Lieutenant Ratchawit Wanichayakorn, a cadet from the 71st class of Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, won the highest honor at Sandhurst Military Academy in the UK, the same school attended by Hun Sen's grandson.
/On 11 Apr 2026 GMT+7, reporters reported that Lieutenant Ratchawit Wanichayakorn, a military preparatory cadet from class 60 and a cadet of Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy class 71, assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Regiment, Royal Thai Army, received the International Sword Award upon graduation from the Sandhurst Military Academy.
The "International Sword Award" is the highest honor given to foreign officer cadets enrolled in the commissioned officer course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) in the United Kingdom.
This award is presented to the most outstanding foreign cadet of the intake, based on evaluations of leadership, physical and mental resilience, and attitude throughout the 44-week training program.
The "International Sword Award" is sponsored by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense in memory of Sheikh Ali Al Sabah, former Kuwaiti Minister of Defense.
The award is presented during the Sovereign's Parade, the official graduation ceremony for cadets. Each year, cadets from many countries, including Thailand, study at this academy. Receiving the International Sword Award is a great honor, affirming a Thai officer's dedication, leadership, and military capability on the international stage.
Reporters noted that Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hun Mani posted a congratulatory message to his son, Hun Chan Panha Both, grandson of Hun Sen, President of the Cambodian Senate, upon his graduation from Sandhurst: "A father is very proud of his son. Today's achievement prepares him for the future, and there is no doubt he will succeed."