Our museum is located in Siem Reap, Cambodia. It is on the grounds of the great temples, including Angkor Wat, which served as a military command post and prison during the Cambodian Civil War and the reign of Khmer Rouge under Pol Pot.
The War Remnant Museum was initiated through cooperation with the Cambodian Army.
Our desire is that you will be enriched by your experience with us and leave with a new story to tell about Cambodia’s past, but more importantly about a new hope for Cambodia’s future.
The War Remnant Museum is more than a museum. It is also a center that provides education/training and support for dozens of at-risk people and landmine survivors, many whom are part of families suffering overwhelming hardships. The War Remnant Museum was created so that it might serve as a place of healing for bodies, hearts and minds and an important role in the development of society. We believe that love, support, education and teaching new skills will help secure better opportunities in life.
Before the Civil War
Our intention is to provide a general overview of Cambodia’s history, from the earliest known records up until modern time. This is by no means a complete or scholarly report; it’s simply a summary of major points. Since the focus of our museum is the sad civil war that has done – and continues to do – damage to our people, that section will be the most extensively developed.
Decades of War in Cambodia
The years 1965 – 1991 were a time of horrible war and destruction in Cambodia. The strife was both internal and external, marked by civil war, being an innocent bystander in the Vietnam War, genocide and famine, and international war with Vietnam.
Civil War
Cambodia remained neutral through the early 1960’s but slowed became more open to the People’s Republic of China, as Prince Sihanouk expected their victory and future dominance in Southeast Asia. This met with resistance from conservatives, who were represented by Minister of Defense Lon Nol.
Cambodian General, Prime Minister Lon Nol
At the same time, North Vietnamese forces began to encamp on the Cambodian side of the border, to provide a logistical advantage against the South Vietnamese and US. The latter forces began bombing raids beginning in 1969, which killed between 40,000 and 150,000 Cambodians.
With both internal economic struggles and external political problems, Cambodia was torn. Lon Nol led a National Assembly vote which unanimously ousted Sihanouk while he was abroad. Vietnamese were scapegoated, sometimes hunted by neighbors and soldiers. Official efforts were to round them up in detention camps.
Lon Nol attempted to also remain neutral; however the North Vietnamese saw the coup as an opportunity, and persuaded Sihanouk to ally himself to the Khmer Rouge, the communist Cambodian movement, which gave the movement greater credibility and helped them to recruit. The North Vietnamese, in early 1970, pressed attacks into northeastern Cambodia, and the US and South Vietnamese sought to attack them, only to discover that the North Vietnamese had moved even further into Cambodia.
Determined peasants made up the bulk of the Khmer Rouge, and from 1970 to 1975, gradually transformed from auxiliaries to the North Vietnamese forces, to being its own complete entity. The North Vietnamese government continued support throughout.
On June 4, 1972, Lon Nol was elected President in rigged elections; democracy had not truly been achieved. The 1973 Paris Peace Accords brought hope, US bombings were stopped, and Lon Nol declared a unilateral ceasefire. But the Khmer Rouge continued fighting, which reached the edges of Phnom Penh.
Immerse yourself in ancient history and Cambodian culture on a private, 3-day tour of Angkor Archeological Park and Tonle Sap Lake. With two full days to explore the Angkor temples, you can see top ...
An Elephant ride at the Temples of Angkor in Siem Reap, Cambodia is a great way to soak up the atmosphere under the shade of the huge trees and also offers a different view on the temples. The first ...
The best way to experience the Sunset over the paddy fields, this unique experience offers you with great pictures and best suites all groups, single, couples or families. Taste the local food with a ...
Hiking the Angkor Wat to see the temples and towers as well as the spectacular scenery in the ancient city at a leisure pace. And this tour also cover a boat trip to the beautiful Tonle Sap ...
Finish your day in the ancient capital of Khmer kingdom by visiting local villages, driving on country roads and watching the sun setting behind the palm trees. Every day: 5 ...
Kunlen mount is situated at north east of Angkor Complex about 50 Km, it takes approximately 2 hours drive up to the hill top with 487 meters height and plateau stretches 30 km long, it is opened for ...
Guest Name: Miss. Justyna Angermaier
Country: Germany
City: Bangkok
N.of Person: 2 pax
Travel date:
Booked: Cambodia Trekking & Camping Tour
Tour Style: Trekking Tours
Duration: 2 Days