The History of La Paix
Over the past 50 years, Hôtel de la Paix has played a significant role in the history of Cambodia. From the early years when it welcomed its first guests -through conflict generated by factional insurgents; through the turbulence and turmoil of the Pol Pot era; through the transitional years of the UN presence; and now today, in a time of peace and tranquility for the Khmer people and their country - Hôtel de la Paix was, and remains, a landmark.
| 1955 to 1956 | Constructed from 1955 to 1956, Hôtel de la Paix (Hotel of Peace) was one of the first international standard hotels in Cambodia. It was then, as now widely known as “La Paix”. |
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| 1957 | In 1957 Hôtel de la Paix was originally owned by Dap Chhuon, a well known and powerful official in Siem Reap who was thought by the Cambodians to have magical powers. He had deserted the French service in 1943 and joined the Thai army, for whom he organized anti-French guerrillas in Cambodia. During 1946 his partisans had been part of the forces occupying Angkor Wat, and in 1948 he was named as military commander of the CLPK, with 800 men under his command. Later in 1949, when the French gave formal control of Siem Reap to King Sihanouk, Chhuon retained a feudal control over the area. |
| 1958 to 1959 | Dap Chhoun's power ended in February 1959 when a conspiracy theory was discovered and he was assassinated by the military. Hôtel de la Paix, along with all of Dap Chhoun’s possessions, were subsequently confiscated by the government.
In 1958 the father-in-law of Loy Sin Chian, then Deputy Head of the National Assembly, took control of Hotel de la Paix and from 1960 until 1965 it was managed by Messrs Savalet and Kema, both of French origin. Guests, although limited due to the insurgency, were both national and international. |
| 1970 | In 1970 Lon Nol instituted a bloodless coup d’état, usurping control from Sihanouk and in 1972 became the first President of the Khmer Republic. From then until 1973 Hôtel de la Paix operated with limited guests. |
| 1975 to 1979 | In 1975 it played another role in the history of the country when it was occupied by the commander of Lon Nol troops, as his private residence.
In 1975 Lon Nol fled as the Khmer Rouge seized power and Sihanouk was made head of the Government, although for a brief period only. In 1976 Sihanouk resigned, Khieu Samphan became Head of State, Pol Pot became Prime minister and thousands of Cambodians were forcibly moved from their homes to labour camps within the countryside, which resulted in the most unspeakable hours of Cambodian history. During this time until 1979, Hôtel de la Paix was used by the Pol Pot regime as a storage depot for rice. |
| 1980 to 1989 | During the next decade until 1989 The country was renamed (twice)—in 1981 from ‘Khmer Republic’ to ‘People’s Republic of Kampuchea’ (PRK) and then in 1989 to the ‘State of Cambodia’. Hôtel de la Paix once again took its place in history—this time as a “guest house” for government officials. |
| 1989 to 1992 | In 1989 Hôtel de la Paix was given to the Tourist Authority of Siem Reap and in 1992 it was honoured to host the Directorate of UNTAC (United Nations Transitional Authority) during preparations for the historic 1993 election. |
| 1993 to 2003 | 1993 marked a new era for Hôtel de la Paix. It was bought by Mr. Phi-phat Lo, a Cambodian National, and in 2003, after the original Hotel de la Paix was demolished, construction started on the building we see today. An art-deco inspired design complemented by strong Khmer influences that welcome the future while respecting the past. |
| Today | Today 5 decades after its initial construction, and in the shadow of the famous Temples of Angkor Wat, Hôtel de la Paix proudly stands again as a landmark of Siem Reap. |