Samdech
Samdech (Khmer: សម្តេច, UNGEGN: Sâmdéch, ALA-LC: Samṭec [sɑmɗac]) is a Cambodian honorific bestowed by the King of Cambodia to individuals deemed to have made significant contributions to the nation. It roughly translates as "lord". It is often accompanied by a longer title; for instance, Prime Minister Hun Sen's full title is Samțec Aggamahasenāpațītejo Hun Sen or also called (Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen) (meaning "Lord Supreme Military Commander Hun Sen"). Some members of the royal family and religious leaders also have "Samdech" as part of their title. In July 2016, the government ordered the media to use leaders' full titles. The title used to be a rarity as under King Norodom Sihanouk's first reign (1941–1955), only four politicians had received the title including Penn Nouth, Nhiek Tioulong, Son Sann, and Chau Sen Cocsal Chhum, all of whom have served as prime minister.
Samdech (Khmer: សម្តេច, UNGEGN: Sâmdéch, ALA-LC: Samṭec [sɑmɗac]) is a Cambodian honorific bestowed by the King of Cambodia to individuals deemed to have made significant contributions to the nation. It roughly translates as "lord".[1] It is often accompanied by a longer title; for instance, Prime Minister Hun Sen's full title is Samțec Aggamahasenāpațītejo Hun Sen or also called (Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen) (meaning "Lord Supreme Military Commander Hun Sen").[2] Some members of the royal family and religious leaders also have "Samdech" as part of their title.[3][4] In July 2016, the government ordered the media to use leaders' full titles.[1]
The title used to be a rarity as under King Norodom Sihanouk's first reign (1941–1955), only four politicians had received the title including Penn Nouth, Nhiek Tioulong, Son Sann, and Chau Sen Cocsal Chhum, all of whom have served as prime minister.[5]
Known recipients
[edit]Monarchs
[edit]| Name | Position | Full title |
|---|---|---|
| Norodom Sihamoni | King of Cambodia | Preah Karuna Preah Bat Samdech Preah Baromneath |
| Norodom Sihanouk | King Father of Cambodia | Preah Karuna Preah Bat Samdech Preah |
| Norodom Monineath | Queen Mother of Cambodia | Samdech Preah Mahaksatrey |
Royalty
[edit]| Name | Position | Full title |
|---|---|---|
| Norodom Buppha Devi | Princess of Cambodia | Samdech Reach Botrei Preah Ream |
| Norodom Yuvaneath | Prince of Cambodia | Samdech Preah Boromreamea |
| Norodom Ranariddh | Prince of Cambodia | Samdech Krom Preah |
| Norodom Chakrapong | Prince of Cambodia | Samdech Krom Preah |
| Norodom Arunrasmy | Princess of Cambodia | Samdech Reach Botrei Preah Anoch |
| Sisowath Pongneary Monipong | Princess of Cambodia | Samdech |
| Norodom Vichara | Princess of Cambodia | Samdech |
| Norodom Sirivudh | Prince of Cambodia | Samdech |
| Norodom Preysophon | Prince of Cambodia | Sdech Krom Khun |
Religious leaders
[edit]| Name | Position | Full title | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non Nget | Great Supreme Patriarch of Cambodia | Samdech Preah Agga Mahā Sangharājādhipati | [6] |
| Bour Kry | Great Supreme Patriarch of Dhammayuttika Nikaya of Cambodia | Samdech Preah Abhisiri Sugandha Mahasangharajadhipati | [7] |
| Am Limheng | President of Sangha Judicial Council of Mohanikaya Sect and President of Sangha Judicial Council Kingdom of Cambodia | Samdech Preah Maha Sumedhādhipatī Kittipundit | [8] |
| Noy Jrek | First Vice President of Sangha Judicial Council of Mohanikaya Sect and President of Sangha Judicial Council Kingdom of Cambodia | Samdech Preah Podhivaing Kittipundit | [9] |
| Moung Ra | Second Vice President of Sangha Judicial Council of Mohanikaya Sect and President of Sangha Judicial Council Kingdom of Cambodia | Samdech Preah Vornaroth | [10] |
| Khem Sorn | Third Vice President of Sangha Judicial Council of Mohanikaya Sect and President of Sangha Judicial Council Kingdom of Cambodia | Samdech Preah Puth Cheymoni | [11] |
Politicians
[edit]See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "In a Title Fight, Phnom Penh Orders the Press to Use 'Samdech' for Top Government Officials". Radio Free Asia. 12 May 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
- ^ "Welcome, Lord Prime Minister: Cambodian media told to use leader's full royal title". The Guardian. 12 May 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
- ^ "Statement by His Royal Highness Samdech Krom Preah Norodom Ranariddh The First Prime Minister of Kingdom of Cambodia". asean.org. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
- ^ "Chuon Nath: Guardian of Cambodian culture". Phnom Penh Post. 8 April 2011.
- ^ a b c "If a Republican Can Be a Samdech, Why Not CPP Leaders?". The Cambodia Daily. 22 June 2015.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "King appoints Venerable Non Nget as Great Supreme Patriarch". 10 December 2024.
- ^ "His Holiness Samdech Bour Kry Receives Vietnamese President". pressocm.gov.kh. 26 February 2019.
- ^ "Samdech Thipadei Prime Minister and First Lady Celebrate Annual Visak Bochea Day at Oudong". 22 May 2024.
- ^ "Samdech Preah Podhivaing Kittipundit Noy Jrek".
- ^ "Samdech Preah Vornaroth Moung Ra".
- ^ "Samdech Preah Puth Cheymoni Khem Sorn".
- ^ "Cambodia PM 'must be called Lord PM and Supreme Military Commander'". Retrieved 13 May 2016.
- ^ a b "Prime Minister Hun Manet granted the title "Samdech"". Khmer Times. 3 September 2023. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
- ^ "Kuy Sophal receives new title and position at Royal Palace".
- ^ "Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei HENG SAMRIN sent a congratulating letter to H.E. Mr. Li Zhanshu, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cambodia and China". mfaic.gov.kh. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. 20 July 2018.
- ^ a b "'Samdech' titles given to Chhum and Kheng". Phnom Penh Post. 15 June 2015.
- ^ "Defence Minister Tea Banh gets 'Samdech' honorific". Phnom Penh Post. 31 July 2017.
- ^ "Cambodia's King Conferred the Title Samdech Kittisangha Bandit to Minister of National Assembly-Senate Relation". Retrieved 8 April 2023.
- ^ "King bestows honorary title on Keat Chhon". Khmer Times. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Cambodia's King Conferred the Title Samdech Issara Wites Panha to Hor Namhong".
- ^ "New title for PM's wife". Retrieved 9 May 2013.
- ^ "Sao Ty receives honorary Samdech title for national contribution". Retrieved 27 January 2020.
- ^ "Passing of Former President of the Senate of Cambodia Samdech Chea Sim". mofa.go.jp. 9 June 2015.
- ^ "H.E. Sok An Awarded the Title of "Samdech Vibol Panha"". pressocm.gov.kh. 14 March 2017.
- ^ "Samdech Chaufea Veang Kong Sam Ol Holds a Religious Ceremony to Celebrate King's Birthday". Tourism Cambodia. 14 May 2015.
- ^ "Hun Neng Appointed as "Samdech Oudom Tep Nhean"". Fresh News. 7 May 2022.
- ^ "Obituary: Samdech Chakrey Nhiek Tioulong 1908–96". Phnom Penh Post. 14 June 1996.
- ^ "Samdech Chau Sen Cocsal, ancien Premier ministre". Le Petit Journal Cambodge. 26 January 2009.