India, July 14 -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Monday announced that the country's military will compulsorily begin enlisting civilians from next year.

"From 2026, the military conscription law will be implemented," he told a ceremony at the Royal Gendarmerie Training Centre in central Kampong Chhnang province.

The Prime Minister cited rising tensions with Thailand as the reason for activating a long-dormant mandatory enlistment law.

The parliament of Cambodia had earlier approved a law in 2006, that would require all Cambodians aged 18 to 30 to serve in the military for 18 months. The law had never been enforced.

Hun Manet said the service period would be extended from the 18 months outlined in the earlier legislation, and p...