7 January 1979

Kampuchea (Cambodia) collapses, Thai-Kampuchean border is closed to stem exodus

Thailand closed its border with Kampuchea after invading Vietnamese forces toppled Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge regime in Phnom Penh, triggering a mass exodus of refugees from the impoverished nation.

Only 21 Kampuchean refugees managed to cross the border into Thailand on the day Phnom Penh fell. Another 922 foreigners, mostly from China, were allowed to enter Thailand briefly in order to be repatriated. By October, about 91,000 Kampucheans had entered Thailand. Another 120,000 were forced back.

Refugee camps were set up near the Thai-Kampuchean border. US folk singer Joan Baez toured one in October, and America’s First Lady, Rosalyn Carter, visited in November, calling for an end to the ‘staggering human misery.’

Kampuchea’s Prince Norodom Sihanouk criticised Vietnam’s invasion. ‘We will come from the mountains and from the forests, and attack the enemy. Suppose we cannot win after four years, we will win after 10 years, after 20 years,’ he said.

7 January 1979

Kampuchea (Cambodia) collapses, Thai-Kampuchean border is closed to stem exodus

Thailand closed its border with Kampuchea after invading Vietnamese forces toppled Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge regime in Phnom Penh, triggering a mass exodus of refugees from the impoverished nation.

Only 21 Kampuchean refugees managed to cross the border into Thailand on the day Phnom Penh fell. Another 922 foreigners, mostly from China, were allowed to enter Thailand briefly in order to be repatriated. By October, about 91,000 Kampucheans had entered Thailand. Another 120,000 were forced back.

Refugee camps were set up near the Thai-Kampuchean border. US folk singer Joan Baez toured one in October, and America’s First Lady, Rosalyn Carter, visited in November, calling for an end to the ‘staggering human misery.’

Kampuchea’s Prince Norodom Sihanouk criticised Vietnam’s invasion. ‘We will come from the mountains and from the forests, and attack the enemy. Suppose we cannot win after four years, we will win after 10 years, after 20 years,’ he said.