Hi Youk,
I really appreciate the offer.
My friend whom has been back have lots of friends and will stay with them. However, just in case I will take your offer.
Your BIO was breathtaking, and impressive – congratulations!
I will try to connect with Sam. Do let him know that he will be expecting a call from me.
Brief about me, my story and long lost family – On April 13, 1975 I was about 15 years old. I left Cambodia with a family friend of mine whom his father was working for an American Embassy in Phnom Penh. I am the oldest of five reside in Tauk Kauk the corner of Mao Tse Tung Bl (about 1/4 mile from Soviet Bl) and the Railroad track just before the round-about bottom of the hill. There are several universities across from my home.
We landed in Utapao Thailand border where we stayed on camp grounds for two months before we got sponsorship then came to the San Onofre CA/US. We stayed there for about a month then moved on to Washington DC. We then moved to Florida living in the City of Lake Mary Florida (Central Florida) since 1996.
unFather name is Ros Houn – DOB 1933
Mother name is Anh So Hun – DOB 1939
Siblings:
Ros Bonnara – Sister
Ros Bonna – Sister
Ros Bonne -Brother
Ros Bonnrathana – Brother
At the time, my Grandmother was living with my cousin whom was married at the time and have two children. They were living next door to me. I have various Aunts and Uncles throughout the city of Phnom Penh. One of my cousins was a movie star, two other cousins were a Apsara dancers for the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Nearly 43 years that I have no contact with family members but I have always had hope that one day I would meet them again. I am planning on making a visit in the early of 2019. If you have any information of the above mentioned please write, email or call anytime of the day.
Here is my information.
Address:
689 Manderley Run
Lake Mary Fl 32746
Email; thequietracer@gmail.com
Phone: 407-701-6824
Thank you.
On Sun, Jul 8, 2018 at 7:08 AM Youk Chhang <dccam@online.com.kh> wrote:
Dear Rith:
Here is Sam’s phone number: 727-259-4246. You should call him.
FB: Sam Sarim
I have a sister living in MD. My niece and her kids are coming to Cambodia again next week for the summer.
I am here and you should not be afraid to come over. I can even pick you up from the airport and give you a tour in Tauk Kauk. There is a very nice and simple boutique hotel near my office, you should book it when you come. It is easy to communicate with me in case you need any helps. It is just across the street from my office.
http://safran-phnompenh.com
Today if you can, please write down your memory of Taul Kauk. I can publish it on a local press and our networks. Please also tell the readers that you are looking for your relatives. Write it in English and I will translate it into Khmer for you.
Regards,
Youk
From: Ross Bonar
Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2018 5:56 PM
To: Youk Chhang
Cc: Sam Sarim
Subject: Re: Long lost family – help please!
Please call me Rit.
I don’t recall names, places, movie stars….after 43 years…my Khmer speaking also getting away from me due to not knowing nor socializing with many Cambodians to practicing Khmer. Although, it will come back…
As we left in 75’ we landed in Otapao (?) Thai border. We camped there for about two months and received sponsor then routed to LA. Our sponsor brought us to DC/Virginia where we lived most of the last 43 years. My sponsor whom was working for the Navy at the American Embassy in Cambodia. I was adopted in 76’. He is here in FL, city of Winter Park.
Mr. Youk, what part of FL does Sam live?
You may be wondering why I haven’t been back to Cambodia. There are many reasons. I am now having my own family and responsibilities. My best friend is in DC, so we make regular visits and celebrating Khmer new year in MD. He’s been back and know many people and places. Every year we talked about going, but I will only go with him…this coming 2019 is looking very promising.
Thanks,
Rit
On Jul 8, 2018, at 6:33 AM, Youk Chhang <dccam@online.com.kh> wrote:
Dear Bonar:
Sam and I were living in refugee camp (Khao-I-Dang) in mid 1980s. I was later sent to the Philippines before arriving in the US.
My house in Taul Kauk is right behind Peou Um’s primary school – few houses away from the house of movie star, Nop Nem and Kim Nova.
You have now found your neighbor — me! Hope to see you in Phnom Penh soon.
Regards,
Youk
From: Ross Bonar
Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2018 5:26 PM
To: Youk Chhang
Cc: Sam Sarim
Subject: Re: Long lost family – help please!
Mr. Youk,
You have no idea how great full I am to see your email replied sitting in my inbox and to know you were living in the same city as I was and as well as your friend Sam I am extremely happy and hopeful that one day I will see my family again with your help.
Our home located at the corner of the main road and the railroad track about a mile or less from the AMC car Corp. if I recalled correctly, also adjacent to the University. I recalled the road after the RR track, it elevated down.
For many years I have made many attempts to find my family but this is the first time anyone has ever written back – I have never given up hope. Since April 13, 1975 there has been no contact or heard from any member of my family or friends nor have been back to Cambodia. I have a family here now, two kids on their own and a Grandfather (first grand Son). My wife Cara whom is not well and I are living in the City of Lake Mary (32746) for over 22 years.
I am extremely happy with your reply, hoping to meet you and Sam.
I can see light at the end of the tunnel – Someday I will see my family again.
Thank you,
Rit
407-701-6824
On Jul 8, 2018, at 1:59 AM, Youk Chhang <dccam@online.com.kh> wrote:
Dear Bonar:
My name is Youk Chhang. I am the Director of Documentation Center of Cambodia.
My team and I will search for the info in regard to your family and will keep you posted.
I would like you to know that I also lived in Taul Kauk before 1975. I was born in 1961. I am few younger than you. In Taul Kauk, I went to Lycee Indra Devi. My family in 1975 was evacuated by the Khmer Rouge to Battambang. I later made my way to the US after the KR collapsed in 1979. I live in Texas but working in Cambodia bringing all these Khmer Rouge leaders to court.
I have a friend in Florida. His name is Sam – known as Long. Here is his email: samsarim@gmail.com. I cc him above. He comes to Cambodia often and just in case you are here on the same time, we all should meet. I believed Long also lived in Taul Kauk
All the best,
Youk Chhang
http://d.dccam.org/Brief_Biography_of_Youk_Chhang.pdf
From: Ross Bonar
Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2018 1:06 AM
To: dccam@online.com.kh
Cc: thequietracer@gmail.com
Subject: Long lost family – help please!
Hi,
I know it will be an extremely tiny chance that my email will be read. I plead to please read and please help me finding my family.
On April 13, 1975 I was about 15 years old. I left the country with my close friend family whom at the time was working for an American Embassy. My father knew the situation with Cambodia at the time and sent me away (I’m the oldest of five children). I left thinking that I was taking a vacation to Bangkok, obviously I and my friend family didn’t know until we landed in Thailand camping ground. Long story short, I am now reside in the US state of Florida since 1975.
I have plan of visiting this coming 2019.
Below is the information of me and my family:
1. We lived in Pham Penh, city of Toul Kauk
2. My name is Ros Bonnarith – date of birth February 10, 1959
Father name is Ros houn – dob 1933
Mother name is Anh So Hun – dob 1939
Siblings:
Ros Bonnara – female
Ros Bonna – female
Ros Bonne -male
Ros Bonnrathana – male
Please – anything you can would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Ross aka Ros
Bonnarith am a Bonar
Tel: 407-701-6824
—
Best,
R.