Cambodia Landmine Museum

Cambodia Landmine Museum

Cambodia can be described as a landmine-ridden country. During the war between the Khmer Rouge, supported by China, Vietnam, and the Soviet Union, and the Lon Nol government, backed by the United States, both sides planted numerous landmines across Cambodia. To this day, an estimated 6 million landmines remain buried underground, posing a constant threat.

The Cambodia Landmine Museum is located in Siem Reap Province. It is said that the museum was established in 1997 by Aki Ra, a local demining expert. He educates visitors about the history of landmines and has personally cleared over 50,000 mines. Witnessing the horrifying bloodshed and the killing among fellow Cambodians during his demining work, he decided to fund the museum himself, hoping to raise awareness about the dangers of war and landmines.

Although the museum is not very large, it leaves a deep impression, offering insights into the complex process of demining and the immense harm caused by landmines. At the museum’s entrance, several large cannons are displayed, standing like proud sentinels guarding the site. Visitors then come across a landmine pavilion filled with mines of various sizes and designs. Due to the large number of mines, the museum also showcases landmine-themed artworks. In addition to landmines, the exhibits include helmets, mortars, and various weapons used during the civil war, all of which are popular with tourists.

Cambodia Landmine Museum

Must-visit reason: Cambodia’s most moving museum

Continent where the attraction is located: Asia [Asia]

Country/Region where the attraction is located: Cambodia [Cambodia]

Province/State where the attraction is located: Siem Reap Province [Siem Reap Province]

City where the attraction is located: Siem Reap [Siem Reap]