Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(33B St 169, Kith Eng Restaurant)
The late Cambodian artist Vann Nath is famous the
world over for his depictions of Khmer Rouge torture scenes at Phnom Penh's notorious
S-21 Security Prison, where he was one of only seven survivors. He continued to paint
vivid canvases of S-21 right up until he died in 2011.
Many of Vann Nath's later works can be viewed here at his family's Kith Eng Restaur-
ant. There are no set hours, just drop by and usually his wife or his son-in-law (who
speaks English) will let you in.
Some of Vann Nath's most famous images are on display at the Tuol Sleng Museum.
The Vietnamese brought him back to S-21 from 1980 to 1982 specifically to paint these.
'We must think of the souls of those who died there,' Vann Nath told us in an interview
not long before he passed away. 'These souls died without hope, without light, without a
future. They had no life. So I paint my scenes to tell the world the stories of those who did
not survive.'
In the wake of Vann Nath's death, fellow prisoners Chum Mey and Bou Meng are the
last remaining survivors of S-21.
PHNOM PENH IN…
Two Days
Start early to observe the aerobics sessions on the riverfront, then grab breakfast before venturing into
the
Royal Palace
(
Click here
). Next is the
National Museum
(
Click here
) and the world's most won-
drous collection of Khmer sculpture. After lunch at
Friends
(
Click here
) restaurant, check out the
funky architecture of
Psar Thmei
(
Click here
)
, but save the heavy shopping for the
Russian Market
(
Click here
). Celebrate your shopping coups with a riverside happy-hour drink at
Foreign Corres-
pondents' Club
(
Click here
), and then a night out on the town.
Start day two with a
walking tour
(
Click here
) of the centre, or just wander around
Wat Phnom
(
Click here
), where Khmers pray for luck. Have lunch on the riverside, then visit the sobering
Tuol
Sleng Museum
(
Click here
)
before continuing on to the
Killing Fields of Choeung Ek
(
Click here
).
It is a grim afternoon, but essential for understanding just how far Cambodia has come in the interven-
ing years. Wind up your weekend with a
sunset cruise
(
Click here
) on the Mekong River, offering a
beautiful view over the Royal Palace.
French Embassy
( 023-430020; 1 Monivong Blvd)
At the northern end of Monivong Blvd, the French em-
bassy played a significant role in the dramas that unfolded after the fall of Phnom Penh on
17 April 1975. About 800 foreigners and 600 Cambodians took refuge in the embassy.
LANDMARK
