A day after Chouri Laorhours was crowned Miss Teen Cambodia, her tearful speech was posted on the pageant’s social media account.
In a video, Laorhours carries a Cambodian flag and starts her speech in Khmer. Speaking “on behalf of all Cambodian people,” she asks for the return of 18 Cambodian soldiers being held by Thailand, according to the Khmer Times newspaper.
Soon after the clip was posted on Monday, it drew contrasting comments on both sides of the border.
Cambodians commended her for her patriotic speech. Thais, however, questioned the appropriateness of making such a political statement during a beauty pageant, while others accused her of fanning anti-Thai sentiments at such a sensitive time, The Nation reported. The phrase “Thailand started the war” is also trending online.
