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

Look up ឧកញ៉ា in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

References

  1. ^ 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.
  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. ^ a b c "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. ^ a b "'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.