แแ แแแแแแธแฉ แแแแแแแแถ แแแแถแแขแ แขแฅ แแแแปแแแถแแแถแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแถแแถแแแแ แแแแแแแแแแแแฏแแแถแแแแแแปแแถ แแถแแแแแพแแแแพแแแ แแถแแแแผแแทแแแแแถแ แแปแแขแแแแแแแถแ แแแแปแแแถแแแแ แแแแแแแแแทแแแถแแ แแแแแถแแ แแแแถแแแแแแถแแกแ แแธแกแผแแแแแแแแแแแแถแแแทแ แแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแถแแถแแแแแ แแแแแแแแแแแแแแปแแแถแแแถแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแถแแถแแแแแ แปแแแ แแผแแทแแแแแถแ แแบแแพแแแแธแแฝแแแปแแแปแแแ แแแแถแแแแฟแแแแถแแขแแแแแแแแถแแแถแแแธแแทแแแธแแแแแแแแแแแแ แ แแทแแแแแ แถแแปแแแถแแแแแแแฝแแแถแแแแถแแแแแ แแ แปแแแแแแแ แแแแปแแแถแแแถแแแถแแแฝแแแแแแถแแแแแถแแฝแแขแแแแแแแแถแแแถแแแธแแทแแแธแแแแแแแแแแแแ แแ แแแฝแแค (แแแแธแ แแแฝแแฃแแถแแ) แแผแ แแถแแแแแแแ
On July 9 2025, a team from the Veal Veng Reconciliation Center conducted a field visit to Kandal Village, Anlong Reap Commune, Veal Veng District, Pursat Province, located approximately 10 kilometers west of the Center. The primary objective of the visit was to engage with survivors of the Khmer Rouge regime, to document their personal testimonies, and to assess their current health conditions. During the mission, the team interviewed four survivors as outlined below:
แแถแแแแแปแแแแแแ แแแ แแ แขแถแแปแงแจแแแแถแ แแทแแแถแแแแแปแแแแแพแแแ แแผแแทแแถแแ แแปแแแถแแ แแแแปแแแถแแถแ แแแแแแแแแทแแแถแแแ แแ แแ แปแแแแแแแแแแแ แแผแแทแแแแแถแ แแปแแขแแแแแแถแ แแแแปแแแถแแแแ แแแแแแแแแทแแแถแแแ แแแแปแแแถแแแแแธแแแแแ แแแ แแฝแ(แแแแถแแแแแแแถแแแแแแแแแแ แแ แถแแแแแแ แแแแแถแแ)แ แแแแปแแแถแแแผแแ แแแฝแแกแ แแถแแ แแผแแแแแปแแแถแแแแฝแแแแแแแถแแ แแแฝแแฅแแถแแแแแแแถแแแแแบแ แแแแปแแแถแแชแแปแแแแแแ แแทแ (แแแแถแแ) แแทแแแแแถแแแแแแ แแแ แขแถแแ (แแแแถแแ)แ แแแแปแแแถแแแแแแขแผแแแแแแพแแ แแแฝแแกแ แแถแแ(แแแแปแแฅแแถแแ แแแแธแฅแแถแแ) แแแแแขแผแแแแแปแแแถแแแแฝแแแแแแแถแแงแแถแแ(แแแแปแแคแแถแแ แแแแธแฃแแถแแ)แ แแแแปแแแถแแผแแแธแก แแ แแแแปแแแแแฝแแถแแ
แแถแแแธแแแแแแแแแปแแแแแแถแแแแแถแแแแธแกแขโแ แถแแ แแ แแถแแถแแแแแทแแแแถ-แแถแแ แแแแแแแทแแแ แแผแแทแแถแแ แแปแแแถแแ แแแแปแแแถแแถแ แแแแแแแแแทแแแถแแแ แแผแแ แแแปแแแแแแแปแแแแแแแแแแแแถแแแแแแแฝแแถแแแถแแแธแแแถแแแแแธแแแ แแแแแขแผแแ แแแพแแแทแแขแถแ แแแแแแถแแแทแแแแถแแถแแ แแแแแถแแแแธแแแแแแแแแแปแแแถแแแฝแแแถแแแถแแแแแถแแแแแพแแแแแ แแแแถแ แแแแพแแถแแแถแแแแแ แแพแแแแแแขแผแแแแทแแแพแแแแแแแแนแแชแกแนแ แแแแนแแแแแแแแแแแ แแแ แแพแแแแธแแถแแแปแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแ แแแแปแแแแแฝแแถแแ
แแ แแแแแแธแกแจ แแแแธแแถ แแแแถแแกแฉแงแ แแแแงแแแแแแแแธแแ แแแ แแแ แแถแแแแแพแแแแแแแแ แถแแแแแแถแแแแแแแแ แแแแแแแ แแธแ แแป แ แแแแธแแปแแแแแแแ แแ แแแแปแแขแแกแปแแแแแแผแแทแแแแแแแปแแแแแแ แแทแแแถแแแแถแแ แแแปแแถแแแแขแแแธแแ แแแแแถแแแขแถแ แแแแแ แแถแแแแแแแถแ แแปแแแแแแแแถแแกแฉแงแฃ แแแแแแขแถแแแแทแแแถแแแแถแแแพแแแแแแ แแแแถแ แแแพแแแแแฟแแแแแแแแถแแแแแแถแแแแแแแ แแแแปแแแผแแทแแแแแแแปแแแแแแ แ แแแแแแแแแแแถแแแแ แแแแปแแแผแแทแแถแแแถแแแแแแแแปแแแทแแ แแถแ แแแถแแแแถแแ แแแแแถแแแแแแแแถแแแถแแแผแแ แ แแแแแแแ แแ แแแแปแแแแแแแพแแแแธแแถแแแแแแฝแแ แแแแแถแแแแธแแแแแแแแแถแแแแถแแแแแแถแแแแแแถแแแแแ แแแแปแแแถแแแพแแแแแแถแแแแ แแแแปแแแผแแทแแฝแแ แแแฝแแแแแผแแแถแแแแแถแแ แแทแแแแแแฝแแแถแ แแแพแแแถแแ แแธแฏแแแแแแแแแแแแถแ แแแพแแแแแผแแแถแแแถแแแแแ แแทแแแแแแแทแ แแแแแแถแแแแแถแแแแ แแแแแแแธแแแแถแแแแถแแแแแแแแ แแแแแถแแแแแแแแถแแแแแปแแแถแแแแแถแแแฒแแแแแแปแ แแทแแแแขแผแแแแธแแแแแแ แแแแแแแแแปแแแแแแถแแแแถแแแแแแฝแแ
แแ แแแแแแธแกแง แแแแแแถ แแแแถแแกแฉแงแฅ แแแแแแแแแแแแแแ แแแถแแแถแแแแแฝแแแแแแแแแแแงแแแแแแแแธแแ แแแ แแแแ แแแแแถแแแแธแแแฝแแแถแแแแแแแแแแแ แแธแแแแปแแแแแแแแ แแแแปแแแถแแแพแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแ แแแถแแแแแพแแแแพแแ แผแแแแแผแแทแแแแแแแแปแ แ แพแแแถแแแแแแแแแแแแผแแทแแแแปแแแถแแแแแแปแแ แแแแแแแแแแแแแแ แแ แถแแแแแแพแแแแพแแแทแแแแแถแแแแแถแแแแแแแแแทแแผแแแแแแถแแแแ แแแแปแแแผแแท แแแแแถแแแแแแแแแถแแแแแแพแแถแแถแ แถแ แแแ แแแ แแถแแ แแแพแแแแแผแแแถแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแ แแ แถแแแแ แแแแแถแแแ แแแแแแแแผแแแแปแแแแแถแแแแแแผแแแถแแแแแแแแแแ แแ แถแแแแแแ แแแแแถแแ แแแแแถแแแแแถแแแแถแขแแธแแแถแ แถแแแแถแแแถ แ แแแแแถแแแแธแแแแถแแแแแถแแแแแแแแแทแแผแแแแแผแแแถแแแแแ แแ แแแแแแแแแ แแแถแแแแแแพแแแ แแแแแแ แแแแปแแแผแแทแ แแแแแถแแแแแแแแแแแแแ แแแถแแแแแถแแแฒแแแแแแแถแแแแแแแผแแแแแแถแแแแแแแแแแแถแแแแฝแ แ แผแแแฝแ แแแแพแแถแแแถแแแฝแ แแทแแแแแถแแแแ แแฝแแ
แแแแแแแแแ แแแถแแแแแ แแแฒแแแแถแแแถแแแแปแแถแ แแแแปแแแแแ แแทแแแแแแปแแแแ แถแแแ แแแแแแแแแแปแแแถแแแแแแแแแแแแแผแแแถแแแแแแแแแแ แแแแแพแแแพแแฒแแแ แผแแแแแพแแถแแแถแแแ แแแแปแแแแ แแแ แแแแแถแแแแถแแทแแ แแแแแแแธแขแ แ แแ แฃแ แ แแถแแแ แแแแแถแแแแธแแแแพแแแพแแแแแปแแแแแผแแแถแแแแแแแแแแ แแแถแแแแแ แแแแถแแแแปแแแผแ แ แแแแปแแแฝแแแแแปแแแถแแแแแถแกแขแแถแแ แแทแแแถแแแแแแถแแแแแปแแแแแถแแแแแแแถแแแแนแแแถแแแผแแแแแปแแฒแแแ แปแแแแแพแแถแแแถแแ แขแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแ แแแแปแแแแ แแแแแแแแ แแถแแธ แแแถแแแ แแถแแแถแแแแแแแแแแแแแ แแฒแแแแแแปแแแแแพแแแแผแแแบ แแแแผแแแธแแแแแกแถแแแธแแผแแทแแถแแแ แแ แผแแแ แแแแแผแแทแแแแ แถแ แแแแแแแทแแแ แแปแแแถแแ แแแแปแแแถแแแแแแแแ แแแแแแแแแทแแแถแแแแ แแ แปแแแแแแแ แแแแแถแแแแธแแธแแแแแกแถแแแฝแ แแถแแ แแแแปแแแแแผแแแถแแแแแแแแแแ แแแแแถแแแ แแแแธแแผแแทแแแแ แถแ แแพแแแแธแฒแแแแ แแฝแแแพแแแแแแแแ แแแแถแแแแพแแแแ แแแแแแแทแแแ แแผแแทแแแแแแก แแปแแแแแแ แแแแปแแแแแแแแแแถแ แแแแแแแแแทแแแถแแ แ แแแแแแแถแแแแแแพแแแแแแแแ แแแแถแแแแพแแแแแแแแผแ แแแแปแแแถแแแถแแแแแถแแแถแแแแถแแ แแแแแแแถแแแแแพแแแแแแแแทแแแผแแแถแแแแแแถแแ แแแแแถแแแขแถแ แถแแ แผแแ แปแแแแแแแแแปแ แแแแแแแแแ แแแถแแแถแแแถแแ แแ แปแ แ แผแแแถแแฝแแแแแแแแแผแแแแแแทแ แแทแแแแแผแแแแแแฝแแแถแแแแแถแแแแแแแ แแแแปแแแพแแแแแแแแ แแแแถแแแแพแแแแแแถแแแแแแแแกแ แแ แแแแแถแแแแแแแแแแแแแถแแแแพแแแแแแถแแแถแแแ แแแแแแแแแแปแแแทแแแแแแถแแแแแแแพแแแแแแแแ แแแแถแแแแพแแแแแแถแแแขแแแแถแแขแถแแแแแแแแแแแแแถแ แแทแแแแแฝแแแถแแแแแแถแแแแถแแ แแแแแแแแแถแ แแแแแแแแแ แแ แถแแแแแแ แแแแแถแแแ แแแแแถแแแแธแแแแแแแถแแแถแแแแถแแแแแแแแขแแแแ แแแแปแแแทแแแแแแถแแแแแแ แแแฃแ แแถแแแแแ แแแแผแแแถแแแ แแแนแ แแแแแถแแแแแแแแแแแแแแ แแแแแธแแธแแแแปแแแแแแแแ แแแแแแแแ แฒแแแแแแแ แแแแแแแถแแแแแแแ แแแแแ แแแแแแแแแแถแแแแแแ แแแแปแแแทแแแแแแถแแแฃแ แแถแแ แแแแผแแแถแแแ แแแนแ แแแแแผแแฒแแแแ แแแแพแแถแแแถแแแแแ แแแแแแทแแแแแแแแ แแแแปแแแแแพแแถแแแแแ แแแแแแทแแแแแแแแแถแแแแแแแแกแแแแถแ แแถแแแแแแแ แแแ แ แพแแแแแถแแแแถแแแแแแแแ แแถแแฝแแขแแแแแ(แแแแธ) แแแแแถแแแแถแแแธแแแแแปแแแทแ แแแแแแแทแแแผแแทแแแแแแแถแ แแปแแแแแแแแถแ แแแแปแแแแแถแแ แแ แแแแแแแถแแแแแแ (แแ แแ แปแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแถแแแถแแแแ)แ แแแแแถแแแแธแแแแแธแแถแแแถแแแแแ แแแแแถแแแแแแแแขแแ แแแแปแแแแแผแแแถแแแแแแแแแแ แแแแแพแแแพแแฒแแแ แผแแแถแแแแถแแธแแแแแแแแแ แแแ แแแแปแแแแแแแแแข แแแแแถแแแธแแถแแแแ แแแแถแแแพแแแแแแแถแแแแแแ (แขแแแแแแแแแแแแแแทแแ แถแแแแแแ)แ แแแแ แผแแแถแแแแถแแธแแแแแแแแแ แ แแแแปแแแแแผแแแถแแแแแแผแแแแแแแแแแ แปแแแ แแพแแแแธแแถแแแถแแฒแแแแแแแแแแทแแแแ แแแแ แแธแแถแแแถแแ แปแแแ แแแแปแแแแแผแแแถแแแแแแแแแแ แแ แถแแแแถแแแฒแแแแฝแแแแแแผแแแแแถแแแแแแ แฒแแแแแแแแแแแแแแพแแแ แแแแปแแแแแฌแแแแธแ แแแแแแแกแแแแแแแแถแแแพแแทแ แแแแปแแแแแผแแแถแแแแแแแแแแ แแแแแ แแฒแแแแแแแถแแ แแแฝแแฃแ แแผแแ แแแแแถแแแแธแแแแแถแแแฝแ แแแแปแแแแแผแแแถแแแแแแแแแแ แแแแแแผแแฒแแแแ แแแแพแแแแแแ แแแแแถแแแแแแแแ แแแแแแแแแถแแแแแแแ แ แแแแแแแแธแแแแปแแแแแผแแแถแแแแแแแแแแ แแแแแแผแแฒแแแแ แแถแแแแแแถแแแแแพแแแ แแ แแแแแถแแแแ แแ แแแแแแแทแแแ แแแแปแแแแแแแแถแแแแแแแ
แแ แแแแถแแกแฉแงแฉ แแแแแแแแแแถแแแถแแแถแแ แผแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแถแแแแแแ แแแแแแแแแแปแแแทแแแแแธแแทแแแถแแแแแแ แแถแแแ แแ แแแแปแแแแแถแแขแ แกแฅ แแแแธแแแแปแแแถแแแแฝแแแแแแแถแ แแแแแถแแแบ แแทแแแถแแแธแแแถแแแแแธแแแแ แแแแแถแแแแแแแแปแแแถแแแแแแแ แ แทแแแแแแแถแแแ แแแแธแแแแแแแถแแแแแแ แแแแแแแ แแผแแทแแแแแถแ แแปแแขแแแแแแถแ แแแแปแแแถแแแแ แแแแแแแแแทแแแถแแ แแแแแแแแแแแแแแแพแ แแแแถแ แแพแแแแธแ แทแแแ แนแแแธแแทแแแ แผแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแ แแถแ แปแแแแแแแแฟแแแแถแแแแแแแแปแแ แแแ แถแแแทแแขแถแ แแแแแแแ แแถแ แแแขแผแแแแแปแแแแแปแแ แแแฝแแขแแถแแแแแแผแแแถแแแแแแแแแแ แแ แถแแแแแแ แแแแแถแแแแแแแถแแแแแพแแแแแธแแแผแแแแแแ แผแแ
แแแแแแแแ แแแ แแ แแถแแแแแบแแแแ
แถแแแถแแแผแ
แแถ แแแแแแแแแแแ แแแแแถแแ แแแถแแแแแแแแแฝแแแแแถแ แแพแแแถแแ
แแแแแแแแถแ
แแแฟแแแแแ แ
แถแแ แแถแแทแแแ
Tep Phan
My name is Tep Phan, a 78-year-old resident of Kandal Village, Anlong Reap Commune, Veal Veng District, Pursat Province. I was born in Talo Village, Talo Commune, Bakan District, Pursat Province. I was married to Sek Chhoun, who was captured and executed during the Khmer Rouge regime. I am the mother of ten children, five of whom passed away due to illness. My parents, Vit and Ses An, are both deceased. I am the eldest of seven siblings (three brothers and four sisters) of whom nine have died, including four brothers and three sisters.
When I was a child, I attended school up to the 12th grade at Ta Lo Primary School, located in Ta Lo Village, Ta Lo Commune, Bakan District, Pursat Province. However, I was forced to discontinue my studies due to my familyโs financial hardship, as many of my siblings were also unable to continue their education. After leaving school, I assisted my mother with farming, household chores, and caring for my younger siblings. I also gathered small watermelons and cucumbers to sell to help support my family.
On April 17, 1975, the Khmer Rouge army overthrew the regime of General Lon Nol. Following their victory in Phnom Penh, I witnessed the Khmer Rouge forces entering and taking full control of my village. Shortly after, they began conducting background investigations on the villagers. Many individuals who had served as soldiers under the Lon Nol regime were identified, captured, and executed. One of my uncles was among those killed, as he had previously served as a paratrooper. After completing these investigations, the Khmer Rouge established cooperatives in the village, instructing people to pool their resources, live communally, work collectively, and eat together under the new regimeโs policies.
During the Khmer Rouge regime, the army was divided into units for children, combatants, and the elderly. As a teenager, I was recruited into a mobile unit of about 200 to 300 members, later assigned to a smaller work group of 12 people under the leadership of a group leader. The mobile unit was led by a woman named Neary Vat. My first task was to dig a canal from Ta Lok Village to Prahal Village, located in Talo Commune, present day Talo Senchey District, Pursat Province. After completing the canal, I was transferred to work on the construction of the Damnak Chheu Kram Dam in Prek 1 Village, Sam Rong Commune, Phnom Kravanh District. Conditions were extremely harsh as I had little time to rest, and meals consisted only of steamed rice withwater lilies and morning glory sour soup. I worked on the dam for ten months, but it collapsed shortly after its completion. Everyone involved was terrified, fearing the Khmer Rouge would punish or kill us for the failure. After the dam collapsed, approximately two days later, I and about 30 others were evacuated to Battambang Province by Brother Moeng, a Khmer Rouge soldier from Phnom Penh. Upon arrival, Brother Moeng assigned me and the group to work in a towel factory, where I remained employed for one year. Afterward, I decided to leave the factory and moved to live with my aunt, Um Sien, in Slorkram Village, Slorkram Commune, Svay Chek District, Battambang Province (now part of Banteay Meanchey Province). Two months after leaving the factory, I was recruited by the Khmer Rouge to join the Womenโs unit in Division 2, based in Phsar Leu, Battambang Province; however, I do not recall the name of the division manager. Upon joining, I was assigned to the cooksโ station to prepare rice for the soldiers, and I was also tasked with transporting grain to Khmer Rouge forces stationed in Mong Russey District. After returning to Phsar Leu, the Khmer Rouge arranged my marriage as part of a group of 30 couples. Following the marriage, I was sent to work in the fields at the Battambang provincial airport, while my husband was assigned to the artillery unit at Banteay Romchek, also in Battambang Province.
In 1979, when the Vietnamese soldier arrived in Battambang Province, my husband and I had nowhere to flee. In 2015, my husband passed away due to illness and poverty. Following his death, I decided to relocate from Battambang Province to Kandal Village, Anlong Reap Commune, Veal Veng District, Pursat Province, where I have been farming to sustain my livelihood ever since. The memory I hold most dearly and will never forget is the tragic fate of two of my younger brothers, who were captured and executed by the Khmer Rouge for picking sprouted coconuts to eat.
Currently, Tep Phan suffers from chronic illnesses such as gastrointestinal problems, joint pain, cerebral atrophy, and high blood pressure.
Story summary by: Chan Narith
แแแแปแแแแแแ แแแทแ แแผ แแแแแแแปแ แขแถแแปแฆแฃแแแแถแ แแถแแแแแปแแแแแพแแแ แแแแปแแแผแแทแแแแแแแแถ แแแแปแแแแแแแแ แแแแแแแแแแแแแแบแ แแ แแ แปแแแแแแ แแแแปแแแแแแ แแแแปแแแผแแทแแแแแถแ แแปแแขแแแแแแแถแ แแแแปแแแถแแแแ แแแแแแแแแทแแแถแแแ แ แแแแปแแแถแแแปแแแแแแแแพแ แแแแถแ แแถแแแแ แแทแแแแกแผแแ แแแแปแแแถแแชแแปแแแแแแ แแแธ (แแแแถแแ) แแทแแแแแถแแแแแแ แแแ (แแแแถแแ)แ แแแแปแแแถแแแแแแขแผแแแแแแพแแ แแแฝแแฆแแถแแ (แแแแธแฃแแถแแ)แ แแแแปแแแถแแผแแแธแขแแแแปแแแแแฝแแถแแ แแแแแขแผแแแแแแแแแปแแแ แแแแแถแแแถแแแธแแทแแ แแแฝแแฅแแถแแ แแทแแแแแถแแแ แแแฝแแแแแถแแแแแแแถแแแถแแแแแแถแแแแแแถแแแแแแแแแปแแแแแ แแแ แแแแ แแแแแแแแแแแแแแแปแแแแแแ แแปแ แแถแ แขแถแแปแฅแคแแแแถแ แแทแแแถแแแผแแ แแแฝแแงแแถแแ (แแแแธแฅแแถแแ)แ
แแ แแแแแแแแแแแถแแแแแแแทแแ แชแแปแแแแแแแแแปแ แแถแแ แทแแแ แนแแแแแแแแแธ แแทแแแแแแแแปแแแแแแแแแธแแถแแแแผแแแแถแแแปแแถแแ แแถแแแแแถแแแแแแ แชแแปแแแแแ แแแแปแ แแแแแแแทแแแแแธแแ แแแแแแถแแแปแแถแ (แฌแแแพ) แแ แแพแแแแแ แ แแแแแแแแถแแแแแ แแแแปแ แแแแแแแปแแแแแแแแพแแแแแ แแแแถแแแ แแแแปแแแผแแทแแแแพแแ แแแแปแ แแแแถแแแแทแแแแแธแกแพแแแ แแแแแแถแแแปแแถแแแถแแฝแ แชแแปแ แแถแแแแแ แแแฃแแ แคแแพแแ แแแแ แแธแแปแแแแแแแแแแถแ แแแแปแ แแทแแชแแปแ แแถแแแถแแแแแนแแแแแผแ แแแแแแแ แแแแ แแถแแแ แแแแแปแแถแ แแแแปแ แแทแแแถแแ แผแแแแแแผแแแแแแแแ แแแแแแแผแแทแแแแปแแแแแปแแแแแทแแแแแปแแแแแพแแแแแแแแถแแแแธแแทแแแแถแแแถแ แถแ แแแ แแแ แแถแแฝแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแ แแ
แแ แ แแแแแแแแแถแแกแฉแงแ แแแแแแแถแแกแฉแงแฅ แแถแแแแแแ แแแแแแแแแถแแแแแแถแแแแแแแ แแแแปแแแผแแทแแแแแแแแถ แแแแปแแแแแฝแแถแแแแแแแแแปแแแถแแแแแแแแแแแฝแแ แแแแธแแผแแทแแแแแแแแถ แแพแแแแธแแ แแแแแ แแแแปแแแผแแทแแนแแแแแแ แชแแปแแแแแถแแแแแ แแแแปแ แแถแแแธแแแแแแแแแแ แแถแแแถแแแแแ แแทแแแถแแแถแแแขแผแ แแแแแถแแแแถแแแแแแฝแแแธแแถแแแแแแถแแแแแแถแแแแแแแแแแแถแ แถแแขแถแแแแทแแแถแแแ แขแแกแปแแแแแแถแแฝแแแแแถ แแแถแแทแแแแแฝแแถแแขแแปแแแแแแแแแปแแแถแแแขแแ แแทแแแแขแผแแแแแปแแแแแแแแแปแ แแถแแแแแแแแผแแแถแแแแแถแแแแถแแแแแแแธแแทแ แแแแแถแแแถแแแแแแถแแแแแแถแแแแแแ
แแ แ แแแแแแแแแถแแกแฉแงแฅ แแแแ แปแแแแแถแแกแฉแงแจ แแแแปแ แแแแผแแแถแแแแแแแแแแ แแ แถแแแฒแแแ แผแแแแแปแแแแแปแแถแแแผแแทแแแแแแแแถ แแแแแถแแแแแแ แแถ แแแ แแถแแแแแถแแแแแปแแถแแ แแถ แแแ แแถแแแแแปแแแแแพแแแ แแแแปแแแผแแทแแแแแแแแถ แแทแแแถแแ แแทแแแแแผแแแผแแ แแแแผแแกแพแ แแแแปแแแแแผแแแถแ แแถ แแแ แแแแพแฒแแแแถแแแแแแแแแถแแแแแแ แแพแแขแถแ แแแแ แแทแแแถแแแแธแแแแผแ แแพแแแแธแแถแแแแแ แผแแแแแถแแแแพแแถแแธแแถแแแแแแแ แชแแปแแแแแ แแแแปแ แแแแผแแแถแแแแแแแแแแ แแแแแพแฒแแแแแแพแแถแ แแแแแแธ (แแพแแแแแแแแแแแธ)แ แ แแแแแแแแถแ แแแแผแแแถแแแแแแแแแแ แแแแแพแฒแแแแพแแแแแบแแแแ แแทแแแแแพแแแแ แแ แแแแผแแแ แแถแแแ แแแแแ แแแแ แแธแแถแแแถแแแแแพแแธ แแแแปแ แแแแผแแแถแแแแแแแแแแ แแแแแพแฒแแแแแแแธ แแพแแแแแแแแแถแแแแแแแแแแแ แแแแปแ แแแแผแแแแแพแแถแแแถแแ แถแแแแธแแแแแฆแแแแนแ แแ แผแแแแแแแแแกแกแแแแนแ แแแแแถแแ แผแแแแแแแแ แแทแแ แปแแแแแพแแถแแถแแ แถแแแแธแแแแแกแแ แแแแแขแแแแ แแ แผแแแแแแแแแฅแแแแถแ แแพแแแถแแแแแแถแแ แผแแแแแแแแแแแแ แแปแแแแแกแพแแแแแแแแแ แแแงแแแ แแแแปแ แแแแผแแแแแแแ แแแแแธแแ แผแแแแแแแแแกแ แแแ แแพแแขแถแ แ แผแแแแแแถแแแถแแ แแแแปแ แ แผแแขแถแ แถแแแทแแแถแแแแแแแแแแถแแแแแแแ แแถแแแแแแถแแแถแแฝแแแแ แฌแแแกแผแ แ แผแแแถแแแถแแฝแแแแแแแแแแทแแแแแพแแแแแแแถแแแแแแแ แแแแแแแแแแแปแแแฝแแแแแแถแ แ แแแแปแแแถแแ แผแแแแแขแแแ แแแฝแแแฝแแแแแแ แแแแแถแแแแแแแแ แแแแแแแแแ แแแแ แ แแแแปแแแปแแถแแแ แแแแแปแ แแแแแทแแถแแแถ แฒแแแแแแนแแแแแพแแถแแแถแแฒแแแแถแแแแขแ แแแแแถแแแแ แแแแปแ แแทแแแปแแถแแแฝแแ แแแฝแ แแแแผแแแถแแแแแแแแแแ แแแแ แแแแธแแผแแทแแแแแแแแถ แแแแปแแแแแแแแ แแแแแแแแแแแแแแบ แแแแ แผแแแ แแถแแ แแแแปแแแแแถแแแแ แแแแแแแถแแแแ แแแแปแ แแทแแแปแแถแแแถแแแขแแ แแแแผแแแถแแแแแแแแแแ แแแแแพแฒแแแแถแแแแแแแแ แแผแแทแแแแแแแแฝแ แแแแแแแถแแแแ แแแแแถแแแแแแขแถแ แถแ แแบแแถแแแถแแแแแแแถแแแผแ แแ แแผแแทแแแแแแแแถแแแแ แแแแแแแแแแ แแแคแแ แฅแแ แแแแแแแ แแแแปแ แแแแผแแแถแแแแแแแแแแ แแแแ แแแแธแแแแแแแถแแแ แแแแแแแ แผแแแแแถแแแแแแปแแแแแพแแแทแแ แแแแปแ แแแแผแแแถแแแแแแแแแแ แแแแแแถแฒแแแแถแแขแแแ แแพแแแ แแทแแแแแแนแแแแแแ แแพแแขแแแ แฒแแแแถแแแแขแ แแแแแถแแแแแแขแถแ แถแ แแแแแแแแแ แแแถแแ แแแขแแแแแฒแแแแถแแแถแ แฌแแแแ แผแแแแแแแแฝแแฏแแแ แแถแแแแแปแแ
แแพแแแแแถแแกแฉแงแฉ แแแแแแ แแแแปแ แแแแปแแแแแแนแแแแแแ แแพแแขแแแ แแแแแแแแแแถแแแถแแ แผแแแแแแแแผแแทแแแแแแแแถ แแแแปแ แแถแแฎแขแแแแแผแแทแแทแแถแแแแแแแถ แแแแแถแแ แผแแแแแแแพแแถแ แ แถแแแแแแแ แแทแแแแแถแ แแแแแแแแแแถแแ แถแแแแแแฝแแแผแ แแแแแแแแแ แแแแ แแพแแแแแปแแแแแแ แแแแแแถแแแ แแ แแแแ แแทแแแถแแแแแแถแแขแแแแแผแแทแ แแแแธแแผแแทแแแแแแแแถแแ แแถแแแแธแแฝแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแบแ แแแแปแ แแแแถแ แแทแแแแขแผแแ แแถแแแแแแแแฝแแแแแแ แแถแแแแแแแฝแแ แแแฝแ แแแแแแแแแแแแแแบ แแทแแแทแแ แแถแแแแแกแแแแแแแแปแแแแแพแแแทแแแแแแแ แแแแแแแกแแแแถแ แแแแแแแ แแแแปแ แแทแแแแแถแแแถแแแแแแแแกแแแแแแผแแทแแแแพแแแทแ แแพแแแถแแแฝแแแปแแแถแแฝแแชแแปแแ
แแ แแแแถแแกแฉแจแค แแแแปแ แแถแแ แผแแแแแพแแแแแแแแแแแแแแถแแทแแถแแแแแแแแถแแถแแแแแแแแแแแถแแถแแทแแแแแแปแแถ แแทแแแถแแแ แ แแแนแแ แถแแแแปแแแแแถแแแแแแแแแแแแ แแแแปแแแแแแถแแขแแแแแแแแแ แแแแทแแแแแปแแแแแปแแแแแ แแแแแแแแแแแแแแบแขแแแแแแแแแกแแแ แแแแแแแ แแแแปแ แแทแแแแแแแ แแแฝแแกแ แแถแแ แแแแผแแแถแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแ แแ แถแแแแแแฝแแแธแแแแปแแแแแ แแทแแแแแแผแแแ แแถแแแแแแปแแแ แแแแฝแแ แแแแแแแแแแแแ-แแ แแพแแแแธแฒแแแ แผแแแฝแแแถแแฝแแแแแแแแถแแแแแแแแแแแ แแ แแแแปแแแถแแแแแแแ แแแแปแแแแแแแถแแแแแแกแกแก แแแแปแแแแแแแแแแแกแก แแแแแถแแแแแแ แแถแแ แแถแแแแแถแแแแแแแถแแแกแกแก แแทแแแแแแถแแแแแแแแแแ แแแปแแ แแแแแถแแแแ แแแแปแ แแถแแ แผแแแแแแแแปแแแแแแแปแแแแแแผแแทแแถแแแแแแแนแแแแแแแแแแแถแแแ แแแแปแแแแแปแแแแแแแแแฝแ แแแแปแแงแแแแปแแแ แแแแปแแชแแแถแแ แแทแแแแแปแแแแแ แแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแบแขแแแแแแแแแแถแ แแแพแแแแแถแแ
แแ แแแแถแแกแฉแฉแฃ แแแแปแ แแถแแแพแแแถแแแแธแ แแทแแแแแแฝแแแแแแแแพแแแแถแแแแแแแแแแ แแแแแถแแแแธแแแแแฝแ แแแแปแ แแทแแแถแแ แผแแแฝแแแแแแปแแแแแแแปแแแแแแผแแทแแแแแแแกแพแแ แแฟแแแแถแแแแแแแแปแแแถแแ แแ แถแ แแทแแแทแแขแถแ แแแแแแแ แแถแแแแแปแแแแแแแแแแแแแแ แ แแบแแ แขแแกแปแแแแแแแแปแ แแ แแถแแปแแถแแแแแผแแแถแแแแแแแแแแ แแแแแพแฒแแแแแแพแแถแแแถแแแแถแแแแแถแแแแแถแแ แแถแแทแแแแแถแแแแทแแแแขแถแ แถแแแทแแแถแแแแแแแแแแถแแ แแแแแแแแผแแฒแแแ แผแแแแแขแแแแแแแแแฃแแแแถแแ
แแแแแแแแ แแแทแ
แแผ แแถแแแแทแแถแ แแทแแแถแแแแแบแแแแ
แถแแแถแ แแบแแแแบแแฝแ(แแแขแแแแแถแแแแถแ)แ
แแแแแแแแถแ
แแแฟแแแแแ แแฟแ แแแแธแแปแ
Pech To
My name is Pech To. I am a 63-year-old male, born in Prey Kla Village, Basedth District, Kampong Speu Province. I currently reside in Kandal Village, Anlong Reap Commune, Veal Veng District, Pursat Province. I work as a farmer, cultivating corn and cassava. My parents, Mey and Kong, are both deceased. I have six siblings, including three sisters, and I am the second child in my family. Five of my siblings are still living, while one sibling died as a result of bombing during the Lon Nol era. My wife, Chum Nam, is 54 years old, and we have seven children, five of whom are girls.
During the Sangkum Reastr Niyum regime, my father raised elephants and served as a traditional medicine teacher. Each day, he would ride an elephant to the mountains to gather medicinal roots. My mother worked as a farmer in our hometown. I accompanied my father on the elephant on about three or four occasions to collect traditional medicine. In addition to harvesting medicinal plants, my father and I planted betel leaves for sale. I did not attend school as a child because our village was caught in the midst of the civil conflict between the Lon Nol government and the Khmer Rouge.
Between 1970 and 1975, Prey Kla Village was subjected to bombings from planes. To escape the attacks, my family fled to Boeung Sre Village. My parents dug trenches in the rice fields and along the riverbanks to seek shelter from the bombings carried out by American forces. Tragically, during this period, my maternal uncleโs entire family and one of my younger brothers were killed in the bombings.
Between 1975 and the end of 1978, I was assigned by the Khmer Rouge to the childrenโs group in Prey Kla Village, under the leadership of Ta Nem, a gentle man from our village. Initially, Ta Nem tasked me with cutting tree branches, collecting cow dung, and digging soil to prepare fertilizer for the rice fields. My father was assigned as an elephant herder, while my mother was compelled to clear and cultivate the rice fields and transplant seedlings within the cooperative. In addition to making fertilizer, I was required to dig soil and help build dams, which was very demanding work. My daily schedule was long and exhausting: I worked from 6 AM to 11 AM, took a short break for porridge, then resumed work from 1PM to 5PM, followed by another porridge break. At night, around 7 PM., I had to continue carrying dirt until 10 PM before resting. Food was scarce so I mostly ate porridge mixed with corn or potatoes, accompanied almost daily by water lily soup. Occasionally, about once a week, I would have a dessert.
Every night, the Khmer Rouge would gather a group of children for meetings, urging them to work hard and give their best effort. Subsequently, I, along with other children from Prey Kla Village, Parset District, Kampong Speu Province, was sent to Tram Kak District, Takeo Province. There, we were forced to cut down the forest in Prey Kdouch Village, Takeo Province. Food remained as scarce as it was in Prey Kla Village. After approximately four to five months, the Khmer Rouge transferred me back to my hometown, where I was ordered to plant and tend sugarcane, as well as fetch water to irrigate the crops. The Khmer Rouge distributed rice to the groups to prepare porridge among themselves.
In early 1979, while I was drawing water to irrigate the sugarcane fields, the Vietnamese soldiers arrived in Prey Kla Village. I overheard villagers speaking fearfully about how the Vietnamese intended to torture people and cut open their stomachs. Fearing that I would be arrested by them, I fled to find my mother at the cooperative and joined the villagers from Prey Kla as they fled to the provincial capital of Kampong Speu. My mother, siblings, and I took refuge in several pagodas throughout Kampong Speu Province, too afraid to return home. After a year, my mother and I returned to our hometown, where we were reunited with my father.
In 1984, I enlisted in the soldiers of the Government of the Peopleโs Republic of Kampuchea and underwent military tactics training for one month at Anlong Chrey Fort in Thpong District, Kampong Speu Province. Subsequently, I, along with ten other soldiers, was captured by Khmer Rouge forces in Thpong District and sent to the Khao Phlu camp on the Cambodian Thai border to join their ranks. I served as a soldier in Regiment No. 111, Division No. 11, under the command of Raing, the regiment commander, and Mon, the division commander. Following this, I engaged in combat against the Vietnamese soldiers across several districts in Kampong Speu Province, including Phnom Sruoch, Oudong, Aoral, and Thpong, for many years.
In 1993, I stepped on a landmine and sustained a serious leg injury, which prevented me from participating in any further combat operations. One memory from the Khmer Rouge era that remains vivid and unforgettable is the extremely hard labor I was forced to endure as a child, coupled with severe food shortages that left me surviving largely on porridge for three years.
Currently, Pech To is disabled and suffers from a chronic illness called tuberculosis (with coughing up blood).
Story summary by: Moeurn Sreynoch
แแแแปแแแแแแ แแผ แแ แแแแแแแธ แขแถแแปแฆแฃแแแแถแ แแแแแแแปแแแแแแแแพแ แแแแถแแ แแแแปแแแถแแแแแปแแแแแพแแแ แแผแแทแแถแแแแ แแปแแแพแแแถแแ แแแแปแแงแแปแแแ แแแแแแแแแแแแแแบแ แแ แแ แปแแแแแแแแแแแแแปแแแแแแ แแผแแทแแแแแถแ แแปแแขแแแแแแแถแ แแแแปแแแถแแแแ แแแแแแแแแทแแแถแแแ แแแแปแแแถแแชแแปแแแแแแ แแปแ(แแแแถแแ) แแแแถแแแแแแ แแถแ (แแแแถแแ)แ แแแแปแแแถแแแแแแขแผแแ แแแฝแแคแแถแแแแ แแแแปแแแแแแถแแแแแธแ แแแฝแแขแแถแแแ แชแแปแแแแแปแแแถแแแแแแแแแแธแข แแทแแแถแแแผแแ แแแฝแแฅแแถแแแแ แแแแปแแแแแแถแแแแแธแฃแแถแแแแแแ แแแแปแแแถแแแแแธแแแแแ แกแนแ แแธแ (แแแแถแแ) แแแแแถแแแแแบแแแแพแแแถแแแธแกแ แแแแถแแแปแแ แแแแปแแแถแแแผแแ แแแฝแแคแแถแแแแ แแแแปแแแแแแถแแแแแธแแแแถแแ แแผแแแแแแแแแแปแแแถแแแแแแถแแแฝแ แแถแแแขแแแ แพแแ
แแ แแแแแปแแถแแแแแปแแแแแแ แแถแแฝแแชแแปแแแทแแแแแถแแ แปแ แแธแแแแแแแแแถแแแแแแแแแปแแแถแแแแแถแแแ แแแแถแแแแธแแแแปแแแพแแแถแแแแแแแแฃแแแแแแแแแแแ แชแแปแแแแแปแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแพแแแแแแพแแแแธแแแแแแแแแแแแธแแแถแแแแแฝแแถแแ แแ แขแถแแปแงแแแแถแแแแแปแแแถแแ แผแแแแแชแแปแแแถแแฒแแแ แผแแแแแแแแถแแแแธแกแขโแ แถแแ แแ แแถแแถแแแแแทแแแแถแแถแแแแ แแ แแแแแแแแแแแแแแบแ แแแแแถแแแแแแแแแฝแแแแแถแแแแแปแแแถแแแแแแแ แ แทแแแแแแแแแ แแแแแถแแแแแแแฝแแถแแแถแแแธแแแถแแแแแแแถแแแแแถแแแ แแแแแแแแแแแแแแ แแแแปแแแ แแแแแแฝแแแพแแแแขแผแแแพแแแแธแฒแแแชแแปแแแทแแแแแถแแ แปแแแ แแแแพแแแแแ
แแ แแแแแแธแกแจ แแแแธแแถ แแแแถแแกแฉแงแ แแแแแแแถแแแแแปแ แแแ แแแ แแถแแแแแพแแแแแแแแ แถแแแแแแถแแแแแแแแ แแแแแแแ แแธแ แแปแ แแ แแแแปแแแผแแทแแถแแแแ แแแฝแแแแแแถแแแแแแถแแแแแแถแแแแแแแแถแแแแแถแแแแธแแแแแ แแแแถแ แถแแขแถแแแแทแ แแทแแแแแพแฒแแแแผแ แแถแแแผแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแถแแแแแถแแ แแแพแแแแแแนแแแแแแถแแแ แแแแแถแแแแแแแแแแ แแแแปแแแผแแทแแถแแแขแแแแแแแแแถแ แแถแแแแแถแแแแแ แแแแแ แแถแแแถแแแแแแแแแแแถแแแแธแแแแแแแแแแแแแถแแแแถแแแแแแฝแแ แแแแแแแแแแแแแถแแแแถแแแแแถแแแแแแแแแ แแถแแแถแแแแแแขแแ แแทแแแแแถแแแ แแแแปแแแผแแทแแถแแแแถแแแแแถแแแแแแถแแแแปแแแแแแแแ แ แแ แขแแกแปแแแแแถแแกแฉแงแฃ แแแแแแปแแแแแแแแแปแแแแแถแแแแทแแแแแแแแแ แแแแปแแแผแแทแ แแแฝแแขแแถแแแแถแแแถแแแแแถแแพแแแแแถแแแแแ แแถแแแถแแแแแแแปแแ แแแแถแแแแแแแแแ แแแแแแแขแถแแแแทแแแถแแแแแแแแถแแแแแแถแแแแถแแแแแถแแแถแ แถแแแแแแแแแแแแแแถแแฒแแแแแแแแปแแแแแแแแแปแแแทแแแแแแแแ แแแฝแแขแแถแแแแแแแแแถแแแแถแแแแแแแธแแทแแแ แแแแแถแแแถแแแแแแ แแแแแ แแแแแแแแแแแแแแถแแแแแแถแแแแแแแ แแแแปแแแผแแทแแถแแแแแแถแแแแ แถแแ แแแแปแแแแแผแแแแแแ แแถแแแถแแแแแแแ แผแแแถแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแ แแแแแแแแถแแแธแแแแปแแแแแแแแแ
แแ แแแแแแธแกแง แแแแแแถ แแแแถแแกแฉแงแฅ แแแแแแแแแ แแแถแแแถแแแแแแแแธแแแแปแแแแแแแแแแถแแแแแแแแแแแ แแแแฝแแถแแแแแแแแปแแแทแแแแแแถแแแแถแ แแแพแแแถแแแแแแผแแแถแแแแแแแแแแ แแแแแถแแแฒแแแแ แแแแแ แแแแปแแแผแแทแแถแแแแแแทแแ แแแแถแแแแแแแแแถแแแ แผแแแแแแแแปแแแผแแท แแแแแแแแแ แแแถแแ แถแแแแแแพแแแแแแพแแแถแแ แแแแแแแแแแแถแแแฒแแแแแแแถแแแแถแแแขแแแ แถแแแแแแพแแแแแพแแถแแแถแแแฝแแแแแถ แ แผแแแฝแแแแแถ แแแแถแแแแ แแฝแแแแแถ แแทแแแแแ แแแแถแแแถแแแแแแแแแถแแแแแแแแแแแ แแพแแแธแแแแแ แแแแแแแแแแแแ แแแถแแแแแแแแแแแผแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแทแแแแแถแแแแแแแถแแแแแแแแถแแแแฝแแแแแถแแถแแแขแแแ แแแแแถแแแแแแปแแแแแผแแแถแแแแแแแแแแ แแแแแแแแธแแแแฝแแถแแฒแแแ แผแแแแแพแแถแแแ แแแแปแแแแแปแแถแแแ แแแแปแแแผแแทแแถแแแแแ แ แแแแแชแแปแแแแแแแแแปแแแแแผแแแแแแแแแแ แแ แถแแแฒแแแแแแพแแถแแแถแแแถแแฝแแแแแแถแแแ แถแแแแแ แแแแปแแแผแแทแ แแ แแแแปแแแฝแแแแแปแแถแแแถแแแปแแถแแแแแ แแแ แแแฝแแกแ แ แแถแแแแถแ แ แพแแแแแแแแแถแแแขแแแแแแแแแผแแแถแแแแแแแแแแ แแ แถแแแฒแแแแแแพแแถแแแถแแแผแ แแถ แแแ แแแแ แแแแขแถแแแ แแปแแแทแแแแแแ แแแแแ แแแแแถแแแแแแปแแแแแผแแแถแแแแแแแแแแ แแแแแถแแแแธแแผแแทแแถแแแแ แฒแแแแ แแแแพแแถแแถแแแ แแผแแทแแนแแแแ แแแแแ แแแแแผแแทแแนแแแแแแแผแแแแแแแแแแ แแแแแพแแแแปแแแทแแแปแแถแแแถแ แแแพแแแถแแแแแถแแแแถแแแแแแแพแแแแธแแแแธแแแแพแแถแ แแแแถแแ แแแแแแแธแแแแถแแแแแแ แพแแแฝแ แแถแแแแแแปแแแแแผแแแพแแแถแแแแพแแแพแแแแแแแแถแแแแแแแแแแแแพแแแแธแแแแแแพแแธแแถแแแแแแแ แแ แแแแปแแแฝแแแแแแแแแปแแแแแผแแ แผแแแแแพแแถแแแถแแ แถแแแแธแแแแแงแแแแนแแแ แผแแแแแแแแแกแกแแแแแแแแแแแพแแแถแแ แผแแแแแฌแแแแถแ แแ แ แแแแแแแแแแกแขแแแแก แแแแแแแแแแแปแแถแแแถแแแขแแแแแแผแแ แผแแแแแขแแแธแแแแแแแแถแแแฃแฃแแฝแแแทแแแแแแ แแ แแแแแกโแ แผแแแแแพแแถแแแถแแแแแแแแแแ แผแแแแแแแแแฅแแแแถแ แแถแแแแแแแแแถแแแ แแถแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแฝแแ แแแแแแแแแแแแแแปแแแแแผแแแแแแแแแแ แแแแแถแแแแถแแแถแแฒแแแแแแแแพแแ แแแแแแแแแแ แทแแแ แนแแแแแผแ แแพแแแแธแแแแแนแแฒแแแ แถแแแแแแแแถแแแแแผแแ
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แปแแแทแแแถแแแแแแแแแแถแแแ แ แผแแแแแแแแแถแแแแแแปแแแฝแแแแแแแแฝแแแถแแแแแธแแแแแแปแแแแแแ
แแแแแแแแถแ
แแแฟแแแแแ แกแถแ แแแแธแแธแ
Dou Nov
My name is Dou Nov, a 63-year-old female farmer. I was born in Raing Te Village, Cheung Roas Commune, Oudong District, Kampong Speu Province. I currently reside in Kandal Village, Anlong Reap Commune, Veal Veng District, Pursat Province. My parents, Sok and Sam, are both deceased. I have four siblings, including two sisters. My father had a second wife and five children, three of whom are girls. My husband, Loeng Lim, passed away from liver disease ten years ago. I have four children, including one daughter, all of whom are married.
When I was a child, I lived with my father and stepmother, as my mother passed away when I was only three months old. My father worked diligently in the fields to support our family. At the age of seven, I was enrolled in Grade 1 at Raing Te Primary School in Kampong Speu Province. After completing one year of schooling, I had to discontinue my education due to my familyโs financial difficulties. Following this, I stayed at home to help care for my younger siblings, allowing my father and stepmother to focus on their work in the fields.
When I was a child, I lived with my father and stepmother because my mother died when I was three months old. My father worked constantly in the fields to support our family. At the age of seven, I was enrolled in Grade 12 of the old education system at Raing Te Primary School in Kampong Speu Province. After studying for one year, I had to stop my education due to my familyโs extreme poverty. After leaving school, I stayed at home to help care for my younger siblings so that my father and stepmother could work in the fields.
On March 18, 1970, General Lon Nol staged a coup to overthrow Prince Norodom Sihanouk. Following this, Raing Te Village was heavily bombed by American aircraft, causing extensive damage to the property of residents. Fearful for their safety, the villagers fled to live in the rice fields, where they dug trenches to hide from the attacks. Once the villagers had relocated, Raing Te became quiet and deserted. In 1973, tragedy struck when one of my brothers and two other children from the village were grazing cows in the rice fields and were killed by a sudden bombing by American planes. The bombings on Raing Te Village occurred regularly, forcing me to live in the rice fields until the Khmer Rouge took control of Phnom Penh.
On April 17 1975, the Khmer Rouge successfully took control of Phnom Penh. My family, along with many others, was relocated by the Khmer Rouge to live in Raing Te Village. Upon arrival, the Khmer Rouge began establishing cooperatives, instructing everyone to work, eat, and live collectively, while assigning tasks to people of all ages. Additionally, the Khmer Rouge confiscated all valuable possessions from the residents. I was separated from my family and assigned to work in a childrenโs group in Raing Te Village, while my father was tasked with working alongside the base people. In each childrenโs group, there were approximately 100 children, all assigned by the Khmer Rouge to perform tasks such as weeding and cleaning around the cooperative. I was later transferred from Raing Te Village to work in Toek Lorng Village. Upon arrival, the Khmer Rouge ordered me and many other children to clear the forest to prepare land for farming. After clearing the forest, I was tasked with cutting down bushes to use as fertilizer for the rice fields. My daily work schedule was grueling, from 7 a.m. until 11 PM, after which I could eat porridge or rice. Between 12 PM and 1PM, all children were required to study the 33 alphabet letters and vowels. After the break, I resumed work until 5 PM, taking short rests as needed. Later, I was transferred to a pig farm where I collected water to assist the elders in preparing porridge and rice for the pigs.
In 1977, the Khmer Rouge recruited strong children to assist the mobile unit in repairing the canal in Toek Lorng Village by digging, carrying, and placing soil over the dam. After working on the Toek Lorng dam for approximately three months, I was transferred to continue construction on the Peam Lvea Dam. At that time, I was still a child, so the Khmer Rouge did not impose any daily work quotas on me; however, adults were required to meet a daily target of one cubic meter of soil, with rations reduced if they failed to meet this quota. In 1978, I was assigned to the mobile unit to harvest rice along the river, and after harvesting, I carried the rice to the village for threshing. Food was scarce, consisting mainly of porridge mixed with banana leaves and soup made from banana flowers and stems. I continued this work until the Vietnamese soldiers arrived to liberate Cambodia. I then fled from the advancing Vietnamese forces and returned to Raing Te village. I heard rumors that the Vietnamese soldiers was approaching and would capture and kill people, so I fled in fear of their arrival. Later, I encountered the Vietnamese soldiers, who instructed me and others to return to our homes. In 1981, my father arranged my marriage. After getting married, my husband and I worked in the fields to support our family. About a year into our marriage, my husband volunteered to join the Kampuchean United Front for National Salvation and fought against the Khmer Rouge. It was seven months before I saw him again. Eventually, my husband deserted the army, and in 2003, we relocated to Kandal Village. Upon arriving, we cleared the forest to cultivate rice and vegetables for sustenance. Over time, we acquired land and purchased additional plots to continue farming, which we do to this day.
The memory I will never forget from the Khmer Rouge regime is being forced to work as a child laborer while suffering from severe food shortages. I often had only porridge to eat, and even that was provided only irregularly.
Story summary by: Lam Sreynit
แแแแปแแแแแแ แแแ แแแปแ แแแแแแแธ แขแถแแปแฅแฆแแแแถแ แแถแแแแแปแแแแแพแแแ แแแแปแแแผแแทแชแแแถแแ แแปแแแแแแถแแแแ แแแแปแแชแแแถแแ แแแแแแแแแแแแแแบแ แแแแแแแแ แแแแปแ แแแแแ แแแแปแแแผแแทแแแแแถแ แแปแแขแแแแแแแถแ แแแแปแแแถแแแแ แแแแแแแแแทแแแถแแ แแทแแแถแแแปแแแแแแแแพแ แแแแถแแ แแแแปแแแถแแชแแปแแแแแแ แแแปแ แกแแ (แแแ) แแทแแแแแถแแแแแแ แแแ แแแผ (แแแแถแแ)แ แแแแปแแแถแแแแแแขแผแแแแแแพแแ แแแฝแแฆแแถแแ (แแแแธแฅแแถแแ) แ แพแ แแแแปแ แแถแแผแแ แแแแ แแแแถแแธแแแแแ แ แถแแ แแปแ แขแถแแปแฅแจแแแแถแ แแทแแแถแแแผแแ แแแฝแแฆแแถแแ (แแแแธแคแแถแแ)แ
แแถแแแ แแแแแปแแถแ แชแแปแแแแแถแแแแแแแแแปแแแแแแแแปแแแแแแปแแแแแแนแแ แแ แแแแปแแแแแแแแแแแแแแ แ แแแแปแ แแ แแแแแ แแถแแฝแแแแแถแแแ แแแแปแแแ แแแแแแแแปแแแผแแทแชแแแถแแ แแทแแแถแแ แผแแแแแแผแแแแแถแแฝแแขแแแแแถแแแถแแแแแแทแ แแแแแฝแ แแแปแแแแแแทแแแถแแ แแแขแถแ แฌแแแแแแขแแแธแแแแแแ แแแแ แแธแแถแแแแแแผแแแ แแแแปแ แแแแผแแแถแแขแแแแแถแแแแแพแฒแแแแ แแฝแแแพแแแแแปแแถแแแผแ แแแถแแฝแแแถแแแแ แแถแแแ แแแแแแแแปแแแผแแทแชแแแถแแแ แแแแแถแแแแแแขแถแ แถแ แแแแปแแ แผแแแแแแทแแแถแแแแแแแแแแถแแแแแแแแ แชแแปแแแแแ แแแแปแ แแแแผแแแถแแขแแแแแถแแ แถแแแฒแแแแพแแแแแถแแแแแแธ แแธแฏแแแแถแ แแแแผแแแถแแขแแแแแถแแ แถแแแฒแแแแพแแแแแแแแแแแแแบแแแแ แแทแแแปแแขแแแแแ แแแแแแแ แแแแปแ แแแแผแแแถแแขแแแแแถแแแแแแแ แแแแธแแแแถแ แแทแแ แถแแแฒแแแ แผแแแแแปแแแแแปแแถแแแแแแผแแแแแถแแแ แแแแปแ แแถแแแแแแผแแแแแถแแแแแแแแฝแแแแแถแแแ แแแแแแแแแถแแแแถแแแแแแแแแแแแ แ แพแแแแแปแแแ แแแแแแแแแแแแ แแแแปแแแแแแฝแ แแแแปแ แแแแแผแแแแแถแแแแถแแแแแ แแแขแ แแแแถแแแแ แแถแแแแแแปแแแแแถแแแแ แแแแปแแแแแปแแชแแแถแแ แแแแถแแแแแแแแแแแถแแ แผแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแปแแถแ แแแแปแแแถแแแแแแแแแแแฝแแแถแแแแแแถแแแ แแแแธแแแแปแแชแแแถแแแแ แแถแแแแปแแขแแแถแแ แแแแปแแแแแปแแแแแ แแแแแแแแแแแแแแบแ แแแแแถแแแแ แแแแปแ แแถแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแฝแแแ แแแแแ แแถแแฝแแแแแแแแแแ แแแ แแแแปแแแแแปแแแ แแแแฝ แแ แแแแแแแแแแแแ-แแแ
แแ แแแแถแแกแฉแฉแ แแแแปแ แแถแแแแแแถแแแถแแฝแแแแแถแแธแแแแแ แ แถแแ แแปแ แแแแแถแแแแแแแแแแแแแแ แแ แแแแแถแแแแแแแแปแ แแทแแแแแฝแแถแแแถแแ แผแแแแแแแแ แแแแปแแแผแแทแแแแแถแแแ แผแแแแแแแแแแแแแ แแฟแแแแถแแแแแแแแปแ แแถแแ แแ แถแ แแทแแแทแแขแถแ แแแแแแแ แแถแแแ แแแแปแแแแแแแแแแแแแแ แ แแบแแแแปแแแทแแแถแแขแแแธแ แผแแฒแแแแถแแแแขแแแแแแแแถแแแแแแ
แแแแแแแแ แแแ แแแปแ แแถแแแแแบแแแแ
แถแแแถแ แแพแแแถแ แแแแแถแแแแแแพแ แแทแแแทแแแปแแ
แแแแแแแแถแ
แแแฟแแแแแ แแฟแ แแแแธแแปแ
Ket But
My name is Ket But, a 56-year-old female born in Aoral Village, Trapeang Chou Commune, Aoral District, Kampong Speu Province. I currently reside in Kandal Village, Anlong Reap Commune, Veal Veng District, Pursat Province, where I work as a farmer. My father, Pok Leng, is still alive, and my mother, Som Bou, is deceased. I have six siblings, five of whom are sisters, and I am the eldest. My husband, Chan Nom, is 58 years old, and together we have six children, including four daughters.
When I was a child, my parents worked as resin burners. During the Khmer Rouge era, I lived with my mother in a cooperative in Aoral Village and attended limited schooling provided by Angkar, but I did not learn to read or write. In addition to schooling, I was assigned by Angkar to assist with caring for young children alongside grandmothers in the cooperative. My diet was insufficient, and I often did not eat enough porridge. My father was assigned by Angkar to herd buffaloes, while my mother was tasked with cleaning rice fields and pounding rice. Later, I was separated from my mother by Angkar and placed in a childrenโs group responsible for transporting bombs. Due to my young age and the heaviness of the bombs, I carried them one by one. On one occasion, I transported approximately 20 bombs to a warehouse in Aoral District. When the Vietnamese soldiers arrived to liberate Cambodia, I fled with other residents from Aoral District to Am Laeng Commune, Thpong District, Kampong Speu Province. I then continued to live with the Khmer Rouge at the Khao Phlu camp on the Cambodian-Thai border.
In 1990, I married my husband, Chan Nom, who was a Khmer Rouge soldier. Since then, my family and I have lived in Kandal Village, where we continue to reside today. The experience I remember most vividly and will never forget from the Khmer Rouge era is the constant lack of sufficient food.
Currently, Ket But suffers from chronic illnesses, including hypertension, arthritis, and dizziness.
Story summary by: Moeurn Sreynoch
แขแแแแแแแถแแแแ
โข แขแแแแแแแแถแแแถแแแธแแทแแแธแแแแแแแแแแแแ แแแธแแแถแแแนแแ
แแแแแแแแแฟแแแแถแแแแแแแแฝแแแถแแ
แแ
แถแ แแทแแแแแแแถแแแแแแปแแแแแแแแแแแแแ แแ
โข แขแแแแแแแแถแแแถแแแธแแทแแแธแแแแแแแแแแแแ แแแ
แแแแปแแแถแแแแแแถแแ
แแแพแแแถแแแแแบแแแแ
แถแแแถแแแผแ
แแถ แแพแแแถแ แแแแแถแแแแแแพแ แแทแแแถแแแแทแแถแแ
โข แแแแแถแแแแ
แแแแปแแแผแแทแแฝแแแถแแแถแแแถแแแแถแแฝแแแแแปแแแถแแแถแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแถแแถแแแแแ
โข แขแแแแแแแแถแแแถแแแธแแทแแแธแแแแแแแแแแแแ แแแฝแแ
แแแฝแแแถแแแธแแแถแแแแแธแแแ แแทแแแถแแแถแแแแแแแถแแ
โข แแ
แแแแปแแแผแแทแแถแแแแถแแแแแแแแแแถแแแ
โข แขแแแแแแแแถแแแถแแแธแแทแแแธแแแแแแแแแแแแ แ แแทแแแแแแถแแแแถแแ
แแแพแแแถแแแถแแแแแถแแ
แแแพแแแ
แแปแแแทแแแแแแ
แแแแ แถแแแแแแ
โข แแแแแแแแ แแแแพแฒแแแแแแผแแแขแทแแแทแแถแแแแแพแแแแพแแ
Observations:
1. Khmer Rouge survivors willingly and openly share their memories and experiences from the regime.
2. Many survivors in Veal Veng District suffer from chronic health conditions such as hypertension, arthritis, and disabilities.
3. The villagers are welcoming and friendly toward the Veal Veng Reconciliation Center team.
4. Some survivors live in poverty and face resource limitations.
5. The village environment is peaceful.
6. Most villagers, including survivors, cultivate various crops around their homes.
Challenges:
Rainy weather causes slippery roads, making travel difficult.
แแแแแแแถแแแแแปแแแถแแแถแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแแถแแถแแแแแ
แปแแแฝแแแปแแแปแแแ แแทแแแแแแถแแแแขแแแแแแแแถแแแถแแแธแแทแแแธแแแแแแแแแแแแ แ
แแผแแทแแแแแถแ แแปแแขแแแแแแแถแ แแแแปแแแถแแแแ แแแแแแแแแทแแแถแแ
แแธแฉ แแแแแแแแถ แแแแถแแขแ แขแฅ
Veal Veng Reconciliation Center: Oral History & Health Observation.
The Veal Veng Reconciliation Center team conducted field visits and interviews with survivors of the Khmer Rouge regime in Kandal Village, Anlong Reap Commune, Veal Veng District, Pursat Province.
Photos and Khmer Text: Chan Narith and Moeurn Sreynoch
English: Lim I-Phing
Documentation Center of Cambodia Archives
July 9, 2025