Doee the title "Samdech" is for the Royal Family? When I heard a news from Cambodia, I heard PM Hunsen use the title Samdech. Could anyone explain the Honorary system in Cambodia?

I know in Thailand we have some influence from the old Khmer Empire. The title Samdech we use only for the Royal family and very high ranking Buddhist Monk. I wondering if someone enlighten me about the title system in Cambodia.

In Cambodia, anybody can have the title "Somdach" if you are loaded with $$$. I am Somdach Camcode .

For the "achievements" that Hun Sen accoplished, former King Sihanouk gave him the title. But it doesn't mean that Hun Sen is equivalent to King Sihamoni today. King Sihamoni's title is Preah Karona Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni. In shorten form, one could just say Preah Bat Sihamoni. Hun Sen could never be reffered to as 'Preah Bat.' He is just Samdech Hun Sen.

Khmer royal titles are very complex. Samdech is given to very high officials in Cambodia. Samdech is also given to great monks in Cambodia (e.g. Samdech Chuon Nath is highly respected for the things that he did and there is even a holiday for him). Today, it could be compared to the term 'knight' in England, however it is not given out as much.

It should not be confused with 'Sdech' which means the king. Non-royals cannot be called 'Sdech.'

Here are some royal titles: http://www.4dw.net/royalark/Cambodia/glossary.htm

By the way, Khmer also derive some terms from Thai too, such as Fa (or Fea) and Chau. Like in Chau Fa.

a lot of those titles are so specific!

It is sad that in today's Cambodia even illiterate peasants such hun sen can achieve the title "Samdech".

Thanks you very much,Dara.
I think ASEAN country should learn each other like EU. So I'm very happy to learn about the culture of the others country.

Thailand have more influence from Khmer Empire. The Royal Languague is heavily draw from Khmer Empire. Before we get the influence from Khmer Empire. The status of the King as the father of all citizen in his kingdom. After the royal court recieve the Khmer Empire style. The King status change to be like a god. That is in Ayuthaya Empire. I assume after the Khmer Empre collapsed, the civilization center in this region moved from Khmer Empire capital to Ayuthaya capital at that time.

Many country in EU had been fight in the Major war, many death, town had been burn, kingdom had been destroyed. But they learned to forget the past and live with friendly.

The war in Sount East Asia is not much as War in EU. But why doee people still have some hated from the past. They should learned history for avoid the mistake not for hated.