SIEM REAP: The APSARA Authority has requested businesses in front of Angkor Wat to stop decorating traditional Khmer clothing for tourists visiting Angkor Wat, after experts found out that some of the traditional costumes on sale were not made properly according to the rules and regulations on Cambodian culture and traditions.

According to the Siem Reap Provincial Information Department, APSARA Authority spokesman, Long Kosal, confirmed that some people, most of whom live in the Angkor area, have set up traditional Khmer costumes for tourists to buy and wear while visiting Angkor Wat. However, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts recently examined the decoration of the traditional Khmer clothes at these shops and found that they were not in accordance with the traditional rules of ancient Khmer culture.

The ASARA Authority Spokesman continued, "In the past, the APSARA Authority has also advised those who do business in the traditional Khmer clothing to understand the rules of Khmer clothing and the period of time clearly before providing the clothing for guests, which can lead to confusion too."

He added that the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts also plans to send professional officers to guide and train those who are engaged in the decoration and sale of traditional Khmer clothing to know the rules and culture of authentic Khmer clothing before continuing with their business, and in order to properly promote Khmer traditional culture.

He said that the APSARA Authority, as well as the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, would like to see the traditional Khmer clothes prepared for tourists to be done well and in accordance with the correct customs, rules and traditions of ancient Khmer culture.