Thousands of Cambodian people, including senior officials, civil servants, armed forces, the youth and the general public, marked the 47th Remembrance Day of the “Journey to Overthrow the Pol Pot Genocidal Regime” (June 20, 1977 – June 20, 2024) in Thbong Khmum province this morning.
The annual event, taking place at Techo Koh Thmar X16 military historical site located in Koh Thmar village, Tonloung commune, Memut district, was presided over by Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, with the participation of foreign ambassadors and military attachés accredited to Cambodia, and Vietnamese senior officials and military officers.
In his remarks, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet recalled that 47 years ago, on June 20, 1977, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen decided to start rescuing the Cambodian people from the Pol Pot genocidal regime.
“Today is one of historical fact that we should not forget, but we should learn and must continue to maintain peace for the development of Cambodia,” he underlined.
Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet also expressed his appreciation for all achievements built at Techo Koh Thmar X16 military historical site.
The Cambodian Premier took the opportunity to express his gratitude to the Vietnamese people and leaders for their assistance and contribution to the liberation of Cambodia from the genocidal regime. He also spoke highly of the good friendship and cooperation between the two neighbouring nations.
On June 20, 1977, at the age of 25 years old, Samdech Techo Hun Sen, along with four comrades, fled Cambodia to Vietnam through Tonloung commune, Memut district, Kampong Cham province (currently Thbong Khmum province), to form a movement to liberate Cambodia and its people.
In 1978, Samdech Techo Hun Sen became a founding member of the United Front for the National Salvation of Kampuchea (UFNSK).
With very strong determination and the love of Cambodia and his fellow Cambodians and in collaboration with other patriotic movements as well as with the support of Vietnamese volunteer forces, Samdech Techo Hun Sen overthrew the Pol Pot regime on Jan. 7, 1979 and has steered the nation toward complete peace, unity, and growth since Dec. 29, 1998 thanks to his Win-Win policy.
