The Royal Order of Sahametrei (, ) is a

chivalric order An order of chivalry, order of knighthood, chivalric order, or equestrian order is a society, fellowship and college of knights, typically founded during or inspired by the original Catholic military orders of the Crusades ( 1099–1291) and pai ...

conferred by the government of the

Kingdom of Cambodia Cambodia, officially the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country in Southeast Asia on the Indochinese Peninsula. It is bordered by Thailand to the northwest, Laos to the north, and Vietnam to the east, and has a coastline along the Gulf of Thail ...

. The Royal Order of Sahametrei was instituted in three classes on 9 September 1948 and was expanded to five classes on 23 August 1956. The order was not used during the

Khmer Rouge The Khmer Rouge is the name that was popularly given to members of the Communist Party of Kampuchea (CPK), and by extension to Democratic Kampuchea, which ruled Cambodia between 1975 and 1979. The name was coined in the 1960s by Norodom Sihano ...

period and was reinstated on 5 October 1995 by Royal Decree No. 1095/01. It is conferred primarily on foreigners who have rendered distinguished services to the King and to the people of Cambodia, particularly in the field of external relations and diplomatic services or, as a token of friendship. The Royal Order of Sahametrei is part of the Cambodia's honours system which currently includes the

Royal Order of Monisaraphon The Royal Order of Monisaraphon () was founded by King Sisowath of Cambodia on 1 February 1905. It is conferred for accomplishment and outstanding support in the fields of education, arts, science, literacy, or social works. History The Order o ...

, the

Royal Order of Cambodia The Royal Order of Cambodia (, ; ) was a colonial order of chivalry of French Cambodia, and is still in use as an order of chivalry in the present-day Kingdom of Cambodia. History Colonialism On 8 February 1864, the king founded the Royal Orde ...

and the Royal Order of Sowathara. The Grand Cross and Grand Officer is presented as a sash worn over the right shoulder. The Commander class of the Royal Order of Sahametrei is a

neck order A necklet is a type of decoration which is designed to be worn and displayed around a person's neck, rather than hung (draped) from the chest as is the standard practice for displaying most decorations. In the Middle Ages most order's insignia ...

and is suspended from a cravat that is worn around the neck. The badge of the Officer and Knight are worn on the left breast.

History

The Royal Order of Sahametrei was established by King

Norodom Sihanouk Norodom Sihanouk (; 31 October 192215 October 2012) was a member of the House of Norodom, Cambodian royal house who led the country as Monarchy of Cambodia, King, List of heads of state of Cambodia, Chief of State and Prime Minister of Cambodi ...

on September 9, 1948. It was instituted in three classes but expanded on August 23, 1956, to five classes: # KHM Royal Order of Sahametrei - Grand Cross

Maha Sirivudha (មហាសេរីវឌ្ឍន៍) or Grand Cross # KHM Royal Order of Sahametrei - Grand Officer

Mahasena (មហាសេនា) or Grand Officer # KHM Royal Order of Sahametrei - Commander

Tepidin (ធិបឌិន្ទ) or Commander # KHM Royal Order of Sahametrei - Officer

Sena (សេនា) or Officer # KHM Royal Order of Sahametrei - Knight

Askararidha (អស្សឫទ្ធិ) or Knight The order became dormant in 1975 under the government of

Democratic Kampuchea Democratic Kampuchea was the official name of the Cambodian state from 1976 to 1979, under the government of Pol Pot and the Communist Party of Kampuchea (CPK), commonly known as the Khmer Rouge. The Khmer Rouge's capture of the capital Phno ...

. It was reinstituted by Royal Decree No.1095/01 on 5 October 1995 by King Norodom Sihanouk.

Recipients

References

{{reflist Orders, decorations, and medals of Cambodia 1948 establishments in Cambodia Awards established in 1948

History

Recipients

See also

References