Simple hand gesture has two countries up in arms

Traditional Thai Dancer's Hand Photo: Getty Images

BANGKOK: Troops are withdrawing as tensions have eased between Thailand and Cambodia over the disputed ancient hill top temple, Preah Vihear. But a new irritant has emerged that is stirring nationalist sentiment in both countries: ownership of a graceful hand position that is part of traditional dance and shadow plays.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) is likely to consider the origins of the jeeb - a hand position where the thumb touches the index finger and the three other fingers are fanned out.

Thailand's new cultural minister, Sukumol Kunplome, has made ownership of the jeeb a priority.

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In 2008, Cambodia had Khmer shadow theatre included on UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, along with the Royal Ballet of Cambodia, which is also also known as Khmer Classical Dance. The list included Khmer hand gestures, including the jeeb.

Thai officials have advised Ms Sukumol that Thailand can also register the jeeb, and other shadow plays, with UNESCO. ''This is the first mission and we will proceed urgently because people are interested,'' Ms Sukumol told reporters in Bangkok.

''They are part of the Thai cultural heritage, so if another country has registered them, we have to find a solution.'' Ms Sukumol said the jeeb has been used widely to promote Thailand's culture and it would be controversial if it is branded ''Cambodian.''

To pursue its claim, Thailand will have to become a member of UNESCO's Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Meanwhile, tensions have eased over Preah Vihear after the installation last week of Thailand's six-party coalition government led by Yingluck Shinawatra, the younger sister of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is living in exile in Dubai.

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to set up a committee to discuss the Preah Vihear dispute, over which the two countries have fought each other numerous times in recent years.

Thousands of villagers were displaced by armed clashes at the temple and another disputed border zone earlier this year.

There is talk of a summit between Cambodia's Prime Minister, Hun Sen, and Ms Yingluck, possibly within weeks.