Selfies with monks banned at Ankor Wat
Cambodia has updated a code of ethics for tourists visiting the Angkor Wat temple complex, banning selfies, smoking and skimpy clothing.
The ‘code of conduct’ for tourists advises visitors to wear modest clothing, not to take a selfie with monks at the temple, touch ancient carvings or enter restricted areas.
It also asks tourists not to litter or give money or gifts to begging children.
Posters put up around the temples and in Siam Reap tourist hotels recently state: “Giving candy or money to children encourages them not to attend school but to beg. If you wish to help the children, please consider donating to a recognised charity.”
The Apsara National Authority, which manages the UNESCO World Heritage site, has released an accompanying video detailing the code of conduct.
“For the preservation and sustainable development of Angkor, our sacred world heritage site, it’s our duty to respect the code of conduct,” Apsara National Authority’s Sok Sangvar said.
“These rules are made in order to prevent negative impacts on our temple, our environment and our culture,” he said.
Angkor Wat is by far Cambodia’s most popular tourist attraction and a number of ‘naked selfie’ incidents involving foreign tourists have caused an uproar in the country.
Last year a New Zealand tourist admitted vandalising a 12th century statue after illegally staying overnight in a temple.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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