Among neighboring Southeast Asian countries, few have experienced as heated and enduring a cultural conflict as Thailand and Cambodia. While they share historical and cultural ties, these have often become sources of tension. From the Preah Vihear temple dispute to widespread online debates about the origins of the shared cultural heritage, this tug-of-war has persisted for decades.
Even though state-to-state relations between the two countries appear friendly and cordial, people-to-people relations tell a different story. This is largely because each side insists that their respective countries are the origin of some aspect of culture, ranging from martial arts to traditional dance and costumes. One such conflict erupted during the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia, where the host country dropped Muay Thai and replaced it with its own version, Kun Khmer, as an official sport, sparking outcry from the Thai side.
The cultural rivalry between the two nations is merely the tip of the iceberg. It has often been assumed that history is a significant driving force behind the phenomenon, but how much does it truly shape the perceptions on both sides? Is there any other underlying cause behind it? And how do Thais and Cambodians perceive this issue?
