Thai Phany, the nephew-in-law of Prime Minister Hun Sen who is accused of running two large cockfighting rings, has been removed as a general in the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.

Phany, formerly a one-star brigadier general, was removed by royal decree on December 19, according to a copy of the document released on local media yesterday.

He turned himself in to authorities early last month after police raided his cockfighting arenas in Takeo and Kandal provinces, apparently under Hun Sen’s orders.

Phany, who is a Cambodian-Australian citizen, is married to the daughter of the premier’s brother, Hun San.

Documents found by The Post at Phany’s abandoned Kandal cockfighting ring suggested a network of payments to local politicians, police and journalists that had allowed the illegal gambling operation to operate with impunity.

Phany is the only person involved with the cockfighting ring still facing charges.

Kandal Provincial Court spokesman Tin Sochetra said yesterday that he did not know when Phany’s court date would be. He faces up to five years in prison if convicted on his gambling charges.