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Kampuchea (formerly Cambodia)

FIRST STAMPS ISSUED 3 November 1951.

CURRENCY
1951, 100 cents = 1 piastre.
1955, 100 cents = 1 rial.

Khmer kingdom centred until 1432 on Angkor was weakened by constant wars with the Siamese until on 11 August 1863 it became a French protectorate. Incorporated into a united Indo-China in 1887. During the Japanese occupation in March 1944 the king proclaimed independence. French rule was restored in 1945 but Cambodia became an autonomous kingdom within the French Union on 7 January 1946.

Left the French Union on 25 September 1955. From 1960 the king ruled as head of state without accepting the crown. He was deposed on 18 March 1970 and a Communist Khmer Republic was proclaimed on 9 October 1970. Insurgent Khmer Rouge forces gradually became dominant and in 1975 took Pnomh Penh. Ideological struggles continue and Kampuchea was invaded by Vietnam.