Brother Number One, Pol Pot, was the leader of the Khmer Rouge and died in Anlong Veng prior to standing trial for an unimaginable number of deaths during his reign of terror.
Located just 13kms to the north of Anlong Veng, the grave of Pol Pot is visited by few visitors to Cambodia and the grave is suitably plain and decripit.
After his death, the ashes of Pol Pot were separated into three parts and scattered in the Tonle Sap, in northern Ratanakiri Province, and at this scenic spot, which is located along the Dangrek Mountains. Tt wasn’t until several years later that the tin hut that shelters this grave and a small spirit house were built at this location. Bizarrely, the ‘memorials’ were constructed as a tribute by a Thai lottery winner, who claims to have been told the winning numbers in a dream by Pol Pot himself.
While few Cambodians would ever dream of visiting this site, it is a pilgrimage site for a number of Thai people, who believe that paying tribute here will bring them good luck and perhaps help them to win the lottery themselves.
The grave is located about 50 meters off the road, close to the Thai border. Visitors should take particular care in this region of Cambodia as an unknown multitude of land mines were laid in the past and the area has yet to be cleared extensively. While the short walk to the grave is well-trodden, it is best to stick to these well-worn paths and perhaps take a guide along who knows the area well if you feel like exploring further afield (which you shouldnt).
Getting There
Take a taxi or hire a bicycle from the town of Anlong Veng (25 to 40 minutes). Anlong Veng is accessible from Siem Reap by taxi or bus.
Need to Know
- What is it? The final resting place of the former leader of the Khmer Rouge.
- Opening hours: 24 hours, daily.
- Entrance fees: no entry charge.
- Nearest town: Located in Anlong Veng, Cambodia a couple hours north of Siem Reap and the Angkor Temples.