Ta Mok Day House: Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge Legacy in Anlong Veng

Why Visit Ta Mok Day House

Located in the remote Anlong Veng district near the Thai border, Ta Mok Day House stands as one of the few intact structures tied to the final years of the Khmer Rouge regime. Ta Mok, known as “Brother Number Four,” used this elevated wooden residence as his base until his arrest in 1999. The site now functions as a modest museum displaying personal effects, photographs, and documents that illustrate both his military role and daily life in the jungle stronghold.

What to See and Do

Visitors walk through the open ground floor and climb to the main living area where simple furnishings, maps, and propaganda materials remain on display. Outside, the surrounding grounds include remnants of bunkers and a small garden. The experience is deliberately low-key, allowing time to reflect on the contrast between the ordinary domestic setting and the atrocities associated with its former occupant. A short walk from the house leads to Ta Mok’s grave, marked by a simple stupa.

Reaching the Site

Most travelers start from Siem Reap, taking a private taxi or shared minibus north along National Road 67 for roughly 150 kilometers. The journey passes through rice fields and small villages before reaching Anlong Veng town; from there a short moto or tuk-tuk ride reaches the house. Those coming from Phnom Penh can fly to Siem Reap first or take the longer overland route via Kampong Thom.

Best Time to Visit

The cooler dry season from November through February offers the most comfortable conditions for exploring the area on foot. April and May bring intense heat, while the rainy months of July to September can make the laterite roads muddy and difficult for standard vehicles.

Nearby Attractions

Combine the visit with other Anlong Veng Khmer Rouge sites, including the former residence of Pol Pot and the Choam Sa Ngam cliff viewpoint. Further north, the hilltop temple of Preah Vihear offers a dramatic contrast in both architecture and scenery, reachable by a separate road from Anlong Veng.