Type Order Established September 9, 1948 | Status Currently awarded | |
 | ||
Awarded for distinguished services to the King and to the people of Cambodia Grades Grand Cross
Grand Officer
Commander
Officer
Knight | ||
The Royal Order of Sahametrei (Khmer:គ្រឿងឥស្សរិយយសលំដាប់សហមេត្រី) is an Chivalric order conferred by the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia. The Royal order of Sahametrei was instituted in three classes on 9 September 1948 and was expanded to five classes on 23 August 1956. The order was not used during the Khmer Rouge period and was reinstated on 5 October 1995 by Royal Decree No. 1095/01. It is conferred primarily on foreigners who have rendered distinguished services to the King and to the people of Cambodia, particularly in the field of external relations and diplomatic services or, as a token of friendship.
The Royal Order of Sahametrei is part of the Kingdom of Cambodia's honours system which currently includes the Royal Order of Monisaraphon, Royal Order of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Royal Order of Sowathara. The Grand Cross and Grand Officer is presented as a sash worn over the right shoulder. The Commander class of the Royal Order of Sahametrei is a neck order and is suspended from a cravat that is worn around the neck. The badge of the Officer and Knight are worn on the left breast.
History
The Royal Order of Sahametrei was established by King Norodom Sihanouk on September 9, 1948. It was instituted in three classes but expanded on August 23, 1956 to five classes:
- Maha Sirivudha (មហាសេរីវឌ្ឍន៍) or Grand Cross
- Mahasena (មហាសេនា) or Grand Officer
- Tepidin (ធិបឌិន្ទ) or Commander
- Sena (សេនា) or Officer
- Askararidha (អស្សឫទ្ធិ) or Knight
The Order became dormant in 1975 under the government of Democratic Kampuchea. It was reinstituted by Royal Decree No.1095/01 on 5 October 1995 by King Norodom Sihanouk.