Cambodia’s New Military Service Law Has Moved Into Implementation

The law covers Cambodian citizens, including some dual nationals

Male Cambodian citizens aged 18–25 fall within the compulsory-service framework, while women may serve voluntarily. Cambodian dual nationals who reside in the country are also covered. Foreign residents who do not hold Cambodian citizenship are not brought into the obligation merely because they live, work or hold long-stay status in Cambodia.

Military census registration starts from age 17, but registration and actual service are separate steps. The framework provides for selection rather than the automatic entry of every eligible man into active service at the same moment, with intake shaped by the armed forces’ needs. The law also recognises exemptions for specified categories, while the implementing rules deal with deferments and other procedural questions.

For families, the decisive facts are therefore citizenship, age and the official recruitment process. Residence alone is not a substitute for citizenship when deciding whether the law applies.

For practical context, see Cambodia economy and finance. This development also connects with Cambodia sets new rules for mobile service and advertising SMS.

August rules and the October intake turned the law into an operating system

Sub-Decree No. 176, signed on 12 August and made public the next day, sets procedures for the military census, selection, invitations, deferments, allowances and the transition back to employment or education after service. Those details matter because many of the real-life consequences — timing, selection and continuity of study or work — sit below the headline rule of “24 months”.

The Ministry of National Defence later announced that forms for the first intake would be distributed from 1 to 9 October, with completed applications accepted from 10 to 15 October. On 2 October, Prime Minister Hun Manet said nearly 3,000 young people had joined the process on the first day. Government reporting described that opening wave as voluntary participation by both young men and women.

That early voluntary intake should not be confused with a conclusion that compulsory selection has disappeared. The statutory obligation for eligible male citizens remains, while the actual call-up operates through the selection and notification procedures established under the law and implementing rules.