BANGKOK, Thailand – Miss Universe Cambodia has acknowledged an error in using a historical photograph it presented as Cambodian, saying the image was included unintentionally because its source had not been properly verified. National director Prasat Davin issued the statement yesterday following strong protests from Thailand’s Culture Ministry, which demanded a correction and an apology.

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Prasat said the use of certain images resulted from insufficient verification of their original sources and stressed there was no intention to cause misunderstanding, controversy or offend audiences at home or abroad. The presentation, he explained, was meant to showcase the diversity and historical value of the traditional Sbai garment, described as a precious cultural heritage of the Khmer nation.

The organisers said they accept constructive criticism and will treat the episode as a learning experience by tightening procedures for verifying information, images and content in future, though the statement did not name Thailand or identify the disputed photograph.

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The row centred on a 1906 photograph of women from Kamphaeng Phet in traditional dress, which appeared in a segment about Cambodian culture and the Sbai. Culture Minister Sabeeda Thaised said the image belongs to the National Archives of Thailand and was taken during King Chulalongkorn’s reign, yet was presented as Cambodian heritage. She noted the original carried a Fine Arts Department watermark that had been cropped out, with no source credited, and called on the organisers to stop spreading misleading information, correct the presentation and apologise.

-Thailand News (TN)