A diplomatic and cultural dispute has emerged between Thailand and Cambodia following Cambodia’s recent application to UNESCO for recognition of Khmer wedding traditions as Intangible Cultural Heritage. The submission, made in 2025, has triggered concern among Thai nationalist groups who argue that elements of the proposed heritage — particularly wedding attire — resemble Thailand’s own traditional garments.
At the center of the disagreement is the visual similarity between the wedding costumes depicted in Cambodia’s application and Thailand’s “Chud Thai,” or traditional national dress. Critics in Thailand have questioned whether the country’s Ministry of Culture was consulted or notified about the application, raising concerns over cultural attribution and ownership in the region.
In response, Prasop Riangngern, Permanent Secretary at Thailand’s Ministry of Culture, clarified that Cambodia’s proposal is strictly limited to Khmer wedding customs and does not mention Thai cultural dress. He stressed that UNESCO’s evaluation process involves extensive vetting by international experts and prioritizes mutual respect, transparency, and cultural cooperation.
Thailand is also pursuing its own cultural heritage recognition for “Chud Thai: The Knowledge, Craftsmanship and Practices of the Thai National Costume.” That submission was made in 2024 and is slated for UNESCO review in 2026, during the 21st session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Thai costume, known for its distinctive tailoring and regional craftsmanship, was officially recognized as national heritage in 2023 and approved for international consideration in March 2024.
The garments, often worn during ceremonial occasions and weddings, have held symbolic value since Queen Sirikit popularized them during royal visits abroad in the 1960s, highlighting their role in projecting Thai identity.
UNESCO’s cultural heritage framework emphasizes preservation over ownership, encouraging countries to document traditions that reflect the values of their communities. Successful examples of multi-country cooperation include the shared recognition of the “Kebaya” dress by Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, and Thailand. Similarly, Thailand and Cambodia independently submitted “Khon” and “Lakhon Khol” performances in 2018 without conflict, highlighting the possibility of peaceful parallel heritage recognitions.
However, the current debate reflects deeper Thai-Cambodian tensions, including historical disputes over borders and cultural claims. Social media platforms have become battlegrounds for nationalist rhetoric, with some Cambodians accusing Thailand of cultural appropriation, while Thai users derisively label Cambodia as “Claimbodia.”
Experts say these tensions are rooted in historical narratives shaped by nationalism and colonial legacies. Thai writer and historian Sujit Wongthes attributes the conflict to 19th and 20th-century interpretations of race and territory. He advocates for a shift toward “kinship history,” which emphasizes shared cultural and human connections over rigid national boundaries.
Wongthes suggests that while such an approach may not eliminate all disagreements, it can reduce the intensity of conflict and promote long-term regional understanding.
A number of cultural officials and performers, including Miss World Thailand 2025 Suchata Chuangsri, have recently participated in events showcasing traditional Thai attire internationally. Meanwhile, joint cultural programs, such as the Ramayana performance held in July 2024 at the Thailand Cultural Centre, featured artists from Thailand, Cambodia, and neighboring countries, offering examples of peaceful cultural exchange amid rising sensitivities.
