Category: Cambodia travel facts

The origins of the Khmer Rouge trace back to the Khmer People’s Revolutionary Party (KPRP), established in the early 1950s. This party not only appealed to anti-monarchist factions but also attracted young Cambodians who encountered communist ideas while studying in France. Among those who emerged as influential leaders within the Khmer Rouge were Saloth Sar, […]

In 1966, General Lon Nol was elected as prime minister of Cambodia, initially seen as an ally of Prince Norodom Sihanouk. However, rising unrest among military personnel frustrated by inadequate supplies and equipment, along with discontent from the middle class over the prince’s economic strategies, prompted Nol to reassess his position. By 1970, while Sihanouk […]

In the late 1950s, with tacit support from the United States, a paramilitary right-wing group known as the Khmer Serei began plotting against Prince Norodom Sihanouk. This group was funded and backed by the Thai and South Vietnamese governments. As a result of these developments, Sihanouk grew increasingly distrustful of both the pro-American Thai and […]

The Cambodian populace erupted with joy upon achieving independence, celebrating Prince Norodom Sihanouk as a national hero. However, for the vast majority of impoverished farmers, the newfound freedom had little impact on their subsistence lifestyles. Sihanouk was fueled by a relentless desire for public adoration and an unwavering belief that, as the architect of Cambodia’s […]

Although the French reinstated their officials by the end of 1945, the pre-war situation in Cambodia was never fully restored. The Thai government began financially supporting anti-Japanese and anti-French initiatives, leading to the emergence of anti-royalist Cambodian groups in exile along the Thai border. By 1946, these factions had united to form the left-leaning Khmer […]

The Japanese invasion of Southeast Asia between 1941 and 1942 had a limited effect on the existing situation in Indochina. During this period, the Japanese permitted the Vichy French to maintain control over daily administration. Sensing an opportunity, the Thai forces, aligned with the Japanese, launched incursions into Cambodia, aiming to reclaim the provinces of […]

The treaty signed between King Norodom and France established a protectorate over Cambodia, granting French authorities extensive mineral and timber rights, as well as the freedom to spread Christianity. However, this arrangement led to unrest in the provinces, where riots erupted against both Norodom and the French. The French sought a new treaty that would […]

The escalating tensions between the Thais and Vietnamese ultimately prompted the Cambodians to seek protection from France. Following the death of King Ang Eng, his eldest son and heir, Ang Chan, was only six years old and did not ascend to the throne for another nine years. During this interim period, the Thais annexed the […]

After the fall of Angkor in 1431, the center of Khmer power transitioned to a new location. King Ponhea Yat abandoned Angkor and established a new capital in Phnom Penh. Although Thai records indicate that the capital may have temporarily returned to Angkor around 1467, by the early 1500s, King Ang Chan (1505/1516–56) had firmly […]

After the peak of Jayavarman VII’s rule, Angkor entered a gradual decline, with many territories in what is now Thailand, such as Sukothai and Louvo, reclaiming their independence. A resurgence of Thai forces eventually led to a series of invasions, culminating in the capture and sacking of Angkor in 1431, traditionally marked as the empire’s […]