Thai Soldier Wins Top Sandhurst Award, Same School as Hun Sen's Grandson

Thairath•Politics•2d ago

Reader Briefing

A Thai military cadet has achieved the highest honor at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the UK, mirroring the success of a relative of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

•Royal Thai Army Cadet Ravit Vanichayagornkul received the International Sword award at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
•The International Sword is the highest honor for foreign officer cadets at Sandhurst, recognizing outstanding leadership and performance.
•Ravit Vanichayagornkul is from the 71st Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy class and the 60th Preparatory Military Academy class.
•The award was presented on April 11, 2026, and the event was noted alongside the graduation of Hun Sen's grandson from the same institution.

Overview

•On April 11, 2026, Ravit Vanichayagornkul graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, receiving the International Sword award.
•Ravit Vanichayagornkul, a cadet from the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy class 71, received the International Sword award at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
•The International Sword is the highest honor awarded to foreign officer cadets at Sandhurst, recognizing outstanding leadership, physical and mental strength, and attitude.
•The award is supported by the Ministry of Defense of Kuwait in memory of Sheikh Ali Al Sabah, former Minister of Defense of Kuwait.
•Receiving the International Sword signifies great pride and confirmation of the determination, leadership, and military capability of Thai officers at the international level.
•Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hun Mani congratulated his son, HUN Chan Panha Both, who is also Hun Sen's grandson, on graduating from Sandhurst.
•Hun Mani expressed his pride in his son's graduation, stating it will prepare him for future success.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Read on Thairath (Thai Version)Read on Thairath (English Version)

Source: Thairath (Original)

Key Quotes

Hun Mani

"Father is very proud of his son, today's success will prepare my son for, and I have no doubt that he will succeed."

พ่อสุดภูมิใจในตัวลูกความสำเร็จในวันนี้ จะเป็นการเตรียมตัวลูกชายไปสู่ และไม่สงสัยเลยว่า ลูกจะประสบความสำเร็จ

Key Entities

Person

Ravit Vanichayagornkul(ร.ต.รวิชญ์ วาณิชยากรกุล)

A Thai military cadet who received the International Sword award at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

Sheikh Ali Al Sabah

The former Minister of Defense of Kuwait for whom the International Sword award is a memorial.

Hun Mani(ฮุน มานี)ℹ️

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister who congratulated his son on graduating from Sandhurst.

HUN Chan Panha Both

Son of Hun Mani and grandson of Hun Sen, who graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

Hun Sen(ฮุนเซน)ℹ️

Cambodian Senate President, grandfather of HUN Chan Panha Both who also graduated from Sandhurst.

Organization

Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy Class 71(นักเรียนนายร้อยพระจุลจอมเกล้าฯรุ่น 71)

The specific class Ravit Vanichayagornkul belongs to at the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy.

Preparatory Military Academy Class 60(นักเรียนเตรียมทหารรุ่น60)

The class Ravit Vanichayagornkul belonged to at the Preparatory Military Academy.

Infantry Battalion 1, 1st Infantry Regiment (Reserve)(ร.2 พัน.1 รอ.)

The unit Ravit Vanichayagornkul is affiliated with.

Ministry of Defense of Kuwait(กระทรวงกลาโหมแห่งรัฐคูเวต)

The entity that supports the International Sword award.

Place

Royal Military Academy Sandhurst(โรงเรียนนายร้อย Sandhurst)ℹ️

The prestigious British military academy where Ravit Vanichayagornkul received the International Sword award.