Orders, decorations, and medals of Cambodia

Cambodian honors system consists of a number of orders, decorations and medals through which the country's sovereign awards its citizens for actions or deeds that benefit the nation. The modern system was established under Colonial French Rule and continued with modification after independence until the fall of the Khmer Republic on 17 April 1975. The current system was reinstated on 5 October 1995 by the Decree for the Establishment and Use of Decorations of Honor of the Kingdom of Cambodia No. 1095/01. The system includes an array of awards, both civil and military, for gallantry, bravery, distinguished service, meritorious service and long service. Various campaign and commemorative medals have also been struck.

History

The Cambodian honors system is based on European/French models. Many of the honors are orders of chivalry granted by royal decree or sub-decree. This system was established under Colonial French Rule and continued with modification after independence until the fall of the Khmer Republic on 17 April 1975. The current system was reinstated on 5 October 1995 by the Decree for the Establishment and Use of Decorations of Honor of the Kingdom of Cambodia No. 1095/01. Many of the modern awards have origins from Cambodia's period as a French colony or under the Kingdom of Cambodia under the rule of King Norodom Sihanouk.

Nominating for awards

Under the current system, candidates are nominated by government ministries through a Decoration of Honor Candidate Qualification Review Committee.^[1] These committees refer nominations, with justification, to the Council of Ministers for a decision.

Categories of honors and awards

As established by Royal Decree, the hierarchy of decorations of honors are:^[2]

Awards for National and Motherland Defense

(์old version)	(์new version)
		Knight Grand Cross
		Knight Grand Officer
		Knight Commander
		Knight Officer
		Knight or Chevalier

National Independence Medal

Royal Household Awards

Medal of the Crown
Medal of Norodom I
Medal of Sisowath I
Medal of Norodom Sihanouk
Medal of Norodom Suramarit
Anussara Medal of Royal Remembrance

Medals of National Defense

Sena Jayaseddh Medal
Medal of National Defense
- with gold stars
- with silver stars
- with bronze stars

Multi-Category

Royal Order of H.M. The Queen Preah Kossomak Nearireath
- Grand Cross
- Grand Officer
- Commander
- Officer
- Knight

Royal Order of Sahametrei
- Grand Cross
- Grand Officer
- Commander
- Officer
- Knight

Royal Order of Sowathara

(์old version)	(์new version)
		Knight Grand Cross
		Knight Grand Officer
		Commander
		Officer
		Knight

Royal Order of Monisaraphon
- Grand Cross
- Grand Officer
- Commander
- Officer
- Knight
Medal of Labour
Decoration of National Construction
Khemara Kelarith Sports Medal
- With Gold Stars
- With Silver Stars
- With Bronze Stars
Order of Satrei Vathana (Feminine Merit)
- First Class
- Second Class
- Third Class

References

^ Geoffrey Oldham & Brett Delahunt (2004). "Cambodian Decorations of Honor". Milymen Books. ISBN 9780473097998.
^ King Norodom Sihanouk (5 October 1995), Royal Decree for the Establishment and Use of Decorations of Honor of the Kingdom of Cambodia No. 1095/01, Kingdom of Cambodia.

External links

[r1-1] Geoffrey Oldham & Brett Delahunt (2004). "Cambodian Decorations of Honor". Milymen Books. ISBN 9780473097998.

[r2-2] King Norodom Sihanouk (5 October 1995), Royal Decree for the Establishment and Use of Decorations of Honor of the Kingdom of Cambodia No. 1095/01, Kingdom of Cambodia.

[1]

[2]