KCP
The CPK is divided into two, with the Pen Sovan-led group constituting a separate party
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Pol Pot Biography and Timeline — Page 3
Follow Pol Pot through 133 dated historical records for Kampuchea.
Pol Pot, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
133Distinct records
3 of 4Page
1979–1998Years on this page
1979
Massacre
Charged with genocide by the Vietnamese, 3 million out of a 7 million population
Invasion of Kampuchea
Begins guerrilla warfare against the PRK Government
Role range: 1960-1975
Capture of Kampuchea
The Vietnamese forced out Pol Pot & withdrew from Kampuchea 10 yrs later
Role range: 1960-1975 – 1975-1978
Exile of Pol Pot
The Vietnamese forced out Pol Pot & withdrew from Kampuchea 10 yrs later
Role range: 1960-1975 – 1975-1978
Invasion of Kampuchea
Despite a traditional Kampuchean fear of Vietnamese domination, defecting Khmer Rouge activists assisted the Vietnamese, and, with Vietnams approval, become the core of the new puppet Government
Role range: 1960-1975 – 1975-1978
Invasion of Vietnam
The CPK led by Pol Pot withdrew its forces westwards, to an area near the Thai border, with unofficial protection from elements of the Thai Army
Role range: 1960-1975 – 1975-1978
Khmer Rouge
Despite a traditional Kampuchean fear of Vietnamese domination, defecting Khmer Rouge activists assisted the Vietnamese, and, with Vietnams approval, become the core of the new puppet Government
Role range: 1960-1975 – 1975-1978
United Nations
Despite a traditional Kampuchean fear of Vietnamese domination, defecting Khmer Rouge activists assisted the Vietnamese, and, with Vietnams approval, become the core of the new puppet Government
Role range: 1960-1975 – 1975-1978
1980
Guerrilla Warfare
Begin guerrilla operations along the Thai border
Role range: 1979-1997
1981
Party Renamed
Communist Party of Kampuchea renamed Party of Democratic Kampuchea
Role range: 1979-1997
1982
Tripartite Coalition
Khmer Rouge join FUNCINPEC and KPNLF in the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea
Role range: 1979-1997
1983
Border Clashes
Clashes with Vietnamese forces intensify
Role range: 1979-1997
1984
Vietnam Offensive
Vietnam launches major dry-season offensive against border bases
Role range: 1979-1997
1985
Ta Mok Ascends
Ta Mok gains greater control over remaining Khmer Rouge forces
Role range: 1979-1997
1986
Loss of Bases
Key border bases lost to Vietnamese operations
Role range: 1979-1997
1987
Peace Talks Begin
Initial informal talks between Cambodian factions begin
Role range: 1979-1997
1988
Shift to Political Strategy
Khmer Rouge announce a greater focus on political struggle
Role range: 1979-1997
1989
Vietnam Withdrawal
Vietnam completes troop withdrawal from Cambodia
Role range: 1979-1997
1990
UN Negotiations
Khmer Rouge participate in UN-sponsored peace talks
Role range: 1979-1997
1991
Paris Peace Accords
Khmer Rouge refuse to fully comply with the Paris Peace Accords
Role range: 1979-1997
1992
UNTAC Deployment
UN peacekeepers deploy as Khmer Rouge obstruct operations
Role range: 1979-1997
1993
Election Boycott
Khmer Rouge boycott national elections
Role range: 1979-1997
Attacks on UNTAC
Attacks on UN personnel increase
Role range: 1979-1997
1994
Outlawed
Cambodian government officially outlaws Khmer Rouge
Role range: 1979-1997
Defections Begin
Large-scale defections from Khmer Rouge ranks begin
Role range: 1979-1997
1996
Ieng Sary Defects
Ieng Sary defects and receives amnesty
Role range: 1979-1997
Movement Weakens
Remaining forces fragment into rival factions
Role range: 1979-1997
1997
Son Sen Executed
Execution of Son Sen ordered by Pol Pot
Role range: 1997-1998
Ta Mok Coup
Ta Mok ousts Pol Pot from leadership
Role range: 1997-1998
Pol Pot Arrest
Pol Pot arrested by the Ta Mok faction
Role range: 1997-1998
Arrest of Pol Pot
Tried by the Khmer Rouge and placed under house arrest
Role range: 1997-1998
Trial
Tried by the Khmer Rouge and placed under house arrest
Role range: 1997-1998
Arrest of Pol Pot
Tried by the Khmer Rouge & placed under house arrest
Trial
Tried by the Khmer Rouge & placed under house arrest
1998
Death of Pol Pot
Death of Pol Pot while held under house arrest by the Ta Mok faction of the Khmer Rouge
Role range: 1963-1997
Death of Pol Pot
Death of Pol Pot, while held under house arrest by the Ta Mok faction of the Khmer Rouge
Death of Pol Pot
Death of Pol Pot
Role range: 1975-1979
Final Collapse
Khmer Rouge military structure collapses after Pol Pot death
Role range: 1963-1997
Khmer Rouge Disband
Movement effectively ceases to exist after remaining leaders surrender
Role range: 1963-1997
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.