Historical Context
The New Radio Guardhouse stands as a modest concrete structure tied to the Khmer Rouge’s final stronghold in Oddar Meanchey Province. Built in the 1980s, it once protected radio communications linking remote bases to leadership in Anlong Veng. Today it offers visitors a tangible link to the regime’s collapse after 1998.
Exploring the Site
Visitors approach a single-story building with narrow slit windows and faded camouflage paint. Inside, original concrete bunks and rusted equipment mounts remain. A short path leads to an adjacent antenna foundation where signals once reached Thai border areas. Informative plaques explain the site’s role without sensationalism.
Practical Layout
- Parking area 50 meters from the entrance
- Shaded viewing platform with benches
- Adjacent trail to a small memorial clearing
Getting There
Reach the guardhouse from Siem Reap by driving north on National Road 67 for about three hours, then turning east toward Anlong Veng. From Anlong Veng market, follow local signs for another 12 kilometers on a graded dirt road. Most travelers hire a driver with a sturdy vehicle, especially in the wet season when sections become muddy.
Best Time to Visit
Plan a trip between November and February when roads are firm and temperatures are moderate. Early morning arrivals avoid the midday heat and allow time to combine the visit with nearby Khmer Rouge sites such as Ta Mok’s house and Pol Pot’s cremation site.
Nearby Attractions
Combine the guardhouse with Preah Vihear Temple, roughly 60 kilometers east, or the Dangrek Mountains escarpment for scenic viewpoints. Local guesthouses in Anlong Veng offer basic overnight stays and can arrange English-speaking guides familiar with the region’s history.
