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 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

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	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

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	[12]
Khuon Sodary	President of the National Assembly	Samdech Moha Roatsapheathika Thipadei	[13]
Hun Manet	Prime Minister of Cambodia	Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei	[13]
Kuy Sophal	Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Royal Palace	Samdech Moha Montrei	[14]
Heng Samrin	Honorary President of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the King	Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrey	[15]
Say Chhum	Member of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the King	Samdech Vibol Sena Pheakdey	[16]
Sar Kheng	Member of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the King	Samdech Kralahom	[16]
Tea Banh	Member of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the King	Samdech Pichey Sena	[17]
Men Sam An	Member of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the King	Samdech Kittisangahabandit	[18]
Bun Rany	President of the Cambodian Red Cross	Samdech Kittiprittbandit	[19]
Sao Ty	Wife of Samdech Chakrey Hang Samrin	Samdech Thamavisutha Vongsa	[20]
Chea Sim	Former President of the Senate	Samdech Akka Moha Thomma Pothisal	[21]
Sok An	Former Deputy Prime Minister, Minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers	Samdech Vibol Panha	[22]
Kong Sam Ol	Former Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Royal Palace	Samdech Chaufea Veang Vorakveangchey Athippadey Sroengkea	[23]
Hun Neng	Permanent Member of National Assembly	Samdech Oudom Tep Nhean	[24]
Son Sann	Former Prime Minister of Cambodia	Samdech Borvor Setha Thipadei	[5]
Nhiek Tioulong	Former Prime Minister of Cambodia	Samdech Chakrey Konhchara Thipadei	[25]
Penn Nouth	Former Prime Minister of Cambodia	Samdech	[5]
Chau Sen Cocsal Chhum	Former Prime Minister of Cambodia	Samdech	[26]

See also

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