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 edit
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 edit
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 edit
As established by Royal Decree, the hierarchy of decorations of honors are:[2]
Awards for National and Motherland Defense edit
Grand Order of National Merit- Royal Order of Cambodia
Knight Grand Cross
Knight Grand Officer
Knight Commander
Knight Officer
Knight or Chevalier
National Independence Medal
Royal Household Awards edit
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 edit
Sena Jayaseddh Medal- Medal of National Defense
with gold stars
with silver stars
with bronze stars
Multi-Category edit
- 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
Grand Cross
Grand Officer
Commander
Officer- Knight
- Royal Order of Monisaraphon
Knight Grand Cross
Knight Grand Officer
Knight Commander
Knight Officer- Knight or Chevalier
Medal of Labour
Decoration of National Construction
Khemara Kelarith Sports Medal
Order of Satrei Vathana (Feminine Merit)
References edit
- ^ 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 edit
