The Cambodian government has written a letter of complaint to online retailer Amazon over the platform’s hosting of bathroom products emblazoned with the image of Angkor Wat and other “national symbols”.
Thai Noraksatya, culture ministry spokesman, said the ministry had sent the letter to Amazon, calling for an immediate halt to the sales of the products on its website.
“We are yet to see a written response [from Amazon]. However, according to our research online, we can see that Amazon already took down those pictures and made adjustments.”
“Generally, it is the duty of the ministry to defend, to serve the government, the people, the culture. We have an obligation to prevent any looking down from foreigners, not just Amazon, which affects national sovereignty and the national and the world heritage.”
The Cambodian Embassy in the United States expressed its “shock” and “disappointment” over the matter.
The Apsara Authority, which oversees the running of the Angkor Wat Temple Complex, said the “ignominious” products should be removed from the site.
VOA could not immediately reach an Amazon spokesperson for comment.
