When revision of the law was first announced months ago, right groups and civilians reacted differently towards this development.
Editor – Southeast Asia Analyst
From 9 to 10 November, the Cambodian defense ministry began training its first batch of military conscripts in garrisons scattered throughout various provinces in the Kingdom. The recruits numbering up to 5 000 are reported to serve conscription for 2 years beginning with a three month long boot camp course. prime minister Hun Manet addressed the recruits on 9th November which also happened to mark Cambodia’s 73rd independence day.
“Do not view this as wasting two years of your life; rather, consider it an investment of two years,” said the army general turned prime minister. The historic intake of recruits comes after the conscription law that passed in 2006 was revised in 2026. Under the law, Cambodian men aged 18 to 25 who are drafted must complete two years of military service, while women may enlist voluntarily. The conscripts will receive physical and tactical training, as well as specialized training in infantry combat, armored warfare, air defense, engineering, intelligence, logistics and other military disciplines. Upon completion they will be enlisted into the reserves, afterward they may apply to become career soldiers or pursue civilian life.
Prime minister Hun Manet address new recruit on 9th November. Source : facebook/ @ministrydefence
During the address, Hun Manet announced other reforms in the armed forces including abolishing District Military Sub-Operation Areas, units previously in charge of routine security and law enforcement, a role which will fall to the police to improve the military’s combat readiness.
When revision of the law was first announced months ago, right groups and civilians reacted differently towards this development. Although nationalistic fervor that viewed conscription as an honourable duty was tangible among the youth, a considerable number of political commentators and sceptics also raised their concerns. “Not just the time. The salary you’d lose — for some of us that’s tens of thousands of dollars we were counting on. The career momentum you spent years building, gone” said an anonymous redditor.
General Tia Seyha inspects new recruits. Source : facebook/ @ministrydefence
Meas Nee, an independent social monitor, urged an investigation into suspicions of corruption to ensure there aren’t “ghost soldiers” on the military payroll, or that the actual number of soldiers available for combat differs from the figures on the roster.
The sudden conscription implementation comes after the deadly conflict that broke out between Cambodia and Thailand that began in mid 2025. Although the governments from each country agreed to a ceasefire, tension and suspicion remains while the final peace deal is yet to be reached and Cambodia still accuses Thailand of occupying its territory. Before the war, lack of immediate threat to the country, financial constraints and surplus in volunteers held back implementation.
Manh Chien Nguyen is a Mainland Southeast Asia columnist for Southeast Asia Analyst, based in Hanoi.
