PREAH VIHEAR: A Khmer language teacher from Preah Vihear is in hot water after a video showed him preparing local food on a chopping board, with the Cambodian flag wedged underneath it.

The teacher from Chey Sen Secondary School in Preah Vihear province made a video lesson on how to cook prahok, a fermented fish dish, in a rural style. During the lesson, he appears to be using the Cambodian flag as leverage for an uneven chopping board. The video attracted many viewers and public criticism for his perceived disrespect of the flag.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, Ros Soveacha, confirmed to EAC News that the department is investigating the case.

Director of the Preah Vihear Department of Education, Cheng Lim Hean, said the teacher’s actions were unacceptable and summoned him in for questioning and to sign a statement. He said that even when the flag is old or obsolete; it must be folded and stored.

He told EAC News that he requested the district education office to call the teacher in for questioning and make him sign a contract that he would no longer insult the Khmer nation with such actions. He added that the flag represents the Khmer soul and identity.

He said, "When the flag is old, stop using it; whether it is torn or not, please fold it [and store it] in a cupboard. Do not use it to wipe tables and chairs, because that is the national identity, a symbol of the soul of the nation. It is officially recognized and almost worshiped."