The End of the Road: Pol Pot's Cremation Site

A Place of History, Not Honor

This site in Anlong Veng (the final stronghold of the Khmer Rouge) marks the spot where Pol Pot, one of the 20th century's most brutal dictators, was cremated on a pile of old tires and rubbish in 1998. Visiting here is a somber experience, offering a glimpse into the final, pathetic chapter of a regime that caused the deaths of nearly 2 million people.

What You Will See

The Grave

The site itself is jarringly simple: a small mound of earth protected by a rusty corrugated metal roof and surrounded by a low fence. There is no grand monument. The banality of his final resting place stands in stark contrast to the magnitude of the suffering he caused.

Ta Mok's House

Just a short drive away is the lakeside villa of Ta Mok (known as "The Butcher"), the Khmer Rouge military chief. Unlike Pol Pot's grave, this house is substantial, featuring wall murals of Angkor Wat. It serves as a chilling museum of the leadership's lifestyle.

🎰 A Strange Local Ritual

While foreigners visit for history, you might see locals lighting incense and offering fruit at the grave. In a bizarre twist of superstition, some residents pray to Pol Pot's spirit asking for lucky lottery numbers. It is a surreal and complex cultural phenomenon unique to this region.

Logistics

• Location: Anlong Veng, Oddar Meanchey Province.
• Distance: Approx. 3 hours (130km) north of Siem Reap.
• The Road: The road up the Dangrek Mountains offers spectacular views of the Cambodian plains below. It is steep but paved.