War Museum
Civil War Museum, Siem Reap is one of the popular tourist attractions in Siem Reap. Whenever you come to Siem Reap, visit this sightseeing spot to get a better insight into the history of the region. The Civil War Museum, Siem Reap is run by a guy who was forced to join the Khmer Rouge as a boy and trained to make as lay landmines, something they were all too good at. After the Vietnamese-installed government rescued him in the year 1985, he helped the government in clearing areas where landmines have been laid. The name of this boy is Akira and he is a friendly guy. He speaks English and Japanese and feels very happy to meet the people who come to visit this place.
The guy who runs the Civil War Museum, Siem Reap has a lot of the weaponry on hand that have been used over these past few decades, during Cambodia?s civil war and the long struggle against the Khmer Rouge that followed. The collection in this Civil War Museum in Siem Reap is definitely worth a look for one and all who are intrigued by the turbulent past of this place.
The admission to the Civil War Museum, Siem Reap is free, but donations are appreciated. If you want to get to the museum then go past the Hotel Grande de Angkor on the road to the Angkor ticket checkpoint about 1 kilometer to a small sign on the right for the Civil War Museum. Then turn right, and follow this road to a four-way intersection and turn left. You will find a sign for the place here. Drive for more 1 kilometer and you will reach the Civil War Museum.
Outdoor displays of old, rusted and broken down military hardware taken from the battlefield are featured at this museum. Equipment on display includes old tanks, artillery guns, rocket launchers, anti-aircraft guns, small arms, mines and bombs. There is also an old Shenyang J-6 jet fighter, and an XU-814 Mil Mi-8T helicopter. Unfortunately, as with the rest of the things on display, they are in very poor condition. There is an admission fee.
GETTING IN
It’s somewhat out of the way just off the road to the airport. If you didn’t know it was there or your tuk-tuk driver isn’t a total plonker – you’d probably never get there. When you do there’s a nice gravel driveway leading up to the most bored looking girl in the world sat at a table flogging tickets. It’s $5 to get in but make sure you don’t ask for directions to the landmine museum until you’ve coughed up the readies – it’s amazing how much a few dollars can kick-start someone’s ability to speak English in Cambodia.
WHAT’S INSIDE?
The short answer to this is simple – rusting wrecks of old war machines. You’ll find rusty helicopters, armoured personnel vehicles, mortars, howitzers, tanks, and even an old and rusty MIG. To keep you further entertained there are plenty of rusty unexploded munitions and some that have been “made safe” for the tourists to play with. I wasn’t convinced so I didn’t play with anything.
Location
Location: Off National Hwy. No. 6, on way to airport.
