Sunday, February 01, 2009

Dark Tourism - S21



What is meant by dark tourism? Visit to some genoicide sites, accident sites or even to cemetery. I just made one in Phnom Penh (PNH). The main reason to PNH is because N years before I saw a 'skull' map - used many skulls to make the map of Cambodia, which was housed Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21 prison). It was a prison used by Khmer Rouge to detain political prisoners during 1975-79. Various inhuman torture methods were used. The prisoners there were sent to killing field (17km) for execution. It is estimated that there was around 17,000 prisoners in S21 during 1975-79. Because shortage of bullets, they were bludgeoned to death. THe Khmer Rouge just followed the path of the inhumane counterpart, Nazi and took every prisoner photos. In the museum, the prisoners' photos are depicted. One of the few survivors, Vann Nath, used paintings to show various torturing methods.

I just hope this kind of history will never happen again in this world.

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