Historical Photograph and Costume Presentation at Miss Universe Cambodia 2026

Following reports carried by both Cambodian and Thai media regarding a video presentation (VTR) featured at the Miss Universe Cambodia 2026 pageant, which presented aspects of Cambodian dress culture and visibly included an image originating from Thailand, the Ministry of Culture has issued the following statement:

 The Ministry of Culture considers that the use of the image in question cannot simply be attributed to a lack of awareness or inadvertent error. Rather, it indicates that the producers of the VTR intended to make a claim, generalize the historical context, and lead the public to believe that the attire depicted was genuinely associated with the Cambodian royal court.

 In this regard, the Ministry of Culture, which oversees the Fine Arts Department and the National Archives of Thailand, calls on the Miss Universe Cambodia pageant organizers to cease the dissemination of misleading information and urges them to exercise the utmost caution when citing the sources of historical photographs.

 The photograph in question is the image known as “Siamese Woman of Kamphaeng Phet”, taken in 1906 during the reign of His Majesty King Chulalongkorn. The photograph is preserved as part of The Royal Photographic Glass Plate Negatives and Original Prints Collection, which was inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World International Register in 2017.

         The original glass-plate negative preserved at the National Archives bears the Fine Arts Department’s watermark. However, the version used by the pageant organizers appears to have had the Fine Arts Department watermark removed, and no source attribution was provided.

 In response to this incident, the Ministry of Culture, through the Fine Arts Department as the custodian of the relevant information, will formally submit a letter of protest to the organizers of the Miss Universe Cambodia pageant. Should the dissemination and use of the material in question continue, the Ministry will consider escalating the matter and taking further action by assigning the relevant Thai authorities to pursue appropriate legal measures.

 With regard to its ongoing efforts, the Ministry of Culture has continuously promoted and disseminated knowledge of Thai cultural heritage both domestically and internationally. In particular, the Ministry has organized exhibitions showcasing Thai National Dress overseas, including in Hague, Netherlands, and Tokyo, Japan, with a forthcoming presentation in France.

 These exhibitions also provide educational information on traditional Thai attire that forms the historical foundation of Thai National Dress. Such dissemination of cultural knowledge plays an important role in fostering international understanding and represents a significant form of cultural diplomacy.

 The Ministry of Culture has also worked closely with Thai embassies overseas to promote Thai dress at major cultural events. For example, on September 19–20, the Thailand Grand Festival 2026 was held in Sydney, Australia, where actress “Aff Taksaorn” participated in a fashion presentation featuring Thai NationalDress.

Similarly, when Thai antiquities were exhibited at the National Museum of Korea, one of the world's largest national museums, Thai traditional dress was also included as part of the cultural presentation.

 As Minister of Culture, together with the Ministry's executive leadership, I would like to emphasize that the Ministry of Culture uses every available platform to communicate and promote knowledge about Thai traditional dress and has never been indifferent to the preservation of Thailand's cultural heritage.

 The Ministry will use culture as a platform to foster mutual understanding, rather than to create conflict. However, where there is an infringement or misuse of Thai cultural heritage, we will not simply let the matter pass, and we will take firm and decisive action as appropriate.

 I would like to thank all Thai citizens who have expressed their appreciation for and concern over Thai National dress, which is an important part of our national heritage. I, together with the Ministry of Culture, share that same commitment to protecting and preserving this heritage.

 The Ministry of Culture reaffirms that it will address this matter seriously and will not disregard the issue. At the same time, we appreciate our neighboring countries' continued interest in promoting Thai National dress. However, we respectfully ask that all such use and dissemination be accompanied by complete and accurate attribution of the relevant historical sources.

 In undertaking any further action, the Ministry of Culture will proceed with prudence and due consideration, with the aim of ensuring that the inscription of Thai National Dress in December proceeds smoothly.

Source: Ministry of Culture