Anlong Veng Travel Guide
This small and desolate town wouldn’t draw a single tourist if not for the fact that Pol Pot, infamous helmsman of the Khmer Rouge, lived and died here. Anlong Veng is less than 10 miles from a border crossing with Thailand.
Pol Pot and many of his henchmen were based here in the heyday of the Khmer Rouge. He executed a number of family members in Anlong Veng in what he called a ‘power struggle’, and was later put on trial and sentenced to house arrest before his mysterious death.
Those with whom Pol Pot shared power have also been detained here. Some were tried and found guilty after the turn of the century. Others still await their fate. The only real attractions, if you can call them that, are the graves and former houses of Khmer Rouge officials.
This small province is unkempt and littered with land mines. As an area of political importance to the Khmer Rouge, it received excessive military attention. Today’s victims are those who wander down the wrong path so by all means stick to well-traveled areas.
Getting There & Away
Most tourists cross from Thailand’s Si Saket Province and continue on from there. Buses from Si Saket connect to Bangkok in 9 hours, with travel by train taking a bit longer. The most popular onward route is to Siem Reap by shared taxi, a journey that takes 4 to 6 hours. Siem Reap offers international air connections to cities across Southeast Asia.
Things to Do
Anlong Veng Attractions
- Pol Pot’s home
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Though there is not much to see here, the house of the infamous ruler is at the end of a scenic drive through the jungle.
- Pol Pot’s grave
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Another underwhelming site, the late leader’s grave is near the border with thailand.
- Ta Mok’s house
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The townhouse of pol pot’s number four man is well preserved and has so far been spared by graffiti artists.
- Anlong Veng Lake
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Anlong veng ordered the construction of this lake, and the decrepit trees that were drowned in the course of its construction still jut out of the water.