At a medal presentation ceremony at the Royal Gendarmerie Training Centre, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet promised to go even further. He announced the introduction of mandatory mobilization into the country. This resolution goes into effect starting in 2026. It would be the biggest change in the nation’s defense policy in decades, and its goal is to help keep a steady stream of trained recruits flowing into the military. This dramatic step comes as a response to escalating border strife with Thailand. It comes on the heels of a deadly clash between Cambodian and Thai troops.
In his speech, Hun Manet stressed the need to bolster Cambodia’s military force. He said the country needs to be ready to protect its borders. “Our national defence, the building of our military, is not to invade anybody’s territory but it is to protect our territory,” he affirmed. This declaration marks an important step toward the government’s guarantee of protecting national sovereignty in times of rising regional uncertainties.
Details of the Military Conscription Law
Since 2021, the Military Conscription Law requires Cambodian men ages 18 to 30 to serve in Cambodia’s military for at least 18 months. This law, as it stands today, was first passed in 2006. This law had never been enforced—until now. The government has landed on requiring compulsory military service. This is a significant departure in its strategy to bolster its defense forces.
Hun Manet’s announcement follows an unprecedented escalation in Cambodia-Thailand tensions including the active deployment of troops and tanks. In May, an unarmed Cambodian soldier was senselessly shot and killed in a crossfire involving Thai troops. This major event took place in the contested Emerald Triangle area. This border region is one of immense strategic significance, where the borders of Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos intersect. Since May, relations between Phnom Penh and Bangkok have soured even further, escalating fears over national security.
Implications for Defense Budget and Military Reform
Along with the announcement of the return of compulsory military service, Hun Manet promised to “consider increasing” Cambodia’s defense budget. This commitment is a signal of a larger move toward a more aggressive strategy to augment military readiness and capability.
“This episode of confrontation is a lesson for us and is an opportunity for us to review, assess, and set our targets to reform our military,” he remarked during the ceremony. The Prime Minister’s comments highlight a forward-looking approach to defence reform and readiness in the face of external threats.
Instead, the military is just a war-fighting apparatus and the government is not considering keeping its military ready for all kinds of conflicts. Simultaneously, it seeks to promote holistic civic responsibility among Cambodian people—especially youth—regarding national defense. By passing this law, they want to make the military more powerful. They want a military that’s better suited for effectively fighting tomorrow’s wars.
