via Khmer Times, 02 October 2020 (and more stories below): Although most of the commenters seem to be bemused about ‘copyright infrigement’ angle, there are many layers to this story: the hotel is partly owned by a Khmer couple, according to the Bangkok Post article below. Thailand and Cambodia have had conflicts before over shared heritage and ownership of sites, particularly over Preah Vihear, and more recently the khon/khol dance and thus there is a nationalistic element to this conflict. More recently, a Cambodian man was arrested for suggesting that Angkor Wat belonged to the Vietnamese, and a replica temple was ordered to be dismantled in a restaurant in Cambodia. Cambodia has also raised issues with China and India for replica temples built in their territories as well. The hotel has been closed for a few months due to Covid-19, and has since apologised.
Social media was ablaze today with criticism of a Thai Hotel which seems to be appropriating Khmer culture and landmarks – such as the famed Angkor Wat temple complex – for commercial purposes.
Le Palais hotel, on the Thai island of Koh Phangan, appears to have built an entire complex pastiching some of Cambodia’s most cherished icons under the slogan of “Discover the pride of Angkor”.
Source: Outrage over Thai hotel’s “appropriation of Cambodian culture” – Khmer Times
See also:
- Replica of temples in Thai hotel criticised | Phnom Penh Post, 04 October 2020
- Hotel apologises for Angkor Wat facade | Bangkok Post, 05 October 2020
- HOTEL APOLOGIZES FOR ‘APPROPRIATING’ KHMER TEMPLE DESIGNS | Khaosod English, 05 October 2020
- Thai hotel apologises over “cultural appropriation” of Angkor Wat | Khmer Times, 06 October 2020
