Cambodia allows international tourists to freely take photos at Angkor Archaeological Park

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet announced on August 2 that international tourists will now be allowed to take photos freely and for free at Angkor Archaeological Park.

View of Angkor Wat temple complex in Siem Reap province. Photo: AFP/VNA

The decision was made to promote and attract more tourists to the World Heritage Site recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Siem Reap province, northwestern Cambodia.

According to Prime Minister Hun Manet, domestic and foreign tourists will be free to take wedding photos at Angkor Archaeological Park, or post photos and video clips on social networking sites such as YouTube, Facebook, TikTok or other social media to promote the site.

Prime Minister Hun Manet stated: "From now on, tourists do not need to ask permission (from the APSARA National Administration) to take wedding photos in their country's traditional costumes. However, tourists must comply with Angkor's code of conduct: do not wear revealing clothes, do not take nude photos, do not violate our cultural values."

According to Prime Minister Hun Manet, national and international media are also allowed to take photos at this archaeological site for free, but must obtain permission from the APSARA National Management Authority, and report in detail the technical specifications as well as the purpose of the photography by these agencies.

Commercial photography or filming sessions, as well as drone filming sessions, still require approval from Cambodian authorities and a fee to be paid to the APSARA National Management Authority.

The 401 square kilometer Angkor Archaeological Park is home to 91 ancient temples, built from the 9th to the 13th centuries.

In the first seven months of this year, the park earned nearly $27.2 million in ticket sales, up 33.8 percent from the same period last year.

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