When the Khmer Rouge regime came to power in 1975 they initiated a total reform, meant to bring self sufficiency in all aspects of life. During the next 4 years they abolished industry, education, the monetary system, they resettled most of the city inhabitants to work camps in the countryside and eliminated all opponents. It is estimated that between 1.5 and 2.5 million people perished (20% of the population).

We visited Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (a former school converted to prison where opponents were interrogated and tortured) and Choeung Ek Killing Field (a place where people were summarily executed and then burred in common graveyards).