Indochina Medals - Cambodia - CM15 Royal Order of Sowathara

CM15	ROYAL ORDER OF SOWATHARA
	Order Royal du Sowathara, Ordre Cambodgien du Merite Agricole, Ordre Cambodgien du Bonheur de la Terre (Meday Sowathara) founded in three classes June 22, 1923, raised to five classes August 23, 1956
	For:	accomplishments in the fields of agriculture, and later the economy and public works
	Design:	Obverse:	in the center of green enamel disk with the three towered hall of Angkor Vat in gold, a gold rim, and surrounded with four sets of five equal rays, slightly forked at the end, between them, respectively, shocks of corn, cotton, rice, and palm leaves; suspended by a representation of the Goddess of the Earth, twisting her hair;
		Reverse:	plain
	Ribbon:	apple green

It could be bestowed under Royal Ordinance through the proposal of the Cambodian Ministers of the Palace, National Economy, Public Works, and Agriculture or earlier also by the proposal of the French Resident Superior.

Except for the sash and star, the Order of the Sowathara not infrequently appears on the market.

It has been revived by the current Kingdom.

15/1	Grand Cross / Grand-Croix / (Moha Serivodho or Mohasereivadh)
	Design:	star – as above, on a star of eight points of rounded rays, 100mm;
		sash badge – as above 55mm across, with sash;
	Ribbon:	sash 100mm apple green; service bar – with rosette and two gold wings

An example is the Grand Cross presented about 1955 by Prince Sihanouk to Czechoslovakian Prime Minister William Siroky.

Royal Order of Sowathara grand cross
15/1 Sash and Badge

Royal Order of Sowathara star
15/1 Star

15/2	Grand Officer / Grand-Officier / (Vorsenea)
	Design:	star – as above, 100mm;
		breast badge – as above, 40mm across, with rosette on suspension ribbon
	Ribbon:	36mm; service bar - with rosette with one gold and one silver wing

15/3	Commander / Commandeur / (Thipden)
	Design:	badge – as above, 55mm across, suspended from a cravat
	Ribbon:	40mm; service bar - with rosette and silver wings

Royal Order of Sowathara commander
15/3 Commander

Royal Order of Sowathara commander

15/4	Officer / Officier / (Senea)
	Design:	breast badge – as above, 40mm across, with rosette on suspension ribbon
	Ribbon:	36mm; service bar - with rosette

Royal Order of Sowathara officer
15/4 Officier

15/5	Knight / Chevalier / (Assarutti)
	Design:	breast badge – as above, 40mm across, with suspension ribbon
	Ribbon:	36mm; service bar – without rosette