French Protectorate of Cambodia

The French protectorate of Cambodia (Khmer: កម្ពុជាក្រោមអាណានិគមបារាំង) formed part of the French Colonial Empire in Southeast Asia. It was established in 1867 when the Cambodian King Norodom requested the establishment of a French protectorate over his country, meanwhile Siam (modern Thailand) renounced suzerainty over Cambodia and officially recognized the French protectorate on Cambodia. Cambodia was integrated into the French Indochina union in 1887 along with the French colonies and protectorates in Vietnam (Cochinchina, Annam and Tonkin). In 1946, Cambodia was granted self-rule within the French Union and had its protectorate status abolished in 1949. Cambodia later gained its independence and the independent day was celebrated on 9 November 1953.