Anlong Veng

Anlong Veng is a district and small town in the Oddar Meanchey province of Cambodia. Its sole claim to notability is its connection to the later days of the Khmer Rouge. Pol Pot, Ta Mok, Son Sen and Khiev Samphan, the leaders of the organization, all had homes here. The district also holds the graves of Pol Pot and Ta Mok, as well as the remnants of the structure where Pol Pot was convicted of 'crimes against the Cambodian people.' What might otherwise be an overly morbid itinerary is redeemed by the stunning mountain scenery. There is a border crossing with Thailand's Si Saket Province 13 km north of Anlong Veng town.

Get in Anlong Veng from other parts of Cambodia, transport is by share-taxi, pickup-truck, or motorbike. Share-taxis connect with Siem Reap, Samraong, and Tbeng Meanchey, among others; however all roads to Anlong Veng are unsealed and may be impassable to share-taxis during the wet season.

From Thailand, transport to the border can be arranged from Si Saket Province or Surin Province (the border crossing is in Si Saket Province, but the nearest town is Khu Khan in Surin Province). From Surin train station to the border takes about 1.5 hours. On the Cambodian side of the border, moto-taxis and pick-up trucks are available in the tiny bazaar.

An interesting few hours can be spent touring all the above sites, with plenty of vista stops and little encounters with surprisingly friendly local people. Moto-taxi drivers can arrange an itinerary.