Cambodia PM Calls for End to Row Over Kickboxing Event Name at SEA Games

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen has called for an end to the row with Thailand over the name of a kickboxing event at the upcoming Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia this May.

Speaking at a public event, Hun Sen explained on Thursday that as the hosts of the games, Cambodia had named the kickboxing event as Kun Khmer, rather than Muay Thai, as it is known in Thailand, as is its right.

The row has intensified as both nations have doubled down on who invented the sport, with both sides laying the claim as the founders. The row has since expanded to netizens, players and now even the highest echelons of government.

To read about the spat click here

Kun Khmer or Muoy Thai

The Cambodian PM though took a slightly more conciliatory tone telling attendees “There should be a reconciliation. If the SEA Games is held in Cambodia, the kickboxing event name must be called Kun Khmer, and if it is held in Thailand, the event name must be called Muay Thai,”

Or as the famous Thai saying goes ” Same same, but different”.

Kun Khmer (or Muay Thai)  is one of the main events at the 2023 SEA Games to be held in Cambodia, with the hosts confident of winning a number of medals.

You can read about the origins of the sport here