T he Ministry of Tourism has ordered restaurants, night clubs and karaoke bars

and massage parlors in Cambodia to stop topless and naked dancing to entertain

the customers.

In a regulation issued on Jan 25, the ministry said some

restaurants, night clubs and karaoke and massage parlors had broken the

regulation of the Ministry of Tourism by hiring young topless and naked dancers

.

Such a move has spoiled the dignity and the national tradition of the

country, the ministry said.

The ministry threatened the closure and the

confiscation of business license if any restaurants, night clubs, karaoke and

massage parlors which do not obey the regulation.

There are now four

night clubs in Phnom Penh which entertain their customers with naked dancers

from Vietnam and Thailand.

When asked about the report, several long-time

expatriates in the capital said they were unaware of any entertainment

establishments providing topless or naked dancing girls.

Karaoke bars and

nightclubs were unknown entities prior to UNTAC's arrival-AKP