Samdech (, UNGEGN: , ALA-LC: ) 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". It is often accompanied by a longer title; for instance, Prime Minister Hun Sen's full title is Samṭec Aggamahasenāpaṭītejo Hun Sen or also called ( សម្តេច អគ្គមហាសេនាបតី តេជោ ហ៊ុន សែន meaning "Lord Supreme Military Commander Hun Sen"). Some members of the royal family and religious leaders also have "Samdech" as part of their title. In July 2016, the government ordered the media to use leaders' full titles.
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.
Known recipients
Monarchs NamePositionFull titleNorodom SihamoniKing of CambodiaPreah Karuna Preah Bat Samdech Preah BaromneathNorodom Sihanouk King Father of CambodiaPreah Karuna Preah Bat Samdech PreahNorodom Monineath Queen Mother of CambodiaSamdech Preah Mahaksatrey
Royalty NamePositionFull titleNorodom Buppha DeviPrincess of CambodiaSamdech Reach Botrei Preah ReamNorodom YuvaneathPrince of CambodiaSamdech Preah BoromreameaNorodom RanariddhPrince of CambodiaSamdech Krom PreahNorodom ChakrapongPrince of CambodiaSamdech Krom PreahNorodom ArunrasmyPrincess of CambodiaSamdech Reach Botrei Preah AnochSisowath Pongneary MonipongPrincess of CambodiaSamdechNorodom VicharaPrincess of CambodiaSamdechNorodom SirivudhPrince of CambodiaSamdechNorodom PreysophonPrince of CambodiaSdech Krom Khun
Religious leaders NamePositionFull titleRefNon NgetGreat Supreme Patriarch of Cambodia Samdech Preah Agga Mahā SangharājādhipatiBour KryGreat Supreme Patriarch of Dhammayuttika Nikaya of CambodiaSamdech Preah Abhisiri Sugandha MahasangharajadhipatiAm LimhengPresident of Sangha Judicial Council of Mohanikaya Sect and President of Sangha Judicial Council Kingdom of CambodiaSamdech Preah Maha Sumedhādhipatī KittipunditNoy JrekFirst Vice President of Sangha Judicial Council of Mohanikaya Sect and President of Sangha Judicial Council Kingdom of CambodiaSamdech Preah Podhivaing KittipunditMoung RaSecond Vice President of Sangha Judicial Council of Mohanikaya Sect and President of Sangha Judicial Council Kingdom of CambodiaSamdech Preah VornarothKhem SornThird Vice President of Sangha Judicial Council of Mohanikaya Sect and President of Sangha Judicial Council Kingdom of CambodiaSamdech Preah Puth Cheymoni
Politicians NamePositionFull titleRef Hun SenPresident of the Senate President of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the KingSamdech Akka Moha Sena Padei TechoKhuon SodaryPresident of the National AssemblySamdech Moha Roatsapheathika ThipadeiHun ManetPrime Minister of CambodiaSamdech Moha Borvor ThipadeiKuy SophalDeputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Royal PalaceSamdech MahamontreiHeng Samrin Honorary President of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the KingSamdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrey Say ChhumMember of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the KingSamdech Vibol Sena Pheakdey Sar KhengMember of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the King Samdech KralahomTea BanhMember of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the KingSamdech Pichey SenaMen Sam AnMember of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the KingSamdech KittisangahabanditKeat ChhonFormer Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and FinanceSamdech Sedthavithu PheakdeiHor NamhongMember of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the KingSamdech Issara Wites PanhaBun RanyPresident of the Cambodian Red CrossSamdech KittiprittbanditSao TyWife of Samdech Chakrey Hang SamrinSamdech Thamavisutha VongsaChea Sim Former President of the SenateSamdech Akka Moha Thomma PothisalSok An Former Deputy Prime Minister, Minister in charge of the Office of the Council of MinistersSamdech Vibol PanhaKong Sam OlFormer Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Royal PalaceSamdech Chaufea Veang Vorakveangchey Athippadey SroengkeaHun NengFormer Member of National AssemblySamdech Oudom Tep NheanSon SannFormer Prime Minister of CambodiaSamdech Borvor Setha ThipadeiNhiek TioulongFormer Prime Minister of CambodiaSamdech Chakrey Konhchara ThipadeiPenn NouthFormer Prime Minister of CambodiaSamdechChau Sen Cocsal ChhumFormer Prime Minister of CambodiaSamdech
See also
Supreme Patriarch of Cambodia Social class in Cambodia Lord Samdech Euv (disambiguation)
References