Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

The Tuol Sleng Museum is a museum in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, originally functioning as the S-21 prison camp. Between 1975 and 1979, it was used as a detention and extermination center by the Khmer Rouge regime, hence also known as "Tuol Sleng" (meaning "Hill of Poisonous Trees").

Before its transformation, the S-21 prison camp was "Tuol Svay Prey" High School. In 1975, the school was converted into a terrifying prison and mass execution center, renamed Security Prison 21 (or S-21 for short). The Khmer Rouge modified the building to accommodate prisoners: the premises were surrounded by electrified barbed wire, former classrooms were turned into cramped interrogation rooms, and all windows were fitted with iron bars and barbed wire to prevent escapes.

Between 1975 and 1979, an estimated 14,000 to 15,000 people were imprisoned at S-21 (some believe the total exceeded 20,000). These "prisoners" were selected from across Cambodia; early detainees mainly included officials, military personnel, as well as scholars, doctors, teachers, and monks from the Lon Nol regime. Later, they were primarily Khmer Rouge party members, soldiers, and even some senior officials. Upon arrival, prisoners were photographed for records before being interrogated. The interrogations aimed to force confessions, and involved brutal torture methods such as beatings, electrocution, branding, and hanging. After interrogation, prisoners and their families were taken to the Choeung Ek Killing Fields to be executed.

In 1979, the prison was uncovered during the Vietnamese military offensive. In 1980, it was reopened to the public as the "Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum," receiving around 500 visitors daily on average. In 2009, the museum was inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

Reason to visit: Phnom Penh’s most harrowing museum

Continent: Asia【Asia】

Country/Region: Cambodia[Cambodia]

Province/State: Phnom Penh [Phnom Penh]

City: Phnom Penh [Phnom Penh]