Tea Banh Endorses Military Draft Aligned With Current Situation
Tea Banh Endorses Military Draft Aligned With Current Situation
PHNOM PENH, April 28, 2026 — Cambodia’s former defence minister Tea Banh has expressed support for implementing mandatory military service, saying the move should be carried out in line with evolving national conditions.
Speaking to local media, Tea Banh said the conscription law had existed for years but had not been fully enforced, as authorities previously relied mainly on voluntary enlistment.
He said recent developments had made it necessary to activate the law, in line with guidance from Prime Minister Hun Manet, with implementation expected in the coming years.
Cambodia’s cabinet approved a draft law on military service on April 23, which will be submitted to the National Assembly after revisions.
The proposed legislation, comprising eight chapters and 20 articles, aims to enforce Article 49 of the constitution and requires eligible citizens to serve based on annual military needs, potentially through a lottery system.
Tea Banh said the policy would help raise awareness among citizens, particularly young people, about their duty to contribute to national defence.
Under the plan, recruits would undergo 24 months of training, receiving instruction in discipline, ethics and teamwork, while being provided with accommodation, food, healthcare and allowances, but not a formal salary.
Officials say the programme is intended to strengthen human resources and national resilience, while ensuring legal clarity in the implementation of military service obligations.
