Cambodia is launching full-scale military conscription amid ongoing border tensions with Thailand. The country has overhauled a mandatory service system that existed on paper since 2006 but had never been enforced, requiring two years of military service for men aged 18 to 25.
Men Aged 18-25 to Serve Two Years, Including Dual Citizens
Cambodia's parliament unanimously passed a conscription bill on Wednesday mandating two years of military service for men aged 18 to 25, Xinhua News Agency reported Wednesday. Women are not subject to the mandate but may volunteer.
The legislation is the parliamentary passage of the draft conscription law reported by The Associated Press and others on the 25th of last month. At the time, the Cambodian government said it had prepared the new bill to replace the existing conscription law, which was enacted in 2006 but never actually implemented.
Cambodia was unable to implement mandatory military service after its introduction due to budget shortages and inadequate training facilities. The country has effectively maintained its military on a volunteer basis.
Under the new bill, Cambodian men become subject to military service obligations from ages 18 to 25. The service period is two years.
While the existing law set the mandatory service age limit at 30 with an 18-month service period, the new bill lowers the age range and extends the service period by six months.
After completing service, individuals are enrolled in the reserves until age 45. Monks, clergy, and people with disabilities are exempt. Dual citizens residing in Cambodia are also subject to military service obligations.
Those who evade service can face punishment. Depending on the severity and circumstances of the violation, penalties range from six months to up to five years in prison, along with fines.
Strengthening Defense Amid Border Tensions with Thailand
The push for conscription comes against a backdrop of military tensions with Thailand.
According to The Associated Press, Cambodia and Thailand engaged in armed clashes in July last year that left 28 people dead. In December of the same year, the two sides fought for nearly three weeks before reaching a difficult ceasefire, with about 100 people reportedly killed in both countries and more than 1 million displaced.
The two countries have been embroiled in a territorial dispute for more than a century over portions of an 817-kilometer border that were left undefined when France surveyed the boundary during its colonial rule of Cambodia in 1907.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet stressed the need for conscription, saying, "Obtaining and maintaining peace is not something that can be begged from other countries." He added, "It must come from ourselves. We must become strong on our own."
The Cambodian government also emphasized that "military service is an essential duty and a great honor that allows citizens to contribute to national development and defend the homeland."
Public Reaction Divided: 'Family Livelihood Concerns' vs. 'We Must Prepare'
Opinions among the public, however, are divided.
Tuk-tuk driver Boeun Dara, 25, told Xinhua, "My family is poor, so I worry that if I enlist, my family will face economic hardship."
By contrast, Eng Sirayuth, 18, who studies IT at university, supported the conscription system, saying, "Tensions with neighboring countries are rising, so we must be prepared."
Experts point out that securing trust in military operations matters more than simply implementing the system. Political analyst Ou Virak said, "Military training, chain of command, and military discipline are all issues that must be addressed." He added, "For conscription to function properly and gain broad public support, trust must be earned first."
