Phnom Penh (FN), Oct. 11 – Cambodian Delegate Minister Jean François Tan called for an end to the debate and offensive language surrounding the Miss Grand controversy, warning that it could escalate into a prolonged conflict.

The delegate minister spoke on Friday (Oct. 11) at a press conference regarding the outcomes of Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet’s participation in the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits held in Vientiane, Laos.

According to the minister, the prime ministers of Cambodia and Thailand did not discuss the Miss Grand International issue during their meeting in Laos. However, this does not imply that the two leaders were unaware of the situation.

Jean François Tan underscored, "I can confidently say that both leaders did not raise this issue. However, that doesn't mean they are unaware of the controversy circulating on Facebook and social media. As everyone knows, social media is the fastest way for information to spread [...] Therefore, I urge everyone to engage in reasoned discussions and calm explanations, rather than resorting to insults, which could escalate into a long-term conflict and turn a private matter into a national issue."

Please be informed that tensions between Cambodians and Thais have been rising due to comments made by the owner of Miss Grand International, headquartered in Thailand, who insulted Cambodians and accused the organisers of Miss Grand Cambodia of hosting substandard and unprofessional events.
=FRESH NEWS