In an apparent bid to put an end to the war of words over the Kun Khmer-Muay Thai conflict, Cambodian strongman Hun Sen has proposed that both terms for the martial art should be accepted.
If Cambodia plays host to a sporting event, such as the forthcoming SEA Games 2023, he said it should be called Kun Khmer.
But the title will switch back to Muay Thai if Thailand is host, Prime Minister Hun Sen said while addressing a cultural event last week in Phnom Penh.
If it's Vientiane's turn as a host, it should be called Muay Laos. If the three countries reach a consensus, there is no need for a boycott.
Eventually, Hun Sen said the countries should jointly apply to register the martial art as a Unesco intangible heritage item together.
The Cambodian leader also wanted countries which observe similar cultural events, such as the traditional new year, known as Songkran in Thai and Chol Chhanam Thamey in Khmer, to seek joint registration with Unesco, instead of each going it alone.
Thailand is in the process of registering Songkran and also pha khao ma cloth with Unesco. The check-patterned cloth is called kroma in Khmer.
His initiative is a departure from the strong stance of the secretary-general of the Cambodia SEA Games Organising Committee (CAMSOC), Vath Chomroeun, who declared Cambodia will boycott the 33rd SEA Games 2025, to be hosted by Thailand, should the martial art be called Muay Thai.
Not everyone welcomes Hun Sen's idea. Some ultra-nationalist elements in Cambodia have denounced it, saying they are disappointed with his "weakness.'' The Thai side has given a lukewarm response.
For the name, it may be too late for change, given the hard feelings harboured by those involved.
Some also remain sceptical, particularly given that the Cambodians base their claims of origin on bas-relief sculptures adorning some ancient temple walls in Angkor Wat that depicted bare-hand fighting.
Yet Muay Thai advocates insist that generations of Thai boxers have developed the martial art for centuries, and boxing is a matter of national pride.
On top of that, the aggressiveness of the CAMSOC secretary-general in employing nationalism from the beginning makes it difficult for both sides to reach a compromise, as the Cambodian premier suggests.
So, it's likely that Thai boxing will choose to opt out of the forthcoming SEA Games.
However, the idea of joint heritage registration warrants serious consideration. Both countries have shared cultural heritage that they should cherish together with a sense of regional solidarity.
The neighbours need not fight against each other over traditions and values they share.
Joint registration with Unesco is not unprecedented. This month, Thailand joined four other Asean nations in nominating bekaya, a piece of traditional clothing worn by millions of women in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, as an addition to Unesco's intangible heritage list. Indonesia was initially reluctant, thinking the country is the birthplace of bekaya, but it finally adopted a joint, win-win approach.
Why not follow that example? The Ministry of Culture should suspend the Songkran and pha khao ma registration process and extend a hand to its neighbours, so joint registration will be possible.
Meanwhile, Unesco should examine registration proposals made by individual countries if matters of transborder heritage are involved.
