These photos, now in the hundreds, have been found across the internet, including Facebook, Twitter and news sites. Credits to the original photographer given, when known.
We don’t use watermarks or in any way claim rights to the images, which are collected and displayed for education and entertainment purposes only- and the captions, although intended to be as accurate as possible, may contain mistakes. Signed, The Curator
The Curator at work1980s cartoon created by a popular group of the Soviet cartoonists, which reflects the official attitude of the Soviet state. “Пол Пот” means “Pol Pot”, “Пекин” means “Beijing”.1993 electionsRoad 4, near Pich Nil, late 90’s/early 2000’sPursat c.1968Siem Reap, probably late 1800’sPalace cars, 1928PP 1890s (possibly St 106/108 canal)Kratie tiger huntLast days of K-I-D refugee campKampong Chhnang pottery (1896)post nuptials snoutOutside Lycee René Descartes, 19661920’s PursatEarly 1990’s cupping therapyCreatin’ rap music cos I never dug discoCambodian artists Nop Nem, Huoy Keng,and Dy Saveth near Hotel Rossiya during the 6th Moscow International Film Festival on 13 July 1969. +Credit: Author Yury Artamonov +ដោយ:ចៅកម្ពុជា-Chao KampucheaCitroën 2CVs were assembled from CKD kits in Phnom Penh in Cambodia by Société Khmère de Montage Automobile during the 1950’s.Captioned as ‘Old sports stadium, 1946’Ethnic Pearic musicians, Pursat province, 1964Cyclo rallyJackie Chan, 2004Royal chamber‘Cambodian criminals’c. 1870 taken by Émile GsellBattambang, 1929This replica was built by a group of Cambodians at the processing center in the early 1980s. If anyone has more information on it, I’d love to talk with you. Susan Needham (Facebook)Meas SamonMeas SamonAngkor Wat replica at the Colonial Exhibition in France, which attracted approximately 8 millions of visitors for six months from May to November 1931Peter O’Toole, filming on location at Angkor Wat for the movie ‘Lord Jim’ in 1964 “The three months we spent in Cambodia were dreadful. Sheer hell. A nightmare. There we were, all of us, knee deep in lizards and all kinds of horrible insects. And everyone hating us. Awful.”- Peter O’TooleKR and RCAF soldier enjoy a Coke and a smokeEthnic Vietnamese fishing village, Chroy Changva 1964Something for weekend, sir?French EmbassyToul Kork?Kep: mid-1930’sMonivong Bridge around 1966Sihanouk’s political magazine, 1969. A few months later he would be ousted from power and exiled.Next series- unknown photographer (possibly UNTAC) via 963 ClassicMr. Sin SisamouthBanteay Ampil Band with Oum Dara on violin. Khmer People’s National Liberation Front. 1981. (Via Golden Voice)Possibly Dap Chhoun surrending his armsPrincess Margret and Prince Sihanouk, 1969Band on the bus (guess 1960’s)Siem Reap, early 20th centuryColonial Civil Servants and childrenSiem Reap, 1930’sNoodle cart man (via 963 classic)Trip to 1966 San Village by JEEP Mr Georges Condominas, France has traveled to Ratanakiri and Mondulkiri in a very difficult time using Jeep’s Purpose is to learn from the world of biology and culture of the people in the area. Photo Source: Quai Branly Museum. https://www.quaibranly.fr/en/ (Via 963 Classic)Bill Gates in NW 2014Citroën 1910 Cambodian Cars http://phnompenhplaces.blogspot.com/…/cambodian-cars.html (Via 963 Classic)Service-Postal Phnom Penh-Skun K.Thom-Siem Reap Angkor: James Dearden Holmes (363 Classic)Banteay Chhmar-A 1924 Automobile Adventure with George Groslier (via 363 Classic)1974 (only 2 of the children pictured survived the Khmer Rouge) Rasmei KampucheaBadge of Cambodian Revolutionary Youth Association in the 80’s. Tara OmSorry, don’t know the sourceSorry, don’t know the sourceWalkabout 2010 ish?Sorry, don’t know the sourceSorry, don’t know the sourceSorry, don’t know the sourceSorry, don’t know the sourceSorry, don’t know the sourceSorry, don’t know the sourceTan Omoro, aged 38, beginning his 3 month long trip from Paris to Phnom Penh on a BMW R69S. Early 1960’s (963 Classic) Image by: KEYSTONE Pictures USAMr. Christopher Sim, also known as Ung Chun Sim, was born during the last year of World War II. He joined the Khmer Air Force “8”. He was selected to go to Australia for training by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) “No. 15 Army Pilot Course” at Point Cook, Victoria, Australia. After returning to Cambodia, he was assigned to join the Forward Air Control Squadron. (Y. Yoc Hang)Khmer ayai singer Saram PrakPochentong Airport, Phnom Penh, 1966 during President Charles de Gaulle’s visit to Cambodia (via Amazing Cambodia)Governor Suos, his wife, wives, daughters, mothers and attendants at the Residence , Pursat ,Cambodia ,1896 Credit : Firmin André SallesPossibly Maguerite Duras in a carKampot riverfront, late 19th cA still shot from Sihanouk’s “Rose de Bokor”, a feature movie released in 1969 yet never publicly screened in Cambodia so far (Y Yoc Hang)Chroy Changvar fish catch, Circa 1886Ang Duong Hospital, This building was recently knocked down in 2021 CLICK2SEEPursat 1886 (?)RIP“Here is a Khmer Air Force C-123K landing at Kompong Thom. As I remember, it had rained earlier in the day. I think we see water on the runway. The sod was a liitle soft but OK for a DC-3.”- Bennet CrawfordSeries of Siem Reap photos circa 1900BattambangChinese noodle stall, Phnom Penh, 1950’s (Amazing Cambodia)Martial arts, Royal Palace, c. 1965 (others say Elephant Terrace, Angkor)Roland Meyer, a French civil official, Khmer wife and family 1910’sAmpor Tevy (right), movie star of late 80’s/early 90’sFamily in KR occupied Samlot, Battambang, C. 1994 (note the KR cadre on right in Chinese style uniform)The Bungalow, the first western guest house opened in 1909 at the entrance to Angkor WatCeremony Angkor Wat, 1949នេះរូបថតឃុននួន Khun Noun called Khun Than- one of Norodom’s many ladiesSihanouk with sword and shooterOudong, 1953, Mr. Moussus- French Air ForceCredit: LLDépart pour la chasseTeochew (?) Chinese/Khmer family, late 19th century (?) said to be from BattambangRandom Khmer Facebook guy posted following cinema photosThe original taxi driverLee Kuan Yew, father of Singapore, Angkor Wat, 1967The old hippodrome (horse racing) Veal Vong (near Olympic Stadium)Train Station PP, 194(6)La mare sacree (the holy lake or sea) in front of Wat Botum and now underneath Botum Park and the Friendship Monument – the photo comes with a label mentioning December 1895- PJCChanchhaya Pavilion under repair, 1895. Photo by Andre Salles, Gallica. The note to the photo calls it the Pavilion of the Elephants, which I think was not a common name – it was directly opposite the stables of the royal white elephants, where today there is a park.All aboard the PP express, early 1980’sLa Pêche Dans les eaux douces du Cambodge, 19401963King Norodom’s funeralNext shots; various kings in Preah Moha Mealea (one of the sacred hats of kings) Next photos of Charlie Chaplin, 1936Psar Chas, 1920Following from https://web.facebookFew people know the fact that the world-famous Walt Disney animated film company in the United States came to Siem Reap to make a children’s film in 1957 under the title “Niok” in French. Directed by Edmond Séchan and starring a Cambodian child named Ayuth and many Angkor residents! Amazing CambodiaReconnaissance photo following US airstrikes (probably NE Cambodia, Operation Menu). The dots are bomb craters.Arcades, before iPhones and fish games60’s SantaCambodian border, 1990Battambang, 1930’sPhnom Penh International Film Festival held at Preah Suramarit National Theatre in November 1969 (from Amazing Cambodia)Chief abbot’s crematorium pavilion in Siem Reap, 1968Cambodian partisans (*probably read mercenaries) under command of a French officer, training on a Bren machine gun during the First Indochina War, circa 1948.1960’s ? Hotel Cambodiana. More photos HERE
Pailin, late 19th CenturyLong Boreth, Prime Minister of the Khmer Republic, and Elizabeth Becker, correspondent for The Washington Post.Psar ThmeyPsar Thmey with a chopper on topper1961?Looks like Siem Reap, late 90’s?April 1975, probably the temporary hospital at Le Royale, which was forced to close the next day.The original Golden Lions (late 1950’s)SihanoukvilleConstruction of Rd 4 to Sihanoukville, 1957. Check that jungle.Som Van Sudani and Chea Yuththorn, actors of the 1960’s (and also secret lovers)Kampot, 1940’sCentral Market, the original site of Psah Thmey? Someone else says Psah Chas, maybe 1920?1931Development Khmer Airlines, DC-3, Lao Registry, Kompong Chhanang (B. Crawford)Monument to celebrate the return of the northwest provinces from Thai controlA young King SisowathSihanoukville, not very long agoDentistry (via amazingcambodia)Running the flame for the GANEFO games of 1966 down the central passageway of Angkor Wat, December 15, 1966.4 photos of Khmer boxing (early 20th century?) EDIT informed that they were taken by French photographer Lucienne Delmas in Battambang in the 1920’s and these photos are kept in at the Musée de l ‘ Homme in Paris, France.Year of goat?? At a guess 1931 or 1943, but no contextKing SisowathGuessing mid 1960’sAn elephant headed bird??2011Late 1980’s1964Wedding procession near Notre-Dame cathedral, late 60’s-early 70’s?
Okay, a video, but pretty cool1993PP Prison, 1940Siem Reap river c.1920Name of bus companies from Phnom Penh to all provinces before 1970 1-Mong Huot »Phop» Battambang »Kampot» Kampong Som 2- Thong Se / Chea Se / Veng Se »Phop» Kampong Cham 3- Nguon Hak »Phop» Kampong Cham » Kratie »Siem Reap 4-Namkea» Phop »Kampong Cham» Kratie »Siem Reap 5-Ithsam» Phop »Kampong Cham» Kampong Som »Prey Nokor 6-Pol An» Phop »Kampong Cham» Kampong Thom »Siem Reap» »Battambang» Chamkar Leu »Chamkar Andong» Stung Trang. 7-Hak Sreng »Phop» Kampong Cham »Chamkar Leu» Speu 8-Hok Heng »Phop» Siem Reap 9-Sok Sath (Keo Sranos) »Phop» Prey Veng »Svay Rhea 10-Hak Mong Heng» Phop »Prey Veng» Svay Rieng 11-Ali » Planet »Kampong Cham 12-Ngy Se» Planet »Takeo» River »Kirivong 13-Haki» Planet »Bot Roka» Prey Lvea 14-Tai Kong Yang »Planet» Bot Roka »Prey Lvea 15-Car Run» Ratanakiri Province »Mondulkiri» Stung Treng »Preah Vihear» Oddar Meanchey » Koh Kong does not have a run yet because the road is too difficult (Chiep Tan)Russian Hospital 1957Elephant (supposedly of Sisowath Monivong) BORANAJAFBIndependence Day, 1968Palace, mid 1960’sKep beach, mid 1960’sFuneral of King Suramarit, 1960Wat Banan, BattambangRussian BlvdIndependence Monument construction, c. 1955BattambangBattambang bridgeBattambang Pepsi factorySisowath Quay?Tattoo parlor, KampotRUPP, then a hospital, early 90’sTuk Tuk Sir?The BandBeauty contest, 19951952Ponchentong, early 1970sChinese Theater (somewhere near Royal Palace, so presumably near St 13/19 Chinatown, 1880’s)Phnom Penh cathedral, early 1970’sStreet 13 ( T3 prison)BattambangNational Library, 1929Phnom Penh ‘car wash’1990’s, Jim MielkeJim MielkeJim MielkeJim MielkeJim MielkeBattambang 1960’sKampot Fish Market1969Protest after WW2. The provinces seized by Thailand were returned in 1946.1989Sihanoukville supermarket original 90’sPP Floods ’52 or ’53Daun Penh and Koh Pich way before AEON MallRussian Blvd or Road 4, 1967Kampot Main gate of the huge Thai military fort in Battambang when the province was occupied by Siam. The fort was built around 1830 during the war between Siam and Vietnam. Most parts of the ‘Kamphaeng’ fort where demolished in 1910 by the barang. The last part of the fort was demolished in 2007. (from Casper)St 13, Chinatown 1957 (Amazing Cambodia)Indochina, and how to get there (by only speaking French)1960Borei Keila1950Ministry of Defense1950 1974, Marie-françoise Le Guen-châtelPP 1972, Marie-françoise Le Guen-châtelPursat, 1974US delegation arrives, 1950 Au cercle sportif de Battambang (1965)The White Building (date unknown)The White Building and houseboats (date unknown)1972 (Marie-françoise Le Guen-châtel)Kirirom, 1957Credit: Bob LaymonPonchentong 197(4)? Credit: Bob LaymonTakeo from the air Credit: Bob Laymon Credit: Bob Laymon Credit: Bob LaymonRUPP campusA bit more modernRecognize this place? National Bank (1980’s?)National bank 1960’sBokorPhnom Penh 1995 (PP40 Photo Exhibition)Royal Residence, BokorRotonde, Kep 1960’sKampong Som portBattambangPonchentong c.1970 (Bob Laymon)KPLNF Propaganda poster from Thai refugee camp, C. early-mid 1980’s.Siamese carp (?) date unknownPhnom Penh 1958Le Monument Aux Morts 1914-18 (built 1925, destroyed by Khmer Rouge)National Theatre ( Preah Suramarit Theatre or the Bassac Theatre) in 1966Kampong Cham, mid 1970’s- Bennet Crawford I’m sitting on the ramp at Kompong Cham watching Khmer Airforce T-28s bomb targets west of the airport. I shot this from the cockpit. I didn’t see any advantage in getting out.
Comment from Sethi: “Kampomg Cham was very often besieged. There are some Navy convoys that stop but (not) very often, the airport/airbase was the only link to the rest of the country. Not much fuel for private cars.
The Air Security troup paid a high price along the war. When Phom-Penh fell in 1975, the airbase commander and his deputy refused to surrender and continued the fight untill they ran out of ammunition.”
There is no former Kampong Cham airbase personnal among the Veterans. I think no one survived but I still wait for a few comments.” – Bennet CrawfordKep, circa 1961 Marie-françoise Le Guen-châtel 11 Jan 74 : A Cambodian army soldier covers his ears as he crouches with companions behind a paddy dike while a recoilless rifle mounted atop an armored personnel carrier fires at nearby Khmer Rouge positions during fighting only five miles northwest of Phnom Penh.”
AP Photo/Alan Rockoff.Khmer Airforce at Ponchentong. Date unknown.
10 thoughts on “Random Photos Of Old Cambodia”
Incredible, how clean Phnom Penh looked those days in opposition to todays dirt and rubbish.
A diverse and wonderful scramble through Cambodia photography. A bit more care in researching details would be good – even if just estimating the decade and providing a basic label. Overall very stimulating and worthwhile.
Incredible, how clean Phnom Penh looked those days in opposition to todays dirt and rubbish.
Is it possible to get copies of some of these prints
Great collection.
Is it possible to get copies of some of these prints
This is a fantastic collection. Many I haven’t seen before.
The 1950s Royal Palace is transposed.
Don’t shoot the messenger
This is a phantastic collection. Many pics were unknown to me.
My PhD is about Phnom Penh’s city development since colonial times.
amazing Cambodia I never see before
A diverse and wonderful scramble through Cambodia photography. A bit more care in researching details would be good – even if just estimating the decade and providing a basic label. Overall very stimulating and worthwhile.