A/ Wat Thmey: Siem Reap’s Memorial Site Wat Thmey, located just outside the main tourist zone of Siem Reap, is a peaceful temple with a haunting past. During the Khmer Rouge era, this area was used as a site for detainment and execution. Today, it houses a small memorial stupa filled with skulls and bones recovered from mass graves in the area—a chilling but important reminder of what happened. Visitors will also find informational boards and photographs that depict life under the Khmer Rouge, including forced labor, starvation, and the dismantling of culture and education. Local monks and caretakers often share stories with those who are interested in learning more.

Cambodia Landmine Museum: A Powerful Lesson in Siem Reap’s Hidden History When travelers think of Siem Reap, their minds often go straight to the awe-inspiring temples of Angkor Wat. But just a short drive from those ancient ruins lies another site that tells a very different—but equally powerful—story: the Cambodia Landmine Museum. Tucked away in the countryside, this modest museum offers a deeply moving and educational experience, shedding light on the long-lasting impact of war on Cambodia and the resilience of its people.What to Expect During Your Visit The museum is not large, but its impact is immense. Visitors will find: Hundreds of deactivated landmines, bombs, and weapons, collected by Aki Ra himself during his demining work. Detailed exhibits explaining the history of Cambodia’s conflicts—from the Vietnam War spillover to the Khmer Rouge era and beyond. Personal stories of survivors and communities affected by landmines.

Daily Life on the Way from Landmines: Cambodia’s Ongoing Journey of Survival and Hope For millions of people in Cambodia, the shadows of war are not just memories—they are part of daily life. Long after the guns fell silent, the land remains dangerous, littered with landmines and unexploded bombs buried beneath rice fields, forests, and village paths. The journey from this invisible threat to normalcy is slow, difficult, and courageous. This is the story of daily life on the way from landmines—a story of survival, strength, and a nation healing one step at a time.In rural Cambodia, agriculture is the heartbeat of life. Families rise at dawn to tend to their rice fields, collect firewood, and fetch water. But for many, every step could mean danger. Decades after the Khmer Rouge regime and the civil wars, millions of landmines and unexploded ordnance remain buried across the countryside. Entire communities live with the constant fear that a single wrong step could change everything.