Say Sorphea — chair of a company formerly run by Hun Manet’s wife, a recipient of state land on Phnom Penh’s Boeng Tamok lake, and wife of a Brigade 70 general — has been given the title of oknha, according to the Royal Gazette.

In a document signed October 7, 2022, and released in book 79 of the Royal Gazette in May, Say Sorphea was granted the title of oknha, an honorific given to businesspeople who have donated at least $500,000 to the state.

Say Sorphea’s Facebook page has shared news of her oknha title, as well as a donation to the Cambodian Red Cross — which is run by Hun Sen’s wife, Bun Rany — her association with World International School Cambodia, and contains photos with her husband Phoeun Phalla and others.

The Commerce Ministry lists her as directors of seven companies, including Phoeun Phalla Group Development, Say Sorphea Education, and Active Properties.

Commerce Ministry records say Active Properties was formerly chaired by Pich Chanmony, who is the wife of the prime minister’s son Hun Manet.

Say Sorphea has also received at least four plots of formerly public land on Phnom Penh’s large Boeng Tamok lake, which is now being filled in with sand to make way for real estate developments. The plots total around 100 hectares and were transferred by sub-decrees in 2021.

Her husband is Phoeun Phalla, reportedly deputy commander of the military’s notorious Brigade 70, which once housed Prime Minister Hun Sen’s personal bodyguard unit and has been accused of involvement in political killings.

Phoeun Phalla, who is also an oknha, has faced land dispute complaints and an investigation by the military. He is also a former director of Active Properties.

Say Sorphea’s company is also involved in the widening of Prek Tnaut river in Kandal, over which nearly 100 families faced eviction.