Bunyeon, and the effects were so severe that on the afternoon of July 29, the much-loved brother, son and uncle succumbed.

Of the squad of 20 soldiers, only Bunyoeun was killed by the white phosphorus.

Srey Pov received the news from Bunyoeun’s team leader at 5 pm.

“When I received the news, I was so shocked. I had only spoken to him on the phone the other day. He told us not to go anywhere. As long as he was there, we would all be safe. But in the end, he left us forever,” she said.

The brave soldier’s commanding officer returned his body to the family, who held a funeral at their home. It was attended by many relatives and neighbours, as well as Cambodian government officials.

The family received messages of condolences to the family and appreciation for his heroism from many Cambodians.

To fulfil his final wish, a private company has donated a new mobile home to his parents. His parents are proud of their son for giving them such an invaluable honour.

During the five-day battle between the Cambodian and Thai armies, the Thais made extensive use of heavy weapons, fighter jets and drones to attack Cambodia.

Many analysts have argued that it was a moral failure for Thailand to use such destructive weapons.

Ang Sokheng and Chey Virak have argued that “Weapons like white phosphorus, used in populated or fragile areas, cross into moral failure. They don’t just fight enemies; they destroy futures. And in doing so, they violate not just international law but the will of God, who gave us the Earth not to conquer, but to care for”.

More than a month after the death of sergeant Bunyoeun, his family misses him even more.

“We have nothing to rely on anymore. My parents always think of him, especially whenever we enter the house and see his photo. It was taken very recently. All he left behind were an old motorbike, his military uniforms and a bag,” Srey Pov said.

“My brother could confront all kinds of weapons, but he could not escape the white phosphorus that the enemy used on Cambodia. My family and I will pay tribute to him during the upcoming Pchum Ben Festival. We will also organize a 100-day funeral for him in the coming month. I pray for peace soon so that there will be no more loss of life for soldiers and innocent people,” she added.

September 11, 2025 marks Ben 4 (the fourth day of Kanben) of the Pchum Ben period in Cambodia.

In a Royal Message released by His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni on September 8, His Majesty called on all Cambodians from all walks of life to collectively honour the souls of the fallen patriots who fought bravely against the aggressors, during the Pchum Ben period.

His Majesty prayed that their spirits be guided toward a peaceful realm.

Srey Pov’s daughter still asks for her beloved uncle Bunyeoun.

“Your grand uncle is in heaven, watching over you,” she tells her daughter.

So Farina is the principal deputy director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia (DC-Cam).

-The Phnom Penh Post-