Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is one of the many torture centers of Khmer Rouge. It depicts the harrowing history of the Cambodian genocide, under the dictatorship of Pol Pot. He took over the Tuol Svay High School in the year 1975. Soon, he named it as Security Prison-21 and turned it into the biggest detention center for torture. S-21 holds testament to the horrible crimes of Khmer Rouge. It is dedicated to all those innocent people who bore inhuman tortures and died an excruciating death.

History of Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

Approximately, the number of prisoners in S-21 was 20,000, during 1976-79. The prisoners had to face brutal tortures. They had to accept the charges they had been facing, whether it was true or not. They also had to name their colleagues, friends and family members, who too, faced the same ordeal.

The prisoners were mostly government officials, soldiers, monks, factory workers, engineers etc. Umpteen number of non-Cambodians fled the country because of the mass genocide. The invading Vietnamese army uncovered the S-21 detention center in the year 1979. The People's Republic of Kampuchea reopened the detention center as a genocide museum that chronicles the heinous crimes of the Khmer Rouge regime. The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum reminds us of what will happen to us if we allow a mad man to rule our country.

What They Had to Face?

Numerous Cambodians died a horrible death because of the crimes they did not commit at all. The captivators used to extract confessions by using brutal tortures. Also, they ensured that the prisoners could neither escape nor could they commit suicide. The living condition was extremely unhealthy. Prisoners did not even get proper food to fill their stomach. The prisoners had to face stringent rules and regulations. They even could not talk to each other or to the guard.

Only seven adults and five children managed to survive this harrowing S-21 detention center. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum compels us to ask the purpose of human existence and humanity. We find it difficult to believe any more in human sanity and truthfulness. The place will make you wonder how all of a sudden, the world of these unfortunate people converted into something worse than hell.

A Visit to the Genocide Museum

Do not visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum if you are faint-hearted. This heritage site is not for weak hearted people. When you visit this museum, you will get an audio tour guide. Also, you can check where to stop in a map and listen to the audio tour guide. You will get goosebumps as you keep on listening to the eerie audio tour guide.

It is basically the narration of a survivor of the S-21 detention center. You will feel numb to your heart as you realize the amount of pain in his voice. He almost breaks down while reliving those gruesome moments.

The prison complex is quite a big one. You will be able to witness various torture chambers and prisons. You can even get a chance to meet some of the survivors of the S-21 detention center. They sell books related to the museum, and these books carry their autographs.

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is a significant place that has a special place in Cambodian history. It is essential to visit this site in order to understand Cambodian history. You will never be able to grasp complete Cambodian history without visiting this place.

There are a total of 3 floors in the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Initially, it was a five-building detention complex. There was barbed wire fencing all around the S-21 detention camp. The classrooms used to serve as tiny prisons. The windows had bars and irons. The security arrangement of the detention center was very strict. If you want to explore all the three floors, then be ready to spend 1.5 to 2 hours in this genocide museum.

When to Visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum?

The climatic conditions of Cambodia are a mix of tropical wet and dry. Cambodia has two major seasons – rainy and dry season. If you want to visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, take care of the rainfall, heat and number of tourists in a specific month.

The best time to visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is between May and early October. This time is preferable because you can avoid the surging crowd of other travelers. Also, you can manage to save some money because during this time, food, accommodations etc. are cheaper.

See More: Cambodia Weather

How to Reach the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum?

To reach the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, you can hire either:

• Tuk-tuk
• AC bus
• Cab

Tuk-tuk is affordable, as well as comfortable.

Fare for Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum from Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

• Line 01 Bus – USD 0.49
• Taxi – USD 4.21

Bus service will take over 12 minutes, taxi will take 5 minutes while it is just 21 minutes-walk from Phnom Penh to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum.

Key Details

Keep in mind the below-given details, and you are good to go. Have a look:

• Entry fees for child: US$ 3
• Entry fees for adult: US$ 5
• Audio tour charges: US$ 3
• Visiting hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Visiting days: Monday-Friday
• Pro – tip: Take the help of the audio tour guide for getting detailed information about the genocide museum.

A visit to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum will leave you speechless. You will feel moved and deeply saddened by this dark phase of Cambodian history. Yet, it is worth the visit to honor the sacrifices and sufferings of all the innocent prisoners. A visit to Cambodia will remain incomplete if you do not visit this site of historical importance. Follow the details above for a smooth experience.