Cambodia

Words by: unknown
Music by: unknown
In use: 1979-1989 (?)

After Vietnamese forces and exile Cambodians invaded Cambodia in January 1979, Cambodia got a pro-Vietnamese, moderate communist government and was declared the People's Republic of Kampuchea. Again, a new flag and national anthem was adopted.

It is not totally certain how long this national anthem was in use; due to the continued pressure by the Khmer Rouge and royalist guerillas, Vietnam withdrew almost all its troops from Cambodia in 1989, and the
Cambodian national assembly renamed the country into "State of Cambodia". At that occasion, a new flag and perhaps also a new national anthem were adopted. In 1991, a UN peace plan was signed, and the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) assumed administrative responsibility for Cambodia in March 1992, and adopted a new flag, which was in use until Cambodia became a Kingdom again in September 1993 and re-adopted its old symbols of state. Some sources mention that a textless tune, composed by Prince Ranariddh, was used as the national anthem during the time of the UNTAC administration. But I am not able to find out any confirmed information about anthems in use between 1989 and the restoration of the monarchy in 1993. If anybody can provide me with more details, please let me know.

Special thanks to: Jan Scotland for this information.

See also: Cambodia (1970-1975), Cambodia (1976-1979), Cambodia (1941-1970, 1975-1976, 1993-).