{{Short description|Cambodian honorific}} {{Italic title}} '''''Samdech''''' ({{langx|km|សម្តេច}}, UNGEGN: {{transliteration|km|Sâmdéch}}, ALA-LC: {{Transliteration|km|Samṭec}} {{IPA|km|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".<ref name="rfa">{{cite web|url=https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/in-a-title-fight-05122016154401.html|title=In a Title Fight, Phnom Penh Orders the Press to Use 'Samdech' for Top Government Officials|work=Radio Free Asia|date=12 May 2016|accessdate=27 June 2020}}</ref> 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").<ref name=guardian>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/12/cambodian-media-prime-minister-hun-sen-full-royal-title|title=Welcome, Lord Prime Minister: Cambodian media told to use leader's full royal title|newspaper=The Guardian|date=12 May 2016|accessdate=27 June 2020}}</ref> Some members of the royal family and religious leaders also have "''Samdech''" as part of their title.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://asean.org/?static_post=statement-by-his-royal-highness-samdech-krom-preah-norodom-ranariddh-the-first-prime-minister-of-kingdom-of-cambodia|title=Statement by His Royal Highness Samdech Krom Preah Norodom Ranariddh The First Prime Minister of Kingdom of Cambodia|website=asean.org|accessdate=27 June 2020}}</ref><ref name=post>{{cite web|url=https://www.phnompenhpost.com/post-plus/chuon-nath-guardian-cambodian-culture|title=Chuon Nath: Guardian of Cambodian culture|work=Phnom Penh Post|date=8 April 2011}}</ref> In July 2016, the government ordered the media to use leaders' full titles.<ref name=rfa/>
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.<ref name=cdaily/>
==Known recipients==
===Monarchs=== {| class="wikitable" |- !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=== {| class="wikitable" |- !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=== {| class="wikitable" |- !Name !Position !Full title !Ref |- |Non Nget |Great Supreme Patriarch of Cambodia |''Samdech Preah Agga Mahā Sangharājādhipati'' |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501605723/king-appoints-venerable-non-nget-as-great-supreme-patriarch/|title=King appoints Venerable Non Nget as Great Supreme Patriarch|date=10 December 2024}}</ref> |- |Bour Kry |Great Supreme Patriarch of Dhammayuttika Nikaya of Cambodia |''Samdech Preah Abhisiri Sugandha Mahasangharajadhipati'' |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pressocm.gov.kh/en/archives/48716|title=His Holiness Samdech Bour Kry Receives Vietnamese President|website=pressocm.gov.kh|date=26 February 2019}}</ref> |- |Am Limheng |President of Sangha Judicial Council of Mohanikaya Sect and President of Sangha Judicial Council Kingdom of Cambodia |''Samdech Preah Maha Sumedhādhipatī Kittipundit'' |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cpp.org.kh/en/details/374327|title=Samdech Thipadei Prime Minister and First Lady Celebrate Annual Visak Bochea Day at Oudong|date=22 May 2024}}</ref> |- |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'' |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kh.cc-times.com/posts/21663|title=Samdech Preah Podhivaing Kittipundit Noy Jrek}}</ref> |- |Moung Ra |Second Vice President of Sangha Judicial Council of Mohanikaya Sect and President of Sangha Judicial Council Kingdom of Cambodia |''Samdech Preah Vornaroth'' |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kh.cc-times.com/posts/21663|title=Samdech Preah Vornaroth Moung Ra}}</ref> |- |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'' |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kh.cc-times.com/posts/21663|title=Samdech Preah Puth Cheymoni Khem Sorn}}</ref> |}
===Politicians=== {| class="wikitable" |- !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'' |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36283619|title=Cambodia PM 'must be called Lord PM and Supreme Military Commander'|access-date=13 May 2016}}</ref> |- |Khuon Sodary |President of the National Assembly |''Samdech Moha Roatsapheathika Thipadei'' |<ref name="Khmer Times">{{Cite web|url=https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501353558/prime-minister-hun-manet-granted-the-title-samdech/|title=Prime Minister Hun Manet granted the title "Samdech"|work=Khmer Times|date=3 September 2023|accessdate=3 September 2023}}</ref> |- |Hun Manet |Prime Minister of Cambodia |''Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei'' |<ref name="Khmer Times"/> |- |Kuy Sophal |Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Royal Palace |''Samdech Mahamontrei'' |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501552102/kuy-sophal-receives-new-title-and-position-at-royal-palace/#google_vignette.|title=Kuy Sophal receives new title and position at Royal Palace}}</ref> |- |Heng Samrin |Honorary President of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the King |''Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrey'' |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mfaic.gov.kh/posts/post-19692|title=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.|website=mfaic.gov.kh|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation|date=20 July 2018}}</ref> |- |Say Chhum |Member of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the King |''Samdech Vibol Sena Pheakdey'' |<ref name=samdech2>{{Cite web|url=https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/samdech-titles-given-chhum-and-kheng|title='Samdech' titles given to Chhum and Kheng|work=Phnom Penh Post|date=15 June 2015}}</ref> |- |Sar Kheng |Member of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the King |''Samdech Kralahom'' |<ref name=samdech2/> |- |Tea Banh |Member of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the King |''Samdech Pichey Sena'' |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/defence-minister-tea-banh-gets-samdech-honorific|title=Defence Minister Tea Banh gets 'Samdech' honorific|work=Phnom Penh Post|date=31 July 2017}}</ref> |- |Men Sam An |Member of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the King |''Samdech Kittisangahabandit'' |<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.en.freshnewsasia.com/index.php/en/localnews/35725-2023-04-08-09-08-52.html|title=Cambodia's King Conferred the Title Samdech Kittisangha Bandit to Minister of National Assembly-Senate Relation|access-date=8 April 2023}}</ref> |- |Keat Chhon |Former Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Finance |''Samdech Sedthavithu Pheakdei'' |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501855055/king-bestows-honorary-title-on-keat-chhon/|title=King bestows honorary title on Keat Chhon|work=Khmer Times|date=3 March 2026|accessdate=3 March 2026}}</ref> |- |Hor Namhong |Member of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the King |''Samdech Issara Wites Panha'' |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501690870/hor-namhong-receives-highest-honorary-title-from-king/|title=Cambodia's King Conferred the Title Samdech Issara Wites Panha to Hor Namhong}}</ref> |- |Bun Rany |President of the Cambodian Red Cross |''Samdech Kittiprittbandit'' |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/new-title-pm’s-wife|title=New title for PM’s wife|access-date=9 May 2013}}</ref> |- |Sao Ty |Wife of Samdech Chakrey Hang Samrin |''Samdech Thamavisutha Vongsa'' |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.khmertimeskh.com/683918/sao-ty-receives-honorary-samdech-title-for-national-contribution/|title=Sao Ty receives honorary Samdech title for national contribution|access-date=27 January 2020}}</ref> |- |Chea Sim |Former President of the Senate |''Samdech Akka Moha Thomma Pothisal'' |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mofa.go.jp/press/release/press4e_000771.html|title=Passing of Former President of the Senate of Cambodia Samdech Chea Sim|website=mofa.go.jp|date=9 June 2015}}</ref> |- |Sok An |Former Deputy Prime Minister, Minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers |''Samdech Vibol Panha'' |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pressocm.gov.kh/en/archives/1129|title=H.E. Sok An Awarded the Title of "Samdech Vibol Panha"|website=pressocm.gov.kh|date=14 March 2017}}</ref> |- |Kong Sam Ol |Former Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Royal Palace |''Samdech Chaufea Veang Vorakveangchey Athippadey Sroengkea'' |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tourismcambodia.com/news/localnews/17558/samdech-chaufea-veang-kong-sam-ol-holds-a-religious-ceremony-to-celebrate-king%E2%80%99s-birthday.htm|title=Samdech Chaufea Veang Kong Sam Ol Holds a Religious Ceremony to Celebrate King's Birthday|work=Tourism Cambodia|date=14 May 2015}}</ref> |- |Hun Neng |Former Member of National Assembly |''Samdech Oudom Tep Nhean'' |<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.en.freshnewsasia.com/index.php/en/localnews/29419-2022-05-07-12-45-24.html|title=Hun Neng Appointed as "Samdech Oudom Tep Nhean"|publisher=Fresh News|date=7 May 2022}}</ref> |- |Son Sann |Former Prime Minister of Cambodia |''Samdech Borvor Setha Thipadei'' |<ref name=cdaily>{{cite web|url=https://english.cambodiadaily.com/news/if-a-republican-can-be-a-samdech-why-not-cpp%E2%80%88leaders-86083/|title=If a Republican Can Be a Samdech, Why Not CPP Leaders?|work=The Cambodia Daily|date=22 June 2015}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> |- |Nhiek Tioulong |Former Prime Minister of Cambodia |''Samdech Chakrey Konhchara Thipadei'' |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/obituary-samdech-chakrey-nhiek-tioulong-1908-96|title=Obituary: Samdech Chakrey Nhiek Tioulong 1908–96|work=Phnom Penh Post|date=14 June 1996}}</ref> |- |Penn Nouth |Former Prime Minister of Cambodia |''Samdech'' |<ref name=cdaily/> |- |Chau Sen Cocsal Chhum |Former Prime Minister of Cambodia |''Samdech'' |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lepetitjournal.com/cambodge/disparition-samdech-chau-sen-cocsal-ancien-premier-ministre-129472|title=Samdech Chau Sen Cocsal, ancien Premier ministre|work=Le Petit Journal Cambodge|date=26 January 2009}}</ref> |- |}
==See also== {{Wiktionary|ឧកញ៉ា}} *Supreme Patriarch of Cambodia *Social class in Cambodia *Lord *Samdech Euv (disambiguation)
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Honorifics Category:Honorary titles Category:Khmer nobility Category:Noble titles Category:Politics of Cambodia