Catch Up On Cambodia

  • The End

    The Japanese occupation has ended in Cambodia
  • Forces Combine

    The Cambodian communists had joined forces with Vietnamese against French colonialism.
  • Prince Norodom Sihnaouk

    Kingdom of Cambodia, under Prince Norodom Sihanouk: autocratic monarchy, non-aligned in foreign policy and neutral in the Vietnam War.
  • Sihanouk

    Sihanouk's father dies. Sihanouk becomes head of state.
  • Sihanouk Again

    Sihanouk breaks off relations with the US and allows North Vietnamese guerrillas to set up bases in Cambodia in pursuance of their campaign against the US-backed government in South Vietnam.
  • Lon Nol

    Prime Minister Lon Nol overthrows Sihanouk in coup. He proclaims the Khmer Republic and sends the army to fight the North Vietnamese in Cambodia.
  • Lon Nol getting over thrown

    Lon Nol is overthrown as the Khmer Rouge led by Pol Pot occupy Phnom Penh. Sihanouk briefly becomes head of state, the country is re-named Kampuchea.
  • The Genocide Is Begging

    The genocide that Pol Pot has started is going on now people are dying because of Pol Pot did.
  • Phnom Penh Kidnapped

    The Vietnamese take Phnom Penh. Pol Pot and Khmer Rouge forces flee to the border region with Thailand.
  • Hun Sen

    Hun Sen becomes prime minister. Cambodia is plagued by guerrilla warfare. Hundreds of thousands become refugees.
  • The Vietnamese Withdraw

    Vietnamese troops withdraw. Hun Sen tries to attract foreign investment by abandoning socialism. The country is re-named the State of Cambodia. Buddhism is re-established as the state religion.
  • Khmer Rouge

    Deputy leader of Khmer Rouge Ieng Sary forms a new party and is granted amnesty by Sihanouk.
  • Pol Pot Death

    Pol Pot had died at the age of 78 years old.
  • Cambodian Freedom Fighters

    US-based Cambodian Freedom Fighters members convicted of 2000 attack in Phnom Penh. Group pledges to continue campaign to overthrow Hun Sen.
  • Cambodian People Party

    First multi-party local elections ruling Cambodian People's Party wins in all but 23 out of 1,620 communes. Ranariddh's half-brother Prince Norodom Chakrapong sets up his own Norodom Chakrapong Khmer Soul Party.
  • Upset at Thailand

    Serious diplomatic upset with Thailand over comments attributed to a Thai TV star that the Angkor Wat temple complex was stolen from Thailand. Angry crowds attack the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh. Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party wins general elections but fails to secure sufficient majority to govern alone.
  • Sam Rainsy

    Opposition leader Sam Rainsy goes abroad after parliament strips him of immunity from prosecution, leaving him open to defamation charges brought by the ruling coalition.
  • Rainsy is Convicted

    Rainsy is convicted in absentia of defaming Hun Sen and is sentenced to 18 months in prison
  • Norodom Ranariddh

    Funcinpec party, a junior partner in the ruling coalition, drops Prince Norodom Ranariddh as its leader.
  • Nuon Chea

    Most senior surviving Khmer Rouge member, Nuon Chea - "Brother Number Two" - is arrested and charged with crimes against humanity.
  • UN-backed tribunals

    UN-backed tribunals begin questioning Khmer Rouge suspects about allegations of genocide.
  • Cambodian Soldiers

    Two Cambodian soldiers die in an exchange of fire with Thai troops in the disputed area. Thai soldier dies later of wounds.
  • Khmer Rouge

    Former Khmer Rouge leader Kaing Guek Eav known as Duch goes on trial on charges of presiding over the murder and torture of thousands of people as head of the notorious Tuol Sleng prison camp.
  • Another row with Thailand

    Another row with Thailand, after Cambodia refuses to extradite ex-Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and appoints him as an economic adviser instead.
  • Sam Rainsy

    Exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy is sentenced in absentia to 10 years in jail after being found guilty of manipulating a map to suggest Cambodia is losing land to Vietnam.