Cambodia

  • Cambodia officially gained its independence from France.

  • Sihanouk's father dies. Sihanouk becomes head of state.

  • The US begins a secret bombing campaign against North Vietnamese forces on Cambodian soil.

  • Fighting breaks out with Vietnam.

  • Vietnamese forces invade in a lightning assault.

  • Hun Sen becomes prime minister. Cambodia is plagued by guerrilla warfare. Hundreds of thousands become refugees.

  • Thousands of Khmer Rouge guerrillas surrender in government amnesty.

  • Deputy leader of Khmer Rouge Ieng Sary forms a new party and is granted amnesty by Sihanouk.

  • Prince Ranariddh is tried in his absence and found guilty of arms smuggling, but is then pardoned by the king.

  • First bridge across the Mekong River opens, linking east and west Cambodia.

  • Comrade Duch is found guilty of crimes against humanity and given 35-year prison sentence.

  • Opposition leader Kem Sokha is charged with treason.

  • Cambodia introduces lese-majeste law, which makes it a criminal offence to defame or insult the king.