Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1947
The provinces of Battambang, Siem Reap and Sisophon, seized by the Thais during the
Japanese occupation, are returned to Cambodia.
1953
Sihanouk's royal crusade for independence succeeds and Cambodia goes it alone without
the French on 9 November, ushering in a new era of optimism.
1955
King Sihanouk abdicates from the throne to enter a career in politics; he founds the
Sangkum Reastr Niyum (People's Socialist Community) party and wins the election with
ease.
1962
The International Court rules in favour of Cambodia in the long-running dispute over the
dramatic mountain temple of Preah Vihear, perched on the Dangkrek Mountains on the
border with Thailand.
1963
Pol Pot and Ieng Sary flee from Phnom Penh to the jungles of Ratanakiri. With training
from the Vietnamese, they launch a guerrilla war against Sihanouk's government.
1964
After the US-sponsored coup against President Diem in South Vietnam, Sihanouk veers
left, breaking diplomatic ties with the USA and nationalising the rice trade, antagonising
the ethnic Chinese business community.
1969
US President Nixon authorises the secret bombing of Cambodia, which starts with the car-
pet bombing of border zones, but spreads to the whole country, continuing until 1973 and
killing up to 250,000 Cambodians.
1970
Sihanouk throws in his lot with the Khmer Rouge after being overthrown by his cousin
Prince Sirik Matak and military commander Lon Nol, and sentenced to death in absentia,
marking the start of a five-year civil war.
