Tourism chief backs arrest of five British travellers at pool party
Cambodia’s tourism minister has backed the arrest of a group of 10 foreign tourists, including five Britons, who have been charged with ‘producing pornography’ following an organised pool party in Siem Reap.
The tourists face up to a year in prison if convicted of the offences.
The group, who were among about 90 travellers attending an organised ‘Let’s Get Wet’ event in a private Siem Reap villa, is made up of one Dutch citizen, two Canadians, a New Zealander and a Norwegian as well as five Britons.
Provincial court prosecutor Keut Vannareth told Reuters the 10 travellers had been provisionally charged with producing pornography even though none were naked during their antics.
The ‘Let’s Get Wet’ parties are described as ‘Asia’s biggest pool crawl’ which includes ‘a whole day of partying in a Villa Mansion’ with a BBQ and DJ.
The event was raided by police who accused them of ‘dancing pornographically’.
"When police arrived, they were wearing underwear and bras as they drank. The charge of producing pornography is a little too harsh. Now, they are in prison and this is too much," said their lawyer, Sourng Sophea.
He said those accused had not posted any pictures of the event on social media, but a video of the party has been posted on Youtube.
However, Cambodia’s tourism minister Thong Khon is backing charges against the group, saying ‘the law bans this kind of thing. Siem Reap is a heritage site’.
It is not the first time Siem Reap authorities have been irked by western tourists’ lack of modesty.
Two years ago three Frenchmen were detained, fined and deported for naked selfies at an Angkor Wat temple.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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