The Thai Ministry of Commerce has issued a statement asking exporters from the country to refrain from using Angkor Wat imagery in the branding of their products.
According to Seang Thai, spokesman at the Cambodian Ministry of Commerce, Thailand recently warned producers in the country to stop using Angkor Wat pictures in their packaging.
“Just now, Thailand’s commerce advisors have told firms about the consequences of using pictures of Angkor Wat on rice packages produced in Thailand,” he said. “The firms agreed to stop the practice and to use a new design.”
The statement from the Thai authorities follows controversy in Cambodia after pictures surfaced on Facebook last month showing packages of rice for sale in Toronto, Canada, featuring pictures of Angkor Wat, despite the fact that the bags had a ‘Product of Thailand’ label.
