A Visit to the Landmine Museum in Siem Reap

If you are looking for a meaningful and educational experience in Siem Reap, you should not miss the Landmine Museum. This museum is not only a place to learn about the history and impact of landmines in Cambodia, but also a testament to the courage and resilience of the Cambodian people.

Overview & History

The Landmine Museum was founded by Aki Ra, a former child soldier who fought for different factions during the Cambodian civil war. After the war ended, he dedicated his life to clearing landmines and helping the victims of these deadly weapons. He started collecting and defusing landmines with a stick and a knife, and displayed them in his home as a way to raise awareness and funds for his cause. He also adopted and cared for many orphaned and wounded children who were affected by landmines.

In 1997, he established the Cambodian Landmine Museum and Relief Facility, a non-profit organization that aims to educate the public about the dangers of landmines and to support the landmine clearance and victim assistance efforts in Cambodia. The museum moved to its current location near Banteay Srey Temple in 2007, and has since welcomed thousands of visitors from around the world.

What to expect

The museum exhibits thousands of decommissioned landmines and other explosive remnants of war, such as rockets, grenades, and bombs. Each item has a label that explains its origin, type, and function. You can also see the tools and equipment that Aki Ra and his team used to clear the landmines, such as metal detectors, pliers, and scissors.

The museum also tells the personal stories of Aki Ra and some of the children who lived with him at the museum. You can learn about their backgrounds, their experiences during the war, and their hopes for the future. You can also watch a documentary film that shows how Aki Ra and his team work in the field, and how the landmine problem affects the lives of ordinary Cambodians.

The museum also has a gift shop that sells souvenirs, books, and T-shirts. All the proceeds go to support the museum and its sister projects, such as the Cambodian Self-Help Demining, an NGO that clears landmines in remote areas, and the Landmine Relief Fund, a US-based charity that raises funds for the museum and its activities.

Tips

The museum is open every day from 8 am to 5 pm. The entry fee is $5 for foreign adults, and free for children under 12 and Khmers.
You can rent an audio guide for $3, or scan the QR codes throughout the museum to access the information on your phone. You can also book a personal tour in Khmer or English by contacting the museum 48 hours in advance.
The museum is located inside the Angkor National Park, but you do not need a temple pass to visit it. However, if you plan to visit other temples nearby, such as Banteay Srey or Kbal Spean, you will need a valid pass.
The museum is about 25 km north of Siem Reap, and the ride takes about 45 minutes. You can hire a tuk-tuk for around $25 - $30 round-trip from the town center, or use the PassApp Taxi app for a cheaper option. You can also rent a bicycle or a motorbike and explore the countryside on your own.
The museum is wheelchair accessible and has a restroom and a water dispenser for visitors.