Capital’s Wat Phnom a sacred icon sullied, local residents claim

via Phnom Penh Post, 13 October 2022: Phnom Penh’s iconic Wat Phnom has an unsavoury reputation at night.

Cambodian history professor Sambor Manara said that when speaking about Wat Phnom, people should ponder the historical significance of the site. The late night activities that go on there have seriously affected the way people think of it, he added.

“The fact that sex workers are gathering there at night is disgraceful. The Wat is the home of the stupa of the late King Ponhea Yat. On top of the immorality of what goes on, the area is unsafe at night,” he said.

He added that after dark, the location was considered dangerous by most members of the public. There were few who would walk through the area between 6pm and 8am.

He said that young people may laugh about Wat Phnom’s reputation, but they should look beyond that and learn about its important its significance to the Khmer Empire.

Source: Capital’s Wat Phnom a sacred icon sullied, local residents claim | Phnom Penh Post