Guillaume Taing: For attentive and compassionate listening, a candidate serving the French community in Cambodia
- La Rédaction
- 8 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Born in the suburbs of Bordeaux and raised in the Paris region, Guillaume Taing obtained his PhD in chemistry in 2019 before seizing, in 2021, a professional opportunity that led him to settle in Phnom Penh.
An R&D chemist for a local spa and cosmetics company, he quickly became involved in the life of the French community, notably through science outreach workshops and university seminars. Franco-Khmer, he understands from within the realities of expatriation in Cambodia and the richness—as well as the challenges—of a binational heritage.
Driven by the desire to make the daily lives of his fellow citizens smoother, safer, and more fulfilling, he is now running on the list Français au Cambodge, Plus Forts Ensemble! led by Florian Bohême.
Can you introduce yourself in a few words—your background, your education, and your personal story?
I was born in the suburbs of Bordeaux, and my family quickly moved to the Paris region, where I lived and studied until the end of my undergraduate degree. I completed my studies between Hauts-de-France and Orléans, where I obtained my PhD in chemistry in 2019. A year and a half later, a professional opportunity arose in Cambodia, and after just two months, I found myself settled in Phnom Penh!
I currently work as an R&D chemist for a local spa and cosmetics company, a position I have held since my arrival in the country in 2021. In the meantime, Cambodia has allowed me to continue developing my interests, particularly in science outreach and education, through discovery workshops open to the general public and university seminars.
Why do you want to represent the French in Cambodia specifically, and not in another country where you could have settled?
I cannot say with certainty that I would not have run in consular elections if it had not been in Cambodia! In fact, I only considered settling in the country when the professional opportunity arose, almost by chance during a conversation.
That said, I have been fortunate to have a smooth expatriation: I practice a profession I am passionate about in a country whose culture and language were already familiar to me. It was therefore naturally easier for me, as both French and Franco-Khmer, to navigate this country and our French community. And if I could help make expatriation easier for the French in Cambodia, it would make me infinitely happy!
Likewise, joining the collective Français au Cambodge, Plus Forts Ensemble! was an obvious choice. Having seen all the work and personal commitment that Florian and the collective have put into serving the French community, it truly became a source of inspiration and motivation for me to engage in this election and help make our fellow citizens’ daily lives smoother, safer, and more fulfilling.
The French community in Cambodia is diverse—entrepreneurs, teachers, retirees, families, young expatriates. How do you plan to represent this diversity?
I wish to embody this diversity naturally through my Cambodian roots, but also through my involvement in education and entrepreneurship. This greatly facilitates listening, empathy, and a sense of belonging. Like many people around me, understanding and navigating a binational heritage is a recurring question that matters deeply to me, and one I want to share and put to use.
Above all, however, this candidacy represents a group made up of women and men with very different backgrounds and stages of life. Our list brings together members with strong experience in social and educational issues, mothers of Franco-Asian children who understand the challenges of multiculturalism, and active members of the local professional community.
This diversity is represented collectively—it is undeniably a strength. Let us remember, however, that we are above all voting for representatives capable of listening and taking concrete action in service of the French community. Within our collective, we aim to help all French people in Cambodia, regardless of their backgrounds and concerns!
In conclusion
We will continue to be stronger together thanks to committed and supportive representatives—representatives who listen, who will continue to communicate and support you beyond the elections. And to achieve this, your voice matters: express it through your ballot in the upcoming consular elections!