Report Air Cambodia Denies Copying Thai Airways Amid Branding Backlash

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Air Cambodia

 

Branding row ignites regional debate on originality and aviation rivalry

 

Air Cambodia is rebutting claims that it mimicked Thai Airways’ iconic look, asserting its purple-and-gold design is purely Khmer. A social media frenzy erupted after its inaugural flight from Shenzhen to Siem Reap on July 18, as Thai users criticised the striking resemblance to Thai Airways’ livery and uniforms.

 

The Cambodian national carrier dismissed the accusations unequivocally. It issued a statement denying any imitation, citing the similarities as “purely coincidental.”

 

“All components of Air Cambodia’s brand—aircraft livery, uniforms, and branding—are independently crafted in line with international intellectual property and trademark guidelines,” the airline affirmed.

 

Previously known as Cambodia Angkor Air, it rebranded to Air Cambodia Co., Ltd on January 1, symbolising a fresh start while honouring its heritage. The long-standing purple and gold palette remains, representing Cambodian identity.

 

“Air Cambodia’s branding reflects a thoughtful and culturally aware process, celebrating the kingdom’s heritage and pride,” the statement explained.

 

The airline emphasised that its distinct purple represents dignity and devotion, inspired by Khmer aesthetics and derived from Cambodia’s flag colors—blue, red, and white.

 

Adding historical depth, Air Cambodia noted that its colours and emblem trace back to Royal Air Cambodge’s 1956 design, according to the Khmer Times.

 

Facing mounting online criticism, the airline adopted a cooperative stance, advocating for civil dialogue and regional collaboration.

 

“Air Cambodia values strategic partnerships and respects fellow regional carriers,” it stated. “We aim to foster aviation growth through collaboration and cultural exchange.”

 

It also urged the public to provide feedback via official avenues, warning that viral posts “risk misinterpretation and do not capture the brand’s complete heritage context.”

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-24

 

 

[BayArea]

The row between Thai and Khmer is getting out of hand. Next thing you know, both will argue who has the best massage. oops, did I just go there??🤣

[Enoon]

This photo dated 15 years ago ("Cambodia Angkor Air") and it's now become a problem?:

 

 

https://abpic.co.uk/pictures/operator/Cambodia Angkor Air xBOxK6 xSx VAV%2C KHVxBCx

 

 

 

[blaze master]

How many parts of thai culture are *borrowed* from Cambodia? 

[ikke1959]

Thailand forget it in fact Khmer based.. And  now they pretend to have a claim that everything is original Thai based, but Thailand was built from 7 small kingdoms that conquered land from the Khmer...But if there are no problems Thailand will always find one

[Artisi]

4 hours ago, blaze master said:

How many parts of thai culture are *borrowed* from Cambodia? 

Come on now, don't you know that Thailand is and has always been the world's hub of everything. 

[Artisi]

3 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Thailand forget it in fact Khmer based.. And  now they pretend to have a claim that everything is original Thai based, but Thailand was built from 7 small kingdoms that conquered land from the Khmer...But if there are no problems Thailand will always find one

And what didn't originate from a Khmer influence came from India. 

 

[jacnl2000]

No copycatting—just mutually shared legacy colors.

 

When it comes to broad cultural colors—like gold, purple, or red, used by national airlines drawing from shared heritage—these are not exclusive, and can’t be owned or patented by any one party. These colors are woven into the region’s history, echoing across traditions, crafts, and national symbols.

 

What I happen to have is AI and a true Khmer color palette, so a quick generative redesign is always possible—just take a close look at the faces involved.
But it doesn’t give me the right feel.
The technology is powerful, but there’s a depth to authenticity and identity that goes beyond simply arranging the “correct” colors or features. Legacy, memory, and genuine connection aren’t so easily generated. All these ladies have very similar faces...

 

 

 

 

 

[Jedi888]

The former Khmer empire included MOST of modern day Thailand. Khmer stuff came first. Thailand came way later. So now Thai air owns color schemes of their own. Thai's really do despise Cambo. A Thai girl Im friends with was always nit picking on Cambo due to what propaganda she learned in indoctrination camp, err , i mean "school". I had to make her see the light and tone it down. 

The old border with Thailand actual went all the way to the chao praya river in bangkok! Which technically is violated now to this day. Thais will freak "oooiiii" if you talk about that!

Thais are born from the Khmer ancient empire, which spawned into later kingdoms etc. Siam, Thonburi, Ayutaya etc. This whole region is originally "khmer" Oh but dont you dare say it to a typical Thai bloke they will scoff. 

[bananafish]

They'll be bickering over the cleanliness of a piece of fruit next!

 

"I told you that pear was washed!"

[PJUK88]

Hilarious. 

[klauskunkel]

throwing in some SCB colors, just for giggles...

 

 

•  

[newbee2022]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Picture courtesy of Air Cambodia

 

Branding row ignites regional debate on originality and aviation rivalry

 

Air Cambodia is rebutting claims that it mimicked Thai Airways’ iconic look, asserting its purple-and-gold design is purely Khmer. A social media frenzy erupted after its inaugural flight from Shenzhen to Siem Reap on July 18, as Thai users criticised the striking resemblance to Thai Airways’ livery and uniforms.

 

The Cambodian national carrier dismissed the accusations unequivocally. It issued a statement denying any imitation, citing the similarities as “purely coincidental.”

 

“All components of Air Cambodia’s brand—aircraft livery, uniforms, and branding—are independently crafted in line with international intellectual property and trademark guidelines,” the airline affirmed.

 

Previously known as Cambodia Angkor Air, it rebranded to Air Cambodia Co., Ltd on January 1, symbolising a fresh start while honouring its heritage. The long-standing purple and gold palette remains, representing Cambodian identity.

 

“Air Cambodia’s branding reflects a thoughtful and culturally aware process, celebrating the kingdom’s heritage and pride,” the statement explained.

 

The airline emphasised that its distinct purple represents dignity and devotion, inspired by Khmer aesthetics and derived from Cambodia’s flag colors—blue, red, and white.

 

Adding historical depth, Air Cambodia noted that its colours and emblem trace back to Royal Air Cambodge’s 1956 design, according to the Khmer Times.

 

Facing mounting online criticism, the airline adopted a cooperative stance, advocating for civil dialogue and regional collaboration.

 

“Air Cambodia values strategic partnerships and respects fellow regional carriers,” it stated. “We aim to foster aviation growth through collaboration and cultural exchange.”

 

It also urged the public to provide feedback via official avenues, warning that viral posts “risk misinterpretation and do not capture the brand’s complete heritage context.”

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-24

 

 

Typical Thai reaction claiming everything being unique in Thailand, though being themselves the master of copying. 😂

[off road pat]

2 hours ago, jacnl2000 said:

No copycatting—just mutually shared legacy colors.

 

When it comes to broad cultural colors—like gold, purple, or red, used by national airlines drawing from shared heritage—these are not exclusive, and can’t be owned or patented by any one party. These colors are woven into the region’s history, echoing across traditions, crafts, and national symbols.

 

What I happen to have is AI and a true Khmer color palette, so a quick generative redesign is always possible—just take a close look at the faces involved.
But it doesn’t give me the right feel.
The technology is powerful, but there’s a depth to authenticity and identity that goes beyond simply arranging the “correct” colors or features. Legacy, memory, and genuine connection aren’t so easily generated. All these ladies have very similar faces...

 

 

 

 

 

Well done !!

[lordgrinz]

The least of their problems, they just started war about an hour ago.

[hotchilli]

10 hours ago, BayArea said:

The row between Thai and Khmer is getting out of hand. Next thing you know, both will argue who has the best massage. oops, did I just go there??🤣

Yep you went there...

[PETERTHEEATER]

The dissident third from left in the OP image is sending a hand signal of non-conformity.

[Burma Bill]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

Previously known as Cambodia Angkor Air, it rebranded to Air Cambodia Co., Ltd

 

At least this airline never entered bankruptcy!

[chilli42]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

its distinct purple represents dignity and devotion, inspired by Khmer aesthetics and derived from Cambodia’s flag colors—blue, red, and white.

Oh, OK now I understand. The blue, red and white lead one to immediately think of purple.  If I was looking to “borrow” the brand equity of another airline I would be  mighty tempted to copy Singapore Airlines. That said, I have always admired the aesthetics of Thai Airways livery (from a distance).

[songhklasid]

Chinese are teaching them well, very blatant, copy Thai airways . 

[decca60]

Looks like the battle of two skinheads for a comb....

[BangkokReady]

5 hours ago, Jedi888 said:

The former Khmer empire included MOST of modern day Thailand. Khmer stuff came first. Thailand came way later.

 

That seems to be the case.  Thais know this so they absolutely hate Cambodia and try to reenforce the idea that everything is Thai whenever they can.

[KannikaP]

2 hours ago, chilli42 said:

The blue, red and white lead one to immediately think of purple.

As you do on seeing the UK flag, the French, the Dutch and several others, oh yes, USA!

[Cameroni]

Absolutely blatant copying of Thai Airways.

 

These Cambodians are insolent and shameless. Thankfully our glorious Thai army will teach these impostors a lesson they won't forget.

 

Release the Gripen!!!

[kimamey]

13 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Thailand forget it in fact Khmer based.. And  now they pretend to have a claim that everything is original Thai based, but Thailand was built from 7 small kingdoms that conquered land from the Khmer...But if there are no problems Thailand will always find one

The hub of finding problems.

[kimamey]

14 hours ago, Enoon said:

This photo dated 15 years ago ("Cambodia Angkor Air") and it's now become a problem?:

 

 

https://abpic.co.uk/pictures/operator/Cambodia Angkor Air xBOxK6 xSx VAV%2C KHVxBCx

 

 

 

I have to say if you asked me that picture my first reaction would be that it's Thai Airways, but that's because I see a lot of them.  It seems Cambodia was using this colour scheme some time ago. 

 

I don't know that it was copied but Krungthai Bank's logo looks remarkably like Barclays Bank.

[BayArea]

8 hours ago, Jedi888 said:

A Thai girl Im friends with was always nit picking on Cambo due to what propaganda she learned in indoctrination camp, err , i mean "school". I had to make her see the light and tone it down. 

This is 100% correct!! My Thai wife who is one of the sweetest and caring person I know is a completely different animal when anything regarding Khmer people, food, and culture. 

I don't think she has anything nice to say about Khmer other than she believes they took everything from Thai and add no value of their own to the region. 

It's quite alarming with her extreme prejudice. 

[Look Chang]

On 7/24/2025 at 9:00 AM, Artisi said:

Come on now, don't you know that Thailand is and has always been the world's hub of everything. 

Yup 

[Sydebolle]

Khmer were here LONG LONG before Thailand, Siam or anything else.

The colour is inspired from an orchid which comes in purple. The orchid is styled in the logo of Thai Airways International, as we know.

Thai Airways (TH/TAC)itself was a tiny little Micky Mouse carrier with a tail logo of a styled lotus leaf until Scandinavian Airline System (SAS/SK) came along and founded Thai Airways International (TH/THA); possibly one of the most successful joint-ventures between Thailand and a Farang partner ever. 
In the late 80s TG was much, much bigger than the "Thai Joint-Venture-Partner" TH. TH operated the domestic network, TG did the rest. The merger was concluded +/- 1988 into TG and TH disappeared (together with the double board, double head office and double everything)!  

So all those accusations are nonsense and serve only one purpose; to make Cambodia look inferior, copycat and incompetent. Never compare your superiority by down taking/downgrading your opponent. 

Thailand, it is high time to grow up, become a serious, professional partner on the world stage in almost all aspects and stop behaving like a little kindergartener throwing a tantrum because there is no ice cream today! 

Those creeps splurging such stupid nonsense make Thailand really look imbecile which it is not! 

The enclosed map, ©public domain, shows the moving of political borders depending on power and timing. 
 

[lapamita]

Quote

i

it is a tradional khmer colour , standing for loyality and faith ,  and not aquierd soly by thai.

google not list purple as tradional thai colour ..info google and wikpedia