Travel Alert for Angkor Wat: New Dress Code Bans Tank Tops and Shorts Starting Next Month

▲ Tourists visiting Cambodia’s Angkor Wat must pay close attention to their attire. (Photo / Reporter Chen Ruizhong)

Reported by Tourism Center / Compiled News

Cambodia’s Angkor Wat is a popular tourist destination, but in recent years, foreign visitors have frequently dressed inappropriately—even taking nude photos at the site—drawing strong disapproval from locals. On the 7th, management authorities announced that starting August 4, visitors must wear shirts with sleeves, long pants, or skirts that reach below the knees. Those deemed to be dressed “inappropriately” will be asked to change clothes, and violators will be denied entry.

Long Kosal, spokesperson for the “Apsara Authority” (Angkor Wat Heritage Site Management), explained that the new rules aim primarily to preserve the dignity of the cultural heritage site. In fact, the authorities informed travel agencies, hotels, and airports late last year, asking them to remind tourists about appropriate attire when visiting Angkor Wat.

The dress code violations include overly short pants that expose the buttocks, going braless, and wearing T-shirts that reveal the back or upper body. Apsara posted relevant photos on its website to show tourists what constitutes inappropriate attire. The photos appear to feature Westerners, including one person walking around in just a T-shirt and underwear.

In January last year, three French tourists were caught taking nude photos inside the Banteay Kdei temple at Angkor Wat. They were charged by authorities, fined 1 million Cambodian riels (approximately $250 USD), given a six-month suspended sentence, and banned from entering Cambodia for four years. In February of the same year, an American sister duo was also caught taking nude photos at the Preah Khan temple, another heritage site, and were subsequently fined, deported, and banned from re-entering for four years.