We visited the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center while in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Also known as the Killing Fields, these are located a 20-minute drive outside of the city. The entrance fee costs $6 USD and includes an audio guide as you walk around. We spent about 2 hours here, learning about the horrific crimes of the Communist Khmer Rouge Regime and their leader, Pol Pot.

Pol Pot, born Saloth Sar, rose to power as the leader of the Khmer Rouge in 1975 after they won the Cambodian Civil War. Under his regime, Cambodia underwent radical social, economic, and political changes. Pol Pot aimed to create an agrarian socialist society by forcibly relocating millions of people from urban areas to rural regions to work in agricultural labor camps. This mass relocation, known as the "Year Zero" policy, led to widespread starvation, disease, and death.

Pol Pot's regime implemented brutal policies, including the execution of intellectuals, professionals, and anyone perceived as a threat to the regime. The Khmer Rouge targeted ethnic minorities, religious groups, and even their own supporters who were suspected of disloyalty.

During Pol Pot's rule from 1975 to 1979, Cambodia experienced one of the most brutal genocides in history. It's estimated that around 1.7 million people, nearly a quarter of the country's population, died due to execution, forced labor, starvation, and disease under his regime.

The Choeung Ek Genocidal Center serves as a memorial to those who lost their lives during this dark period in Cambodian history. It's a somber reminder of the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge regime under the leadership of Pol Pot. Its also the most well known Killing Field.

If you’re new here, Hi! 👋🏻 we’re Shae & David, just a couple from Canada who decided to travel the world for a year! Our mission is to show you what places around the world are actually like, the highs, the lows and real life travelling. If you want to see more of that, don’t forget to subscribe to @ShaeandDavid!

Watch all of our vlogs from the beginning:   • WATCH FROM THE BEGINNING!  

———

🌎 OUR WORLD TRIP ITINERARY: https://shaeanddavid.com/2023/09/07/o...
🎥 OUR VIDEO & TRAVEL GEAR: https://shaeanddavid.com/2023/09/07/o...
ℹ️ VISIT OUR BLOG: https://www.shaeanddavid.com

📱CONNECT WITH US
Instagram:   / shaeanddavid_  
TikTok:   / shaeanddavid  
Email: [email protected]