Miss Universe Cambodia responds over Thai historical photo use
Miss Universe Cambodia 2026 attributes the use of a historic Thai image to insufficient source checks and denies any intent to cause misunderstanding.
- Miss Universe Cambodia organizers stated the use of a historical Thai photograph was unintentional, attributing the error to "insufficient" verification of the image's source.
- The controversy began when the pageant presented the 1906 photo, "Siamese Woman of Kamphaeng Phet," as part of ancient Khmer culture in a video presentation.
- In response to the photo's use, Thailand's Ministry of Culture is preparing a formal objection and has reserved the right to pursue legal action.
- The pageant's statement has been criticized for lacking a formal apology and for not specifically mentioning Thailand or the name of the photograph.
A cross-border controversy has emerged in the pageant world after Miss Universe Cambodia 2026 used the historical photograph “Siamese Woman of Kamphaeng Phet”, dating from the reign of King Rama V, in a presentation portraying it as ancient Khmer culture.
Thailand’s Ministry of Culture responded with plans for a formal objection, while the pageant organisers later issued a statement saying the image’s source had not been sufficiently checked and that there was no intention to cause misunderstanding.
The controversy arose during the Preliminary round of Miss Universe Cambodia 2026, when a video on traditional dress culture featured the significant Thai historical photograph “Siamese Woman of Kamphaeng Phet”.
The image was taken in 1906, during the reign of King Chulalongkorn, Rama V.
The original is held by the National Archives of Thailand under the Fine Arts Department and was inscribed on UNESCO’s Memory of the World International Register in 2017.
However, the image used on stage had its watermark removed and did not identify its source, prompting widespread criticism on social media.
Culture Minister Sabeeda Thaised later issued an urgent statement stressing that the incident could not be regarded merely as a lack of awareness.
She said the ministry was preparing a formal letter of objection asking the pageant organisers to correct the information and reserved the right to pursue legal action if the organisers continued to ignore the matter.
Most recently, Miss Universe Cambodia 2026, led by national director Prasat Davin, released a statement addressing the issue.
Its key points were:
- The use of the image was not intentional and there was no intention to cause misunderstanding, conflict or distress to audiences either domestically or internationally.
- The main reason was “insufficient” verification of the image’s original source.
- The team said its sole purpose was to present the beauty and cultural diversity of traditional clothing such as the “sabai”.
- The pageant organisers accepted all criticism and said they would treat the incident as an important lesson, improving their process for verifying information and image sources to make it more responsible and accurate.
However, the statement remained under public scrutiny because it did not directly mention Thailand, the “Siamese Woman of Kamphaeng Phet” photograph or the Fine Arts Department watermark.
It also contained no formal apology.
Further actions and measures from Thailand’s Ministry of Culture will therefore continue to be closely watched.
