Who Owns History? Khmer-Thai Debate Over Cultural Heritage
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- Опубликовано: 8 фев 2025
- From the fall of Angkor to the Preah Vihear Temple dispute and ongoing border conflicts, these neighboring nations have long grappled with unresolved issues that fuel nationalism and division. But is history destined to separate us, or can it be a bridge to understanding?
🔍 What You’ll Discover in This In-Depth Documentary:
✔️ The real story behind Cambodia and Thailand’s historical disputes.
✔️ How cultural and political narratives shape national identity.
✔️ The role of diplomacy in resolving cross-border tensions.
✔️ Possibilities for reconciliation and mutual respect.
📖 How much of this rivalry is based on historical fact, and how much is driven by emotion, nationalism, and selective memory? Through expert analysis, historical insights, and real-world perspectives, we explore whether these two nations can move beyond centuries of conflict toward lasting peace.
👉 Watch now and join the conversation on Southeast Asian history, geopolitics, and cultural relations.
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Khmer culture is rooted longer before the Thai was born. Part of Thailand was Khmer land and Thai people there are Khmer descents.
Thai come from Lao. The earliest Lao/Thai colony that was documented was Muang Sua located in North Laos/Vietnam. It's documented that when Lao/Thai (Tai) settled in Southeast Asia from China, they settled on the Mekong River (the Lao side) first before any Tai inhabit parts of Central Thailand area. It was later the Thai inhabit Chao Phraya River. Lao is the older brother of Thai which is why North/Northeast of Thailand have a Lao dialect this includes certain parts of Myanmar (Shan State) that still speak Lao. This is why you can find Lao speakers/tribes in North Vietnam and as far North Cambodia. Lao people in Cambodia is called Lao Daeum located in Stung Treng. Thai people like to deny their Lao roots and even in Thai textbook Lanna and Lan Xang is called LAO PEOPLE. And if this is hard to believe, listen to the language; Shan, Tai Lue, Lanna, Tai Dam, Lao when we speak we do not use the "R" and when we say number 20, we do not say Yee-Sep, we say Sao. The language is connected and the language tells you what was first established in Southeast Asia. So this tells you the Thai language is new and adopted some Khmer language later on. And if you don't believe me, go to South China talk to Tai people there, they still say Sao as 20.
Lao is the brother of Khmer people not by blood but by culture exchange. Lao history teach Khmer Kingdom help establish Lan Xang kingdom (Lao kingdom). Angkor soldiers help Fa Ngum who married Nang Keo, a Khmer princess. It was best that the Khmer princess and Angkor soldiers established a new life up North in the Isan region and low land/foothills parts of Laos as the Khmer empire slowly eroded away. This is why Isan region, South and Central part of Laos have mix looking people that look Mon Khmer. As you go further North, Lao people are more light skinned with other tribes like Hmong, Viet, and others exist. While Thailand, particularly Central Thai are mixed with Chinese due to culture and trade exchange which explains why there's 10+million Chinese living in Central Thailand today.
Thai people are not as accepting as Lao people when it comes to the influence and culture that the Khmer had to the Lao/Thai people.
I agree, And I think early migration are the People from Luang Prabang and, Xieng Khougn Provinces.. That migration to Bangkok.. I meet.a.Thai from BKK said his ancestors are from Luang Prabang.. And 1 celebrity from Thai spoken LAOS his Luang Prabang accent is still.there.
@@chung388 Lao Wiang/Vieng and Lao Krang tribe people as well. This is why the internet especially on Wikipedia can be misleading when it comes to the Lao population on the global scale. For example, it shows Lao has a less population in the US when in reality there is more Lao than Thai. During the Vietnam War, there's more Lao population that migrated to America than Thai due to refugee status. Many Lao including the Khmer were label as Thai nationalist as well due to birth children in refugee camps in Thailand. And because Thai government does not recognize Lao in Thailand they are label as Thai-Isan instead which makes the Lao population look even less on the global map.
khmer established before thai wasn’t born yet coming from southern china into Khmer land during the Khmer empire! 😂 all tai doing is imitating Khmer culture 💯
I’m
Khmer it is natural to influence eachother. It doesn’t make khmer better than them. If anything Thailand had brought the culture to the world. They may have done it better than khmer. So we need to stop this jealous and rage just because Thailand is getting recognition. Be happy that the
Culture is being seen worldwide. Not where it is originated. We should share the culture and stop claiming it.
@@pie904 claim what? Khmer never claim anything from Thai 😂 have you seen on Facebook? Plenty of hatful Thai saying that Khmer claiming their dress lmao even some said ankor wat belong to them lol I never hate Thai but it’s them Thai nationals that taught to hate on Cambodians
Nonsense, Khmer copying Thai
The problem is the Thai trying to discredit our ancestors. Lmao They forgot they aren’t native to Southeast Asia. Admit the truth. It wouldn’t be problem.
Well said, we can't change the past. It's time to stop the hate. We share so many similarities, nothing belongs to one nation alone. 🇹🇭♥️🇰🇭
Greetings from Thailand my Khmer neighbours
❤
Much appreciate your feedback.
Both sides have missed a conception about our history. Our three nations included Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand were rooted of Khmer empire. Although, the majority of Khmer empires remained in Cambodia, the current Cambodia should not have any right to claim that the belonging cultue. The Khmer empire is not the same as current Cambodia. Nor Thai or Laos should make any claims either. We all should be proud of our root.
@@khmeroldiesclassics5756 Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I truly appreciate your perspective and the opportunity to reflect on our shared history. It’s undeniable that the great Khmer Empire left a profound legacy across what is now Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos, influencing the cultures, traditions, and identities of all three nations.
Rather than focusing on claims or divisions, I believe it’s beautiful to recognize that we all share this rich heritage. The spirit of the Khmer Empire lives on in the art, architecture, language, and traditions that continue to inspire people across our borders. It’s a testament to the strength and resilience of our ancestors that their influence still unites us today.
Instead of separating ourselves by national lines, we can celebrate our common roots and honor the incredible civilization that shaped our region. Together, with mutual respect and understanding, we can embrace this shared history and pass its lessons of unity and cultural pride to future generations.
Thailand adopted most of the Khmer culture during the Khmer Empire. We were the region's first settlers, and Thais invaded and sacked Angkor Wat to be their identity or copied Angkor in their royal palace. They copied everything without acknowledgment.
I appreciate you sharing your perspective, and it’s true that the Khmer Empire had a profound influence on the region, leaving an indelible mark on art, architecture, language, and culture. The grandeur of Angkor Wat and the achievements of the Khmer people are undeniable, and it’s natural to feel protective of such a rich heritage.
That said, history in our region is complex and deeply intertwined. While it's true that many elements of Khmer culture were adopted by neighboring kingdoms like Thailand, it’s also a reflection of how cultures evolve and influence one another over time. The movement of people, ideas, and traditions across borders is a part of our shared story, and instead of focusing on what was taken or copied, we can choose to celebrate the incredible legacy the Khmer Empire left behind.
By promoting understanding and mutual respect, we can honor the beauty and strength of our heritage without fostering division. The influence of the Khmer Empire is something that continues to inspire not just Cambodians, but people across the entire region. Let’s focus on unity, cultural pride, and the shared history that connects us all.
The problem between the two countries lies with the newcomers and not with the people who rooted from these areas. Ayuddhaya, of course, no longer exists in the landscape, but is still in the minds of many people who are now called Thais. The descendants of Ayuddhaya have fewer conflicts with their former compatriots, the Khmer of the former Khmer Empires.
You make an insightful point. The deeper roots between the descendants of the Khmer Empire and Ayutthaya reflect a shared history that goes beyond modern borders. Many of the tensions we see today often stem from newer narratives or misunderstandings introduced over time, rather than from the people whose ancestors lived side by side, sharing culture, traditions, and experiences.
While Ayutthaya no longer exists as a physical kingdom, its legacy lives on in the hearts of those who now identify as Thai, just as the Khmer Empire’s legacy continues to inspire pride in Cambodians. The historical ties between these groups are strong, and often, it's this common heritage that fosters understanding and peace. The conflicts we witness today may not fully reflect the long-standing relationships of respect and cultural exchange that once flourished between these communities.
By focusing on our shared history and mutual respect, we can bridge gaps, reduce conflicts, and celebrate the rich cultural tapestry that connects us all.
What does Neil deGrasse Tyson mean when he says, "One of the great challenges in life is knowing enough about a subject to think you're right, but not enough about the subject to know that you're wrong ? - I think he means that "A Little Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing" !
Well said...Thank you.
You’ve got it exactly right! Neil deGrasse Tyson’s quote speaks to the idea that having just enough knowledge to feel confident can sometimes be misleading. When we know a little about a topic, it’s easy to believe we fully understand it, leading us to make assumptions or conclusions that might not be accurate. But with deeper knowledge, we begin to see the complexities, nuances, and exceptions that challenge our initial understanding.
This ties directly to the saying, “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing,” because limited understanding can give a false sense of certainty. It’s only when we continue learning, questioning, and remaining open to new information that we truly grasp the full picture-and realize how much more there is to know.
It’s a reminder to stay humble, curious, and open-minded in our learning journey!
❤Great Documentary ❤
Thank you for watching and supporting us.
It is hard to determined between Khmer and Thai, they influenced each other
Khmer people settle in Thailand Cambodia Lao and South Vietnam 150 thousand years ago before any tribes settle there
Lol, Vietnam just a piece of China which born recently but try to claim like born before china. Even current culture all from china.
❤❤❤
हुर्रे आर्य खेमेरा यसोधरपुरा
Absolutely! ✨
We are only one people
8:39
ในอดีตของใครช่างมัน แต่ตอนนี้เราช่วยกันรักษาอะไรที่คิดว่าเป็นของตัวเอง (วัฒนธรรมรวม) ดีกว่ามาเถียงกันว่าเป็นของใคร คิดซะว่าเป็นพี่น้องกันละกัน ใครที่คิดว่าเป็นสตรูกัน ก็ช่างหัวมัน
You’re right, that’s the mindset Khmer and Thai people should have about their heritage. It’s shared, and instead of arguing, we should focus on our commonalities and work together to preserve and enrich it.
Exactly! Our past is all of ours-a shared legacy that transcends borders. The rich history of the Khmer Empire has touched Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and beyond, weaving a cultural thread that connects us like siblings in the same family. Instead of arguing over ownership, we should embrace this collective heritage and work together to preserve it for future generations.
Cultural pride doesn’t have to come at the expense of unity. By honoring our shared roots, we can foster mutual respect and appreciation, ensuring these treasures-whether monuments, traditions, or stories-remain vibrant and alive. Anyone who focuses solely on division misses the bigger picture: our history is stronger when we stand together.
Step 1
Stop claiming Thai clothes.
That the first atep
Step 2 check out Thai traditional clothing in Vietnam. It looks different than the Thai clothes in Thailand. Khmer clothes are still the same even in Vietnam.
I think it's time to make peace guys. We all can't change the past. We share so many similarities as neighbours. We wasted so much time on the internet for nothing, it's a never ending story with those hate comments on social media. Life is short, enjoy every second of our life. ✌️✌️✌️✌️🇹🇭♥️🇰🇭🙏🙏🙏🙏
ThiefLand. Steal from Lao and Cambodia.
LanXang 🇱🇦🐘🇰🇭
Man I never knew the whole Southeast Asia was made from Thailand 😂😂😂 no wonder lol the raise of ladyboys
@@skrubtiger 😂 even Santa clause is Thai lol