Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Generals receive promotion

Generals receive promotion

RCAF Navy commander Tea Vinh presides over a promotion ceremony for Navy officers in Sihanoukville last year. On Friday, Vinh was elevated to deputy commander of RCAF. AKP
RCAF Navy commander Tea Vinh presides over a promotion ceremony for Navy officers in Sihanoukville last year. On Friday, Vinh was elevated to deputy commander of RCAF. AKP

Generals receive promotion

Four generals – including the commanders of the Cambodian Navy and Air Force – have been promoted to deputy commanders-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, swelling the upper echelons of an already top-heavy military.

Acting Head of State Say Chhum promoted Navy Commander Tea Vinh, Air Force Commander Soeung Samnang, Artillery Director Nob Ratana and RCAF High Command Operations Director Vong Veasna in a royal decree signed Friday.

All four are members of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party’s Central Committee.

In a separate royal decree, also signed by Chhum and dated Friday, Veasna and Ratana were also promoted to four-star generals at the request of Prime Minister Hun Sen.

CPP spokesman Sok Eysan defended the promotions as “encouragement” for the officers.

“The promotions comply with each individual’s achievement to make them have a strong stance to fulfil their duty to the nation, country and people,” Eysan said.

Experts have criticised Cambodia’s generous military promotions and insiders have confessed that the bloated upper ranks mean that senior officials are sometimes compelled to remove stars when meeting with foreign counterparts who are typically of much lower rank.

Ex-CNRP lawmaker Cheam Channy, who worked on defence issues for the now-dissolved opposition party, criticised the appointments as part of Hun Sen’s strategy to consolidate his power, comparing the military’s top-heavy upper ranks to bloated bureaucracies in many provinces.

“There are many people but only a little work,” he said. “It is a waste of money.”

MOST VIEWED

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • PM declares ASEAN Para Games open

    The 12th ASEAN Para Games officially kicked off on the evening of June 3 at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, with a spectacular opening ceremony featuring fireworks and performances by some of the Kingdom’s most accomplished talents. Tens of thousands of sports fans

  • Honda shutters Siem Reap football club

    Japanese football legend Keisuke Honda, the owner of Siem Reap football club Soltilo Angkor FC, has been forced to shut the club down, after it failed to attract sponsorship for the upcoming season. Honda, the former manager of the Cambodia men's national football team, said

  • Waterway job still pending for Kampot tourism port’s opening

    The search is still on for a contractor to expand and deepen the Kampot International Tourism Port’s waterway and deliver additional enhancements allowing safe access for larger vessels, nearly a year after the main construction work on the 4.25ha site was completed on June 30, 2022.