Summary of "Doubletake: Intended for Evil, The Clearing of Phnom Penh"

Podcast Information:

• Title: The World and Everything In It
• Host/Author: WORLD Radio
• Episode: Doubletake: Intended for Evil, The Clearing of Phnom Penh
• Release Date: January 18, 2025

Overview: In the episode "Doubletake: Intended for Evil, The Clearing of Phnom Penh," host Les Sillers delves into the harrowing experiences of Radha Manakum and his family during the rise and domination of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. This first installment of a three-part series, based on Sillers' book "Intended for Evil," combines firsthand interviews with historical analysis to paint a vivid picture of life under one of the most brutal regimes in modern history.

1. Introduction

Les Sillers opens the episode by introducing the series "Intended for Evil," marking it as the first of three parts that chronicles the onset of the Khmer Rouge's rule in Cambodia. He mentions the inclusion of authentic sounds from Cambodia during that tumultuous period, enhanced with selective sound effects for emphasis.

[00:01] A: "From world Radio, this is Doubletake. I'm Les Sillers. Today we have the first of a three part series intended for evil."

2. Historical Context: Rise of the Khmer Rouge

Sillers provides a detailed backdrop of Cambodia’s political climate leading up to the Khmer Rouge's takeover. He explains the brutal five-year civil war between the Communist Khmer Rouge and the American-backed Khmer Republic, highlighting the immense loss of life—over half a million Cambodians were killed during the conflict.

[01:08] A: "The Communist Khmer Rouge had just won a brutal five year civil war in the jungle against the American backed Khmer Republic. A half million people had died in the war."

3. Radha Manakum's Background

Radha Manakum, a 22-year-old Cambodian living near Phnom Penh, becomes the focal point of the narrative. His family's Buddhist faith and recent conversion to Christianity set the stage for the personal and ideological conflicts they will face under the new regime.

[04:34] B: "Everybody, including myself, hoped that the Khmer Roos will win so the war would be over."

4. Initial Khmer Rouge Takeover: Euphoria and Reality

On April 17, 1975, the Khmer Rouge entered Phnom Penh amidst celebrations from relieved citizens weary of war. The initial reaction was one of hope, as depicted by the optimistic gatherings and the new national anthem's misleadingly cheerful tone.

[05:16] B: "And then people gather on the main street and welcome them and everyone yelling in French term that peace, peace, Peace."

However, Sillers quickly contrasts this euphoria with the grim reality that swiftly unfolded. The Khmer Rouge's true nature became apparent as they began looting, enforcing brutal control, and suppressing any semblance of hope.

[05:29] A: "Glorious April 17th. People took pictures of smiling citizens and Republic soldiers standing in happy groups behind piles of surrendered rifles. ... But it's also a story of hope and grace and ultimately Redemption."

5. Forced Evacuation of Phnom Penh

Just days after the takeover, the Khmer Rouge initiated a mass evacuation of Phnom Penh’s residents. Soldiers methodically cleared the city, coercing citizens into the streets and commandeering vehicles to forcefully relocate them to rural areas.

[09:08] A: "Within an hour of entering Phnom Penh Khmer Rouge troops started looting shops and rampaging through the markets."

6. Journey and Conditions During Migration

The Manakum family, along with millions of others, embarked on a brutal journey out of the city. The conditions were deplorable—extreme heat, lack of water, rampant disease, and constant fear for one's life plagued the evacuees.

[14:12] B: "When we get to the main street, there are people all over the place. ... It's like a wave of ants crawling on the street."

[14:54] A: "Nobody had enough water so people were drinking whatever they could find in barrels, even puddles."

7. Personal Loss and Family Struggles

During their forced migration, the Manakum family endured significant losses, including the tragic death of their youngest daughter, Lakshmi. Her untimely passing deeply affected Radha and his father, highlighting the personal toll of the regime's policies.

[18:48] B: "And then the next morning, she passed away."

[21:08] A: "Standing in the water. Apa reached into his bag, took out the idols and threw them into the river."

8. Forced Labor in the Countryside

Upon reaching the countryside, the family, classified as "New People" by the Khmer Rouge, was subjected to forced labor. Inexperienced in agricultural work, Radha found the toil both physically and emotionally exhausting, culminating in severe illness for both him and his father.

[17:49] B: "They don't want to use the ox or tractor to plow so they wanted people to use with their hoe."

[23:17] B: "So for two months, I couldn't eat. I couldn't do anything, couldn't walk. Because for two months, no food in my stomach."

9. Family's Attempt to Leave Cambodia

Desperate to escape the increasingly oppressive conditions, the Manakum family attempted to leave Cambodia through a purported avenue for foreign citizens. Their hopes were dashed when the Khmer Rouge deceitfully rerouted them back into the country, leading to further suffering and uncertainty.

[24:49] A: "The mannequins didn't believe them. Apa knew that if the Family was split up. They'd never get back together."

10. Forced Migration to Battambang

The regime's strategy involved the massive relocation of urban populations to the fertile Battambang Province. The Manakums were once again uprooted, enduring severe hardships during their transit, including exposure to disease and witnessing the deaths of fellow Cambodians.

[25:29] B: "And then all he said is, you're going to kill the family."

11. Building New Shelters and Daily Hardships

Arriving at Phnom Tippidae, the new settlement site, the Manakums faced the daunting task of constructing shelters with no prior experience in farming or rural living. The Khmer Rouge's disdain for "New People" was evident as they enforced harsh labor conditions and provided meager rations, exemplified by the distribution of low-quality rice dust.

[30:11] B: "And then I saw my dad is kind of sad and kind of crying. ... But now they feed to people."

12. Conclusion: Reflection on the Experience

The episode closes with reflections on the pervasive fear and relentless oppression experienced by the Manakum family and countless others. Radha's unwavering faith amidst such adversity underscores the themes of hope, grace, and redemption that Sillers aims to highlight in the series.

[31:00] B: "Lights up, you scare all the time. ... So you live in fear, sleep in fear, work in fear."

[31:33] A: "Thanks for listening. I hope that you'll follow us on your favorite podcast app and don't forget to rate and review us."

Notable Quotes with Speaker Attribution and Timestamps:

• Les Sillers (A):

  • "The Communist Khmer Rouge had just won a brutal five year civil war in the jungle against the American backed Khmer Republic. A half million people had died in the war." [01:08]
  • "But it's also a story of hope and grace and ultimately Redemption." [05:29]
  • "Nobody had enough water so people were drinking whatever they could find in barrels, even puddles." [14:54]
  • "The Manicums didn't believe them. Apa knew that if the Family was split up. They'd never get back together." [24:49]

• Radha Manakum (B):

  • "Everybody, including myself, hoped that the Khmer Roos will win so the war would be over." [04:34]
  • "And then all he said is, you're going to kill the family." [25:29]
  • "So for two months, I couldn't eat. I couldn't do anything, couldn't walk. Because for two months, no food in my stomach." [23:42]
  • "Lights up, you scare all the time. ... So you live in fear, sleep in fear, work in fear." [31:00]

Conclusion: Les Sillers' "Doubletake: Intended for Evil, The Clearing of Phnom Penh" offers a poignant and immersive exploration of the Khmer Rouge's devastating impact on Cambodian society through the lens of Radha Manakum's personal narrative. By intertwining historical facts with intimate family experiences, the episode underscores the enduring human spirit amidst unimaginable brutality.