Cambodian History

When we want to reflect and discuss on Cambodia’s development especially to learn about Cambodia’s development challenges, as the starting point, we should take Cambodian history into serious consideration. Much evidence shows that the history really has significant influences and impact on the current development process in Cambodia. In particular, in many cases, Cambodian behaviors and practice are strongly determined by their past History.

Cambodia history is featured by:
  • A country with a range of natural resources such as sweet water fishes, mines, forest, wild animals etc. However, due to poor governance practice, the country remains the one of the poorest country in the world.
  • A country with significant cultural heritage in South-East Asia. Many people in the world know Cambodia through Angkor Wat, a famous stone temple from the 12th Century. Around 1080 temples were counted in Cambodia, spreading in different provinces.
  • Cambodia was under French colony. The country was very much influenced by French people and culture. As result, Cambodians call every white long-nosed expatriate as Barang (translated: French).
  • Cambodia was led by the Khmer Rouge regime for three years and eight months (1975-79), to that time people in Phnom Penh were evacuated to leave the Capital to leave in rural areas. Two million people (especially the intelligent) were killed, and thousand of traumas and extremely fearful memories were left behind.
  • Cambodians, who survived from the Khmer Rouge, are affected by post traumatic stress,   which often leads to many mental issues such as sleeping problems, memory loss, depression, stress, aggression and violent behaviors etc. These issues lead to loss of self-confidence, fear, lack of trust, lack of initiatives, and resist to change.

  • The Vietnamese troops forced the Khmer Rouge from the Country in 1979, and then, a new government supported by Vietnam was set up.  It was observed that Vietnam has significant influence to Cambodia after the Khmer Rouge downfall.   

  • From mid 20th century, there were at least eight different regime changes in Cambodia. It was observed that most regimes changed from good to bad.

 

Cambodia timelines

1998 - present: Kingdom of Cambodia (PM: Hun Sen)

1993 - 97: Kingdom of Cambodia (Co-PM: Norodom Ranarith & Hun Sen)

1991 - 93: United Nation Transition Authority for Cambodia (UNTAC)

              King Norodom Sihanouk

1989 - 91: State of Cambodia (PM: Hun Sen)

1979 - 89: People's Republic Kampuchea (PM: Heng Samrin)

1975 - 79: Kampuchea Democratic / Khmer Rouge (PM: Pol Pot)

1970 - 75: Khmer Republic (PM: Lun Nol)

1953 - 70: Sangkum Rastr Niyom (PM: King Norodom Sihanouk)

1863 - 1953: French Colony

 

 

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