Miss Universe Cambodia 2026 Apologizes Over Thai Photo
Miss Universe Cambodia 2026 issued an apology after using historical photos of Thai women from Kamphaeng Phet without permission.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Miss Universe Cambodia 2026 apologizes over historical photo controversy
- The issue involved using photos of Kamphaeng Phet women as local culture
- Thailand's Ministry of Culture prepared formal warnings against the pageant
- The organizing team vowed to tighten source verification processes
Miss Universe Cambodia has officially issued an apology statement following intense public backlash and criticism over the unauthorized use of historical photographs depicting Thai women, which involved removing watermarks to claim the heritage as Cambodian.
The controversial imagery featured seven women wearing traditional long-sleeved blouses, sabai sashes, andโจงกระเบน (traditional wrapped pants), which the Cambodian side claimed as their own national heritage. However, the image is actually a historical photograph of women from Kamphaeng Phet province, backed by original glass plate negative evidence. This prompted Thailand's Ministry of Culture to step forward with factual proof and prepare official protest letters urging the Cambodian pageant organizers to halt the dissemination of distorted information.
Cultural heritage disputes in Southeast Asia frequently ignite fierce online debates. Using historical photographs without proper source attribution or altering images by removing watermarks not only distorts historical facts but also strains diplomatic cultural relations and triggers public backlash from the source country's citizens.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Recently, the official Miss Universe Cambodia 2026 page released a statement addressing the incident, clarifying that the use of the specific images was unintentional and resulted from a failure to thoroughly verify their original sources. The organization emphasized that there was no malicious intent to cause misunderstandings, public disputes, or emotional distress to the public domestically or internationally.
"วัตถุประสงค์เพียงประการเดียวของการนำเสนอ คือการเชิดชูความหลากหลายและคุณค่าทางประวัติศาสตร์อันลึกซึ้ง ซึ่งสะท้อนผ่านความงดงามและ ความประณีตของ สไบ ชุดแต่งกายเครื่องแขวนแบบดั้งเดิม อันเป็นมรดกทางวัฒนธรรมอันล้ำค่าของชาติเขมร"
Miss Universe Cambodia 2026 Team
Furthermore, the organizing committee stated that they humbly accept all constructive feedback and criticism. They promised to treat this incident as a valuable lesson to improve and increase rigor in verifying the sources of information, images, and content to ensure greater clarity, accuracy, and responsibility in future events.
Source: Thairath Entertainment
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