Cambodia won't impede Unesco bids, says ministry

PUBLISHED : 20 Jun 2026 at 05:52

NEWSPAPER SECTION: News

The Culture Ministry has insisted Thailand's bids to have traditional Thai costume and Muay Thai recognised by Unesco as intangible cultural heritage items will not be affected by Cambodia's election to a Unesco heritage committee.

Culture Minister Sabeeda Thaised on Friday addressed concerns following Cambodia's election to the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage under Unesco's 2003 Convention for the 2026-2030 term.

She noted Unesco heritage listings are considered through a multilateral process based on established international procedures and academic evidence. She pointed out that Thailand has already served on Unesco's executive board since 2025 and will remain a member until 2029.

She said committee membership does not give any country authority over Unesco's deliberations, which are governed by international procedures and comprehensive academic review. "No single country can independently object to or challenge another nation's cultural heritage," she said.

Ms Sabeesa added that the Culture Ministry was confident in the documentation submitted for the proposed inscription of the royal-style Thai national costume and Muay Thai.

The applications are supported by extensive historical records, design knowledge, photographic evidence and documentation demonstrating their continued use in Thai society.

Cambodia's Ministry of Information said the country had been elected to the Unesco committee during a meeting in Paris on June 17-18.