Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet announced on Monday that his government will begin enforcing military conscription from 2026, marking the first implementation of a 2006 law requiring young men to serve in the military. The move comes as Cambodia faces rising border tensions with Thailand, though officials deny any direct connection between the new policy and the ongoing disputes.

Hun Manet said the 18-month mandatory service, which he plans to extend to 24 months through amendments, will address shortages in junior ranks and ensure Cambodia maintains a ready military force. Female military service remains voluntary under the law.

Cambodia’s defense budget for 2025 stands at $725 million out of a total $9 billion national budget. The government aims to boost spending to accelerate the army’s modernization.

The conscription announcement follows months of clashes with Thailand over a disputed northern border region. In May, a Cambodian soldier was killed in a gunfight, triggering a blockade on trade and restrictions on border crossings. While Hun Manet avoided linking the draft to these tensions, clashes have continued, with a recent incident involving a former Thai Army ranger assaulting a Cambodian soldier.

Pa Chanroeun, head of the Cambodian Institute for Democracy, warned that conscription could affect young Cambodians’ education and career prospects. He urged the government to ensure transparency and fairness in the draft process to secure public support.

Cambodia joins Singapore and Myanmar among Southeast Asian nations with mandatory military service, while Thailand offers exemptions, and Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines do not enforce conscription.