Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has announced that the country will begin enforcing its military conscription law starting in 2026. The law, passed in 2006 but never implemented, will now be revised to reflect Cambodia’s current political and social context.
Speaking on July 14 in Kampong Chhnang province during the 32nd anniversary of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces’ elite unit, Hun Manet said the revised law will focus on extending the conscription period to up to 24 months to ensure effective training and readiness of conscripted soldiers.
Hun Manet stated that implementing the law would allow Cambodia to strengthen its troop numbers across all military units and improve the selection process for professional soldiers. He emphasized that enforcement has become necessary, noting that although the law was drafted nearly two decades ago, it has never been put into practice.
The Prime Minister added that once in effect, the law will also give Cambodia the capacity to mobilize trained conscripts to support the professional military during times of national emergency or security threats.
Soeng Senkaruna, head of the Australia-based Khmer Democracy Organization, welcomed the announcement. He said the law should have been implemented long ago, citing continued concerns over neighboring countries allegedly harboring territorial ambitions against Cambodia. He added that conscription could play an important role in strengthening the country’s defense capacity.
The 2006 military service law consists of six chapters and 18 articles. It mandates that all Cambodian citizens, male and female, aged between 18 and 30, are required to serve in the military for 18 months. For women, participation remains voluntary under the principle of personal choice.
The government has not yet detailed when the legal revisions will be finalized or how implementation will be rolled out nationwide.
