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".^[1] It is often accompanied by a longer title; for instance, Prime Minister Hun Sen's full title is 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

Monarchs

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

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

Name	Position	Full title	Ref
Non Nget	Acting Great Supreme Patriarch of Cambodia	Samdech Preah Maha Sumedhādhipatī	[6]
Bour Kry	Great Supreme Patriarch of Dhammayuttika Nikaya of Cambodia	Samdech Preah Abhisiri Sugandha Mahasangharajadhipati	[7]
Am Limheng	Acting President of Sangha Judicial Council of Mohanikaya Sect and President of Sangha Judicial Council Kingdom of Cambodia	Samdech Preah Podhivaing Kittipundit	[8]

Politicians

Name	Position	Full title	Ref
Hun Sen	President of the Senate President of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the King	Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo	[9]
Khuon Sodary	President of the National Assembly	Samdech Moha Roatsapheathika Thipadei	[10]
Hun Manet	Prime Minister of Cambodia	Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei	[11]
Kuy Sophal	Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Royal Palace	Samdech Moha Montrei	[12]
Heng Samrin	Honorary President of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the King	Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrey	[13]
Say Chhum	Member of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the King	Samdech Vibol Sena Pheakdey	[14]
Sar Kheng	Member of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the King	Samdech Kralahom	[14]
Tea Banh	Member of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the King	Samdech Pichey Sena	[15]
Men Sam An	Member of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the King	Samdech Kittisangahabandit	[16]
Bun Rany	President of the Cambodian Red Cross	Samdech Kittiprittbandit	[17]
Sao Ty	Wife of Samdech Chakrey Hang Samrin	Samdech Thamavisutha Vongsa	[18]
Chea Sim	Former President of the Senate	Samdech Akka Moha Thomma Pothisal	[19]
Sok An	Former Deputy Prime Minister, Minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers	Samdech Vibol Panha	[20]
Kong Sam Ol	Former Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Royal Palace	Samdech Chaufea Veang Vorakveangchey Athippadey Sroengkea	[21]
Hun Neng	Permanent Member of National Assembly	Samdech Oudom Tep Nhean	[22]
Son Sann	Former Prime Minister of Cambodia	Samdech Borvor Setha Thipadei	[5]
Nhiek Tioulong	Former Prime Minister of Cambodia	Samdech Chakrey Konhchara Thipadei	[23]
Penn Nouth	Former Prime Minister of Cambodia	Samdech	[5]
Chau Sen Cocsal Chhum	Former Prime Minister of Cambodia	Samdech	[24]

See also

• Supreme Patriarch of Cambodia
• Social class in Cambodia
• Lord
• Samdech Euv (disambiguation)

References

1. "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.
2. "Welcome, Lord Prime Minister: Cambodian media told to use leader's full royal title". The Guardian. 12 May 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
3. "Statement by His Royal Highness Samdech Krom Preah Norodom Ranariddh The First Prime Minister of Kingdom of Cambodia". asean.org. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
4. "Chuon Nath: Guardian of Cambodian culture". Phnom Penh Post. 8 April 2011.
5. "If a Republican Can Be a Samdech, Why Not CPP Leaders?". The Cambodia Daily. 22 June 2015.
6. "Great Supreme Patriarch". The Phnom Penh Post. 15 December 2006.
7. "His Holiness Samdech Bour Kry Receives Vietnamese President". pressocm.gov.kh. 26 February 2019.
8. "Samdech Thipadei Prime Minister and First Lady Celebrate Annual Visak Bochea Day at Oudong". 22 May 2024.
9. "Cambodia PM 'must be called Lord PM and Supreme Military Commander'". Retrieved 13 May 2016.
10. "Prime Minister Hun Manet granted the title "Samdech"". Khmer Times. 3 September 2023. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
11. "Prime Minister Hun Manet granted the title "Samdech"". Khmer Times. 3 September 2023. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
12. "Kuy Sophal receives new title and position at Royal Palace - Khmer Times (2024) Khmer Times - Insight into Cambodia". Retrieved 2 September 2024.
13. "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.
14. "'Samdech' titles given to Chhum and Kheng". Phnom Penh Post. 15 June 2015.
15. "Defence Minister Tea Banh gets 'Samdech' honorific". Phnom Penh Post. 31 July 2017.
16. "Cambodia's King Conferred the Title Samdech Kittisangha Bandit to Minister of National Assembly-Senate Relation". Retrieved 8 April 2023.
17. "New title for PM's wife". Retrieved 9 May 2013.
18. "Sao Ty receives honorary Samdech title for national contribution". Retrieved 27 January 2020.
19. "Passing of Former President of the Senate of Cambodia Samdech Chea Sim". mofa.go.jp. 9 June 2015.
20. "H.E. Sok An Awarded the Title of "Samdech Vibol Panha"". pressocm.gov.kh. 14 March 2017.
21. "Samdech Chaufea Veang Kong Sam Ol Holds a Religious Ceremony to Celebrate King's Birthday". Tourism Cambodia. 14 May 2015.
22. "Hun Neng Appointed as "Samdech Oudom Tep Nhean"". Fresh News. 7 May 2022.
23. "Obituary: Samdech Chakrey Nhiek Tioulong 1908–96". Phnom Penh Post. 14 June 1996.
24. "Samdech Chau Sen Cocsal, ancien Premier ministre". Le Petit Journal Cambodge. 26 January 2009.