Visitors
who dress immodestly will not be allowed to enter Cambodia's famed Angkor temple
complex, the agency that oversees the site said Thursday.
Long
Kosal, a spokesman for Apsara Authority, which oversees the archaeological
complex, said that beginning Aug. 4, local and foreign tourists will be
required to wear pants or skirts below the knees and shirts that cover their
shoulders. Those not dressed appropriately will be required to change their
clothes before being allowed to enter the temple site in northwestern Cambodia.
Long
Kosal said the ban was implemented because "Wearing revealing clothes
disrespects the temple's sanctity."
He said
that his organization had advised tour agencies, hotels and airport officials
last December that all foreign visitors should be aware of what type of clothes
they should wear when they visit.
Illustrations
of what is considered inappropriate clothing and behavior are being posted on
the organization's website, an English version of which is still under
construction.
Angkor
Wat, the spiritual center of the Khmer empire that dominated the region from
the 9th to 15th centuries, is Cambodia's biggest tourist attraction, a UNESCO
World Heritage site and a symbol of national pride that is emblazoned on the
Cambodian flag. About 2.1 million foreign tourists visited last year.
Immodest
dress is not the worst breach of modesty the temples have suffered. Early last
year there was a small spate of Western tourists who posed naked for snapshots,
and those who were caught were fined and deported.
The
Associated Press
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