Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, has recommended the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts to work with its neingbouring counterparts for a joint registration of their martial arts on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO.
The Cambodian Premier made the recommendation following the ongoing controversial conflict over the original ownership of Kun Khmer, Cambodian traditional martial art, or Muay Thai in Thailand.
“No need to get into conflict over the ownership,” said Samdech Techo Hun Sen, adding that when Cambodia hosts a competition, the sport is called Kun Khmer, likewise it is called Muay Thai or Muay Lao when there is a match in Thailand or Laos, respectively.
The Cambodian Prime Minister said he had raised the issue with his Thai and Lao counterparts during their recent meetings.
Recently, Thailand has decided to boycott the Kum Khmer events in the upcoming SEA Games in Cambodia on ground when the latter has dropped Muay Thai to use its own version of Kun Khmer.
The same case is for Sankranta (New Year celebration), he stressed, explaining that Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand can apply for a joint registration at UNESCO even though they celebrate it separately.
Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse