Camera-toting drones banned from Cambodia's famed Angkor complex

Cambodia has issued a directive to ban remote-controlled miniature aircraft from flying over the famed Angkor archeological park in northwestern Siem Reap province, an official confirmed on Wednesday.

Long Kosal, deputy director of the communications department of the Apsara Authority, which manages the ancient site, said the directive, signed by Apsara Authority's director-general Sum Map, was publicized on Nov. 4.

"The ban is aimed at ensuring safety for domestic and foreign tourists and preventing any impacts on the ancient temples, as well as maintaining security and order at the temples," he told Xinhua.

"Violators will face warnings or see their drones confiscated," he said.

According to Kosal, in case of necessity, drone users must apply for a permit from the Apsara Authority.

Angkor archaeological park, inscribed on the UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1992, is the kingdom's top tourist destination.

The ancient site attracted some 1.56 million foreigners during the first nine months of 2016, generating a gross revenue of more than 44 million U.S. dollars from ticket sales, according to government figures.

Drones have been prohibited from flying over Phnom Penh capital's airspace since Feb. 2015 after a German tourist flew his video camera-mounted drone over the Royal Palace and was spotted by Queen Mother Norodom Monineath as she performed her daily exercise routine. Enditem