Rolls-Royces, Ferraris and Lamborghinis paraded past Cambodia’s centuries-old temples at the famed Angkor Wat temple today, although drivers were banned from revving their supercharged engines.
The event was aimed at promoting the environmentally sensitive UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site, where the ruins of the Khmer Empire’s greatest monuments are surrounded by lush forests and towering trees. Angkor Wat is the world’s largest temple complex.
Tourism is vital to the Southeast Asian country, which received around 6.6 million visitors a year before the COVID-19 pandemic, while in 2021 that number dropped to below 200,000.
People take pictures of supercars taking part in the Gumball 3000 rally in Cambodia. (AFP Photo)
Visitor numbers peaked at about 5.5 million last year, generating more than $3 billion in revenue but remained below pre-pandemic levels.
Asked about the incongruous nature of the occasion, Cambodia’s tourism minister Sok Soken told AFP that strict guidelines were in place, and that speeding was banned “as a disrespect to our heritage”.
A woman strikes a ‘namaste’ pose next to supercars taking part in the Gumball 3000 rally at Angkot Wat, Cambodia.
He spoke a few meters away from a Bugatti Chiron, which reportedly has a list price of more than $3 million for some models.
“The display of cars is an art of technology, an integration of technology and a modern way of travelling,” he said, adding that Cambodia “will be ready to provide hospitality to all kinds of travellers.”
Tourists visit the Angkor Wat temple complex in Siem Reap province, Cambodia (AFP Photo)
An attempt by organisers of the Gumball 3000, a British lifestyle brand, to set a record for the number of supercars and hypercars at the World Heritage site has failed.
However, these vehicles were seen crowded with locals and tourists, who were taking photographs and selfies.
“This is the first time I’ve seen so many modern cars at Angkor Wat,” said university student Kuy Tola, 19. “It’s amazing.”
