Orders, decorations, and medals of Cambodia

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
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
Under the current system, candidates are nominated by government ministries through a Decoration of Honor Candidate Qualification Review Committee. These committees refer nominations, with justification, to the Council of Ministers for a decision.

Categories of honors and awards
As established by Royal Decree, the hierarchy of decorations of honors are:

Awards for National and Motherland Defense

 * KHM Grand Order of National Merit.svg Grand Order of National Merit
 * Royal Order of Cambodia
 * KHM National Independence Medal.svg National Independence Medal

Royal Household Awards

 * KHM Medal of the Crown.svg Medal of the Crown
 * KHM Medal of Norodom I.svg Medal of Norodom I
 * KHM Medal of Sisowath I.svg Medal of Sisowath I
 * KHM Medal of Norodom Sihanouk - gold.svg Medal of Norodom Sihanouk
 * KHM Medal of Norodom Suramarit - gold.svg Medal of Norodom Suramarit
 * KHM Anussara Medal.svg Anussara Medal of Royal Remembrance

Medals of National Defense

 * KHM Sena Jayaseddh Medal (present) BAR.svg Sena Jayaseddh Medal
 * Medal of National Defense
 * KHM National Defence Medal - gold BAR.svg with gold stars
 * KHM National Defence Medal - silver BAR.svg with silver stars
 * KHM National Defence Medal - bronze BAR.svg with bronze stars

Multi-Category

 * Royal Order of H.M. The Queen Preah Kossomak Nearireath
 * KHM Order of Queen Kossomak - Grand Cross.svg Grand Cross
 * KHM Order of Queen Kossomak - Grand Officer.svg Grand Officer
 * KHM Order of Queen Kossomak - Commander.svg Commander
 * KHM Order of Queen Kossomak - Officer.svg Officer
 * KHM Order of Queen Kossomak - Knight.svg Knight


 * Royal Order of Sahametrei
 * KHM Royal Order of Sahametrei - Grand Cross.svg Grand Cross
 * KHM Royal Order of Sahametrei - Grand Officer.svg Grand Officer
 * KHM Royal Order of Sahametrei - Commander.svg Commander
 * KHM Royal Order of Sahametrei - Officer.svg Officer
 * KHM Royal Order of Sahametrei - Knight.svg Knight


 * Royal Order of Sowathara
 * Royal Order of Monisaraphon
 * KHM Royal Order of Monisaraphon - Grand Cross.svg Grand Cross
 * KHM Royal Order of Monisaraphon - Grand Officer.svg Grand Officer
 * KHM Royal Order of Monisaraphon - Commander.svg Commander
 * KHM Royal Order of Monisaraphon - Officer.svg Officer
 * KHM Royal Order of Monisaraphon - Knight.svg Knight
 * KHM Medal of Labour.svg Medal of Labour
 * KHM National Construction Decoration.svg Decoration of National Construction
 * Khemara Kelarith Sports Medal
 * KHM Khemara Kelarith Sports Medal - gold BAR.svg With Gold Stars
 * KHM Khemara Kelarith Sports Medal - silver BAR.svg With Silver Stars
 * KHM Khemara Kelarith Sports Medal - bronze BAR.svg With Bronze Stars
 * Order of Satrei Vathana (Feminine Merit)
 * KHM Order of Feminine Merit - gold BAR.svg First Class
 * KHM Order of Feminine Merit - silver BAR.svg Second Class
 * KHM Order of Feminine Merit - bronze BAR.svg Third Class