Angkor Wat Travel Forum

Is it appropriate to take photos of the monks while they are at their prayers in the temples ? I'm thinking of the quiet photos, not a posed one. And, if you ask for a posed one, either at Angkor Wat or in Siem Reap, is it appropriate to ask, and is it expected that a small payment be made for the photo ?

We are heading to Siem Reap for five days next month, and are searching the archives here for your suggestions. Thanks!

Would you like someone taking a photo of you while you are praying?

No, it is certainly not appropriate.

As posted, none appreciated being photographed while praying. However, many accepted being photographed in passing. They were thankful to have been asked, whether verbally or by gesture before the picture was taken.

I apologize if my question sounded insensitive, however, when I did a search on the 'net for some photos of Angkor Wat I was surprised to see one in particular that was of a monk praying, and because I thought that it was rather inappropriate, I felt the need to ask the question.

I am certainly not the type of 'tourist' who would want to be insensitive to the culture of the place where I am visiting, and appreciate the responses that confirmed what I remember learning many years ago during international protocol training.

Happy trails.

We took several photos of the monks wandering around the temples. They dont seem to mind some we took when they werent aware ie from the back framed in a doorway of the temple the ones that were aware we made the gesture with the camera they were fine and never asked for payment.

We also took photos of those wandering around. Some even voluntered themselves to be photographed. One even tapped me on the shoulders, pointed to my camera and asked if he and I can be photographed together. Fond memories :)