In the Shadows of Utopia: The Khmer Rouge and the Cambodian Nightmare S3 Ep1: The Invasion - Part One: Counting Bodies Floating Down the Mekong
Jan 13, 2025
Discover the chilling aftermath of Cambodia's 1970 coup against Prince Sihanouk. Hear haunting accounts of bodies floating down the Mekong River as violence erupts against the Vietnamese community. Uncover the pivotal role of U.S. intervention amidst rising chaos and the complex dynamics of war. The podcast dives into the moral ambiguities faced by both the U.S. and Cambodian forces. Explore the brave yet perilous world of journalists risking their lives to shed light on a nation in turmoil.
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Counting Bodies On The Mekong
- A French priest counted bodies floating down the Mekong after the April 1970 coup.
- Henry Kham reported the priest believed more than a thousand corpses drifted past Nghilong.
Priest Later Found Murdered
- The priest who counted the bodies was later found with his throat slashed after Nghilong changed hands.
- His murder underscored the lawlessness engulfing Cambodia as Vietnam's war spilled across the border.
Who Were The Floating Corpses?
- The dead drifting downriver were Vietnamese civilians from communities near Phnom Penh.
- Long‑standing Khmer–Vietnamese resentment made them targets after the Lon Nol coup.
