Tea Banh (Khmer: ទៀ បាញ់ [tiəɓaɲ]; born 5 November 1945) is a Cambodian politician and general. He was a Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia and the Minister of National Defence from 1987 until 2023. He is a former general and a member of the Cambodian People's Party and was elected to represent Siem Reap Province in the National Assembly of Cambodia in the 2003 elections. He was succeeded as defence minister by his eldest son Tea Seiha. Tea Banh was elevated to the rank of five-star general in the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces by King Norodom Sihamoni in 2025.

Personal life

Banh, whose birth name was "Tea Sangvan" later changed to Thai name, Sangvan Hin-kling (Thai: สังวาลย์ หินกลิ้ง) and "Tea Banh" in last, is of Sino-Thai descent. His father, a Thai-Chinese, was named Tea Toek (Thai: เต็ก; RTGS:Tek) and his mother Nou Peng Chenda (Thai: หนู เพ่งจินดา; RTGS:Nu Phengchinda), was an ethnic Thai. Banh married Tao Toeun (Thai: เตือนใจ ธรรมเกษร; RTGS:Tueanchai Thamma-keson), who is also an ethnic Thai, in 1975[citation needed]. They have three children, including Tea Seiha (also spelt Tea Seyha), the current Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence National Defence, and former governor of Siem Reap province. Banh's brother Tea Vinh is the commander of the Royal Cambodian Navy.

Sports Management

Tea Banh was Chairman of the National Organizing Committee for the 32nd SEA Games. In 2023, Kun Khmer was added to the Southeast Asian Games Federation's charter and rules. Deputy Prime Minister Tea Banh stated that he was proud that the Southeast Asian Games officially recognized the Cambodian martial art of Kun Khmer and he worked hard to show Kun Khmer's international potential.

Honours