“Ancient Temple Becomes Latest Playground: Influencer Faces Backlash for ‘Temple Run’ Stunt!”
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@sarah0utside real life temple run #fyp #templerun #angkorwat #angkorwatcambodia ♬ Temple Run 2 (Game Remix) – Josh Abbott
Simon reportedly said he’s spoken to Cambodian counterparts and officials overseeing the complex who share his concerns, stating: “Angkor Wat is still deeply revered by the people.”
“Every stone is considered to contain the spirits of the ancestors,” he added.
However, the authority that oversees the Angkor temple complex hasn’t issued any reprimands to discourage the viral trend, according to Bloomberg.
Some have slammed the videos of social media content creators running in sacred spaces
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Hollywood introduced Angkor Wat to much of the world when the 2001 movie Lara Croft: Tomb Raider was filmed at the complex’s Angkor Thom temple, as per Bloomberg.
Angkor, which is on the United Nations’ World Heritage List and consists of more than 100 temples, is one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia.
When History Meets TikTok: Angkor Wat Edition #NoCoinsCollected #TempleRunners #CambodiaGoneWild pic.twitter.com/dntL8U7PvZ
— Ottster Gaming (@OttsterG) August 29, 2024
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As per the American outlet, Angkor’s ruins are a big economic driver for the predominantly rural country. Before the pandemic hit, the 400-acre compound saw a record 6.6 million tourists who brought in more than $80 million in ticket sales. So far this year, the ruins have attracted some 630,000 visitors.
