Khmer Issarak - After The Second World War

After The Second World War

Poc Khun's Thai-sponsored organisation had fallen apart as early as 1946 due to internal dissension: the concept of a Thai-funded Cambodian nationalist movement did not seem so compelling to people already tired of the exploitation of Cambodia by the French.

By December 1946, Thailand was forced to relinquish control over Battambang, Siem Reap and Stung Treng; Thai officials were quick to sign a deal with another rebel leader, the regional warlord Dap Chhuon, offering their support for his anti-French guerrilla bands: this was in the unlikely hope that they could incite a rebellion in the region and then annexe it under the guise of calming the situation. Thailand also offered support to Prince Norodom Chantaraingsey and a number of other individuals controlling armed units, but the Thai-sponsored Issaraks were greatly weakened by the fall of the leftist Thai government in 1947.

Throughout the second half of the 1940s, Viet Minh groups continued to infiltrate into northern and eastern Cambodia, working alongside the growing leftist Issarak groups. The ICP continued to give support, education and instruction to native Khmers.