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Khom Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: The Term 'Khom': Etymology, History, and Nationalist Discourse

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The Term 'Khom': Etymology, History, and Nationalist Discourse Study Guide

Austroasiatic Roots and Early Meanings

The Thai term "Khom" does not originate from a Khmer language word for "king"; its etymological roots lie elsewhere.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Thai term "Khom" does not originate from a Khmer word for "king"; its etymology traces back to Austroasiatic roots.

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The Dvaravati Old Mon and Nyah Kur proto-term "*krɔɔm" did not primarily signify "king" or "ruler."

Answer: False

Explanation: The Dvaravati Old Mon and Nyah Kur proto-term "*krɔɔm" primarily signified spatial relationships like "under, below, beneath," not "king" or "ruler."

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The Proto-Katuic reconstruction associated with "*krɔɔm" does not signify "above."

Answer: False

Explanation: The Proto-Katuic reconstruction related to "*krɔɔm" signifies "underneath," not "above."

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The Austroasiatic root "*krɔɔm" is indeed believed to have originally signified a spatial relationship, such as "underneath."

Answer: True

Explanation: The Austroasiatic root "*krɔɔm" is believed to have originally signified a spatial relationship like "underneath."

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The term "Khom" is indeed derived from the Old Mon word "*krɔɔm", which signifies "underneath."

Answer: True

Explanation: The term "Khom" is derived from the Old Mon word "*krɔɔm", meaning "underneath."

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From which ancient language family does the Thai term "Khom" linguistically originate?

Answer: Austroasiatic (specifically Dvaravati Old Mon and Nyah Kur)

Explanation: The Thai term "Khom" linguistically originates from the Austroasiatic language family, specifically from Dvaravati Old Mon and Nyah Kur terms.

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What were the principal meanings conveyed by the Dvaravati Old Mon and Nyah Kur proto-term "*krɔɔm"?

Answer: "Under, below, beneath" and "under part of something"

Explanation: The proto-term "*krɔɔm" conveyed meanings related to position, such as "under, below, beneath," and "the under part of something."

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To which major language family is the root "*krɔɔm" primarily attributed?

Answer: Austroasiatic

Explanation: The root "*krɔɔm" is primarily associated with the Austroasiatic language family.

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What meaning is signified by the Proto-Katuic reconstruction related to "*krɔɔm"?

Answer: "Below"

Explanation: The Proto-Katuic reconstruction related to "*krɔɔm" signifies "below."

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Linguistic Evolution and Cognates

The term "Khom" exhibits a linguistic connection to the Bahnar language, traceable through the reconstructed proto-form "*krɔɔm".

Answer: True

Explanation: The term "Khom" is linguistically linked to the Bahnar language via the proto-form "*krɔɔm."

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The Khmu language features the term "kn(d)ruum," which is derived from the proto-form "*krɔɔm".

Answer: True

Explanation: The Khmu language includes the term "kn(d)ruum," which is indeed derived from the proto-form "*krɔɔm."

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The Mon language term derived from the proto-form "*krɔɔm" is "*krom."

Answer: True

Explanation: The Mon language term derived from "*krɔɔm" is "*krom."

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The Khmer language word "krom" did not evolve independently; it possesses a clear etymological link to the Austroasiatic root "*krɔɔm."

Answer: True

Explanation: The Khmer word "krom" is etymologically linked to the Austroasiatic root "*krɔɔm" and did not evolve independently.

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The term "gom" in Proto-Tai languages is demonstrably related to the Austroasiatic root "*krɔɔm."

Answer: False

Explanation: The term "gom" in Proto-Tai languages is related to the Austroasiatic root "*krɔɔm."

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The term "khom" in Northern Thai and Lao is etymologically traceable to the Austroasiatic root "*krɔɔm".

Answer: True

Explanation: The term "khom" as used in Northern Thai and Lao is etymologically traceable to the Austroasiatic root "*krɔɔm."

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Burmese terms such as "gywans" and "kurwaŋ" did not specifically refer to the builders of the Angkorian civilization.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Burmese terms "gywans" and "kurwaŋ" referred to the people of Siam and Cambodia respectively, not specifically to the builders of the Angkorian civilization.

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The etymological trajectory of "Khom" demonstrably involves intermediate forms such as "*kɔɔrɔɔm" and "*kɔɔnrɔɔm" prior to its diversification across various languages.

Answer: True

Explanation: The etymological path of "Khom" involves intermediate forms like "*kɔɔrɔɔm" and "*kɔɔnrɔɔm" before diversifying.

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The term "Khom" in Burmese etymology, such as "gywans", was not used to denote the people of Cambodia.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Burmese term "gywans" referred to the people of Siam, while "krwaŋ" and "krwam" referred to the people of Cambodia.

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The term "Khom" in the Khmer language is "krom", and this word evolved from proto-forms demonstrably linked to the concept of "underneath".

Answer: True

Explanation: The Khmer word "krom" evolved from proto-forms linked to the concept of "underneath."

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Within the Khmer language, the term "krom" is related to "*krɔɔm". According to the cited dictionary, what does "krom" signify?

Answer: "Under" or "below"

Explanation: According to the cited dictionary, the Khmer term "krom" signifies "under" or "below."

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Identify the Burmese terms cited in the text that were employed to designate the people of Cambodia.

Answer: krwam and krwaŋ

Explanation: The Burmese terms "krwam" and "krwaŋ" were used to refer to the people of Cambodia.

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Which of the following language groups is NOT mentioned as having terms etymologically related to the Austroasiatic root "*krɔɔm"?

Answer: Sino-Tibetan

Explanation: The Sino-Tibetan language family is not mentioned as having terms related to the Austroasiatic root "*krɔɔm."

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Which intermediate forms are noted in the evolution of "*krɔɔm" within Austroasiatic languages?

Answer: "*kɔɔrɔɔm" and "*kɔɔnrɔɔm"

Explanation: The evolution of "*krɔɔm" within Austroasiatic languages involved intermediate forms such as "*kɔɔrɔɔm" and "*kɔɔnrɔɔm."

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Which intermediate Mon term is identified as part of the etymological path connecting Burmese terms like "krwaŋ" and "krwam" to the Austroasiatic root "*krɔɔm"?

Answer: "*krom"

Explanation: The etymological path connecting Burmese terms to "*krɔɔm" involves the intermediate Mon term "*krom."

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Identify a cognate of "*krɔɔm" present in the Bahnar language.

Answer: krəm

Explanation: The term "krəm" is a cognate of "*krɔɔm" found in the Bahnar language.

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In which language family did the term "*krɔɔm" evolve into "gom"?

Answer: Tai-Kadai (specifically Proto-Tai)

Explanation: The term "*krɔɔm" evolved into "gom" within the Tai-Kadai language family, specifically in Proto-Tai.

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Historical Usage and Regional Contexts

The Thai and Lao term "Khom" exclusively denotes the ancient Khmer Empire and its associated civilization.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Thai and Lao term "Khom" did not exclusively refer to the ancient Khmer Empire and its civilization; its usage has been more complex and varied.

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The term "Khom" has historically maintained a singular, unambiguous meaning throughout its usage.

Answer: False

Explanation: The precise meaning of "Khom" has historically been unclear and subject to variation, rather than consistently maintaining a single, unambiguous definition.

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Within Northern Thai and Lao contexts, the term "Khom" did not exclusively refer to the Khmer people residing in Cambodia proper.

Answer: False

Explanation: The term "Khom" in Northern Thai and Lao contexts referred to the Mon-Khmer people of the Lower Chao Phraya River Basin during the Angkorian era, not exclusively to the Khmer people of Cambodia proper.

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The Khom Thai script is not a distinct script unrelated to the Khmer script; it is a variant.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Khom Thai script is identified as a variant of the Khmer script used within Thailand.

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The phonetic representation [kʰɔ̄m'] accurately reflects the standard pronunciation of the Thai term "Khom."

Answer: True

Explanation: The phonetic pronunciation [kʰɔ̄m'] is provided as the standard pronunciation of the Thai term "Khom."

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The term "Khmer Krom" did not historically refer to Khmer people living in northern Cambodia.

Answer: True

Explanation: The term "Khmer Krom" is identified as an ancient Thai term meaning "lowland Khmer," not specifically referring to people in northern Cambodia.

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The term "Khom" has not historically been used to refer to a single, well-defined historical period in Southeast Asia; its usage has been varied and often ambiguous.

Answer: True

Explanation: Historically, the term "Khom" has not referred to a specific, well-defined period but rather has had varied and often ambiguous usage.

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According to the source material, what is the primary referent of the Thai and Lao term "Khom"?

Answer: The people and civilization associated with the ancient Khmer Empire.

Explanation: The Thai and Lao term "Khom" primarily refers to the people and civilization connected to the ancient Khmer Empire.

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Which statement most accurately characterizes the historical consistency of the meaning attributed to the term "Khom"?

Answer: Its precise meaning has historically been unclear and varied.

Explanation: The historical usage of "Khom" demonstrates considerable ambiguity and variation in its precise meaning, rather than consistent clarity.

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From which ancient designation did Wichitwathakan adapt the term "Khom" for his nationalist purposes?

Answer: An ancient Thai term meaning "lowland Khmer" (Khmer Krom).

Explanation: Wichitwathakan adapted "Khom" from the ancient Thai designation "Khmer Krom," which signifies "lowland Khmer."

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Historically, to what did the term "khom" refer within Northern Thai and Lao contexts?

Answer: The Mon-Khmer people of the Lower Chao Phraya River Basin during the Angkorian era.

Explanation: In Northern Thai and Lao contexts, "khom" historically referred to the Mon-Khmer people of the Lower Chao Phraya River Basin during the Angkorian era.

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How is the Khom Thai script characterized within the provided text?

Answer: A variant of the Khmer script used within Thailand.

Explanation: The Khom Thai script is identified as a variant of the Khmer script that is employed in Thailand.

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The text identifies "Khmer Krom" as an ancient Thai term signifying:

Answer: "Lowland Khmer"

Explanation: The term "Khmer Krom" is identified as an ancient Thai term meaning "lowland Khmer."

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In Northern Thai and Lao contexts, the historical usage of "Khom" sometimes pertained to the Khmer period within which specific region?

Answer: Siam

Explanation: In Northern Thai and Lao contexts, "Khom" sometimes referred to the Khmer period in Siam.

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What phonetic representation of the Thai term "Khom" is provided in the text?

Answer: /kʰɔ̄m'/

Explanation: The phonetic representation provided for the Thai term "Khom" is [kʰɔ̄m'].

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20th Century Thai Nationalist Discourse

Since the advent of the 20th century, "Khom" has been strategically employed within Thai nationalist discourse, not primarily to foster historical understanding or cultural exchange with Cambodia, but rather for other purposes.

Answer: True

Explanation: Since the 20th century, "Khom" has been utilized in Thai nationalist discourse primarily for historical negationism and to disconnect the Angkorian civilization from contemporary Khmer people, rather than to promote cultural exchange.

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Luang Wichitwathakan posited that contemporary Khmer populations are the direct ethnic descendants of the architects of the Angkorian civilization.

Answer: False

Explanation: Luang Wichitwathakan argued the contrary: that contemporary Khmers were ethnically unrelated to the builders of the Angkorian civilization.

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The nationalist appropriation of the term "Khom" within Thailand was strategically employed to sever the perceived historical and ethnic linkage between the Angkorian civilization and the contemporary Khmer populace.

Answer: True

Explanation: The nationalist use of "Khom" was indeed aimed at disconnecting the historical Angkorian civilization from the contemporary Khmer people.

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Luang Wichitwathakan did indeed repurpose the term "Khom" to construct a distinct ethnic identity, deliberately separating it from the Angkorian civilization.

Answer: True

Explanation: Luang Wichitwathakan repurposed the term "Khom" to create a distinct ethnic identity separate from the Angkorian civilization.

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The term "Khom" has been employed in Thai historiography not to link modern Khmer populations to the Angkorian civilization, but rather to disconnect them.

Answer: True

Explanation: Contrary to linking modern Khmers to Angkor, the term "Khom" has been used in Thai historiography to attempt to disconnect them.

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The term "Khom" within the context of Thai nationalist discourse is associated with fostering negative sentiment and historical negationism, rather than promoting positive relations between Thailand and Cambodia.

Answer: True

Explanation: The use of "Khom" in Thai nationalist discourse is linked to historical negationism and anti-Khmer sentiment, not the promotion of positive relations.

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The nationalist agenda involving the term "Khom" sought to establish ethnic discontinuity, not continuity, between Angkor and modern Cambodia.

Answer: True

Explanation: The nationalist agenda sought to establish ethnic discontinuity between Angkor and modern Cambodia, not continuity.

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How has the term "Khom" been strategically utilized within 20th-century Thai nationalist discourse?

Answer: To foster anti-Khmer sentiment and engage in historical negationism.

Explanation: In the 20th century, "Khom" was strategically used in Thai nationalist discourse to promote anti-Khmer sentiment and practice historical negationism.

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What was the principal objective underpinning the utilization of the term "Khom" in 20th-century Thai historiography?

Answer: To disconnect the historical Angkorian civilization from the contemporary Khmer people.

Explanation: The primary objective was to disconnect the historical Angkorian civilization from the contemporary Khmer people.

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Identify the key figure instrumental in popularizing the use of "Khom" within Thai nationalist discourse for the purpose of demarcating Angkor from modern Cambodia.

Answer: A 20th-century Thai nationalist thinker named Luang Wichitwathakan.

Explanation: Luang Wichitwathakan, a 20th-century Thai nationalist thinker, was a key figure in popularizing this usage of "Khom."

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What specific, inaccurate assertion did Luang Wichitwathakan advance concerning contemporary Khmer populations in relation to the Angkorian civilization?

Answer: That they were ethnically unrelated to the builders of the Angkorian civilization.

Explanation: Luang Wichitwathakan inaccurately asserted that contemporary Khmers were ethnically unrelated to the builders of the Angkorian civilization.

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The application of "Khom" within Thai nationalist discourse is characterized as a form of:

Answer: Historical negationism

Explanation: The use of "Khom" in Thai nationalist discourse is described as a form of historical negationism.

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What narrative does the nationalist interpretation of "Khom" aim to construct?

Answer: The builders of Angkor were ethnically distinct from modern Cambodians.

Explanation: The nationalist interpretation of "Khom" aims to construct a narrative suggesting the builders of Angkor were ethnically distinct from modern Cambodians.

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What was the intended influence of Luang Wichitwathakan's adaptation of "Khom" on the perception of Angkor and Cambodia?

Answer: To emphasize a lack of ethnic continuity between Angkor and Cambodia.

Explanation: Luang Wichitwathakan's adaptation of "Khom" aimed to emphasize a lack of ethnic continuity between Angkor and Cambodia.

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In the context of historical negationism, as described in the text, what does the utilization of the term "Khom" entail?

Answer: Distorting or denying historical facts about ethnic continuity.

Explanation: The use of "Khom" in historical negationism involves distorting or denying facts about ethnic continuity.

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Ethnic Continuity and Nationalist Narratives

A contributing factor to the Thai nationalist endeavor to disassociate the Angkorian civilization from contemporary Khmer peoples is the underlying belief that present-day Cambodians constitute an ethnically inferior group.

Answer: True

Explanation: The belief that present-day Cambodians are an inferior race is cited as a factor contributing to the Thai nationalist effort to disassociate them from the Angkorian civilization.

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The provided text offers evidence that contradicts, rather than supports, the notion of ethnic discontinuity between the builders of Angkor and present-day Khmer populations.

Answer: True

Explanation: The text explicitly states that ethnic continuity between Angkor's builders and present-day Khmers is well-established, contradicting claims of discontinuity.

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Archaeological evidence situated within present-day Thailand robustly supports the presence and influence of the Angkorian civilization.

Answer: True

Explanation: Numerous archaeological sites in present-day Thailand are linked to the Angkorian civilization, contradicting claims of its absence.

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The text suggests the opposite: that the ethnic continuity between Angkor's builders and modern Khmers is well-established and scientifically supported, contrary to nationalist claims.

Answer: True

Explanation: The text asserts that ethnic continuity between Angkor's builders and modern Khmers is well-established, directly contradicting claims of discontinuity.

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The nationalist discourse surrounding "Khom" does not suggest that modern Cambodians are ethnically superior to the builders of Angkor; rather, it often implies the opposite or a distinct lack of relation.

Answer: True

Explanation: The nationalist discourse surrounding "Khom" does not suggest modern Cambodians are ethnically superior; it often implies inferiority or ethnic separation from Angkor's builders.

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The term "Khom" has indeed been utilized to deny historical facts pertaining to ethnic continuity.

Answer: True

Explanation: The term "Khom" has been used in a manner that denies historical facts regarding ethnic continuity.

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What does the text assert regarding the ethnic continuity between the builders of Angkor and contemporary Khmer populations?

Answer: It is well-established and contradicts nationalist claims.

Explanation: The text explicitly states that ethnic continuity between Angkor's builders and present-day Khmers is well-established, directly contradicting nationalist assertions.

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A belief that present-day Cambodians are [characteristic] fuels the nationalist utilization of "Khom."

Answer: An inferior race not ethnically linked to Angkor's builders.

Explanation: The nationalist use of "Khom" is fueled by a belief that present-day Cambodians are an inferior race, distinct from Angkor's builders.

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To which civilization are numerous archaeological sites located in present-day Thailand demonstrably linked?

Answer: The Angkorian civilization

Explanation: Numerous archaeological sites in present-day Thailand are linked to the Angkorian civilization.

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What does the citation from "The Nation" newspaper reveal concerning common Thai perceptions of "Khom" in contrast to "Khmer"?

Answer: That Thais often perceive "Khom" as extinct Angkorian builders and "Khmer" as modern Cambodians, distinct peoples.

Explanation: The citation highlights a common Thai perception that "Khom" refers to the extinct builders of Angkor, while "Khmer" refers to modern Cambodians, implying a distinction.

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By what mechanism has the term "Khom" been employed to foster "anti-Khmer sentiment"?

Answer: Creating a perceived historical and ethnic divide between Angkor's builders and modern Khmers.

Explanation: The term "Khom" has been used to foster "anti-Khmer sentiment" by creating a perceived historical and ethnic divide between Angkor's builders and modern Khmers.

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What is the stated relationship between the term "Khom" and the concept of an "inferior race" within the text?

Answer: The term is linked to nationalist beliefs portraying present-day Cambodians as an inferior race compared to Angkor's builders.

Explanation: The term "Khom" is linked to nationalist beliefs that portray present-day Cambodians as an inferior race compared to Angkor's builders.

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Considering the reference to "Thailand's Khmer as 'invisible minority'" in citation [2], what broader discourse might the term "Khom" be part of?

Answer: The identity and status of Khmer populations within Thailand.

Explanation: The reference to "Thailand's Khmer as 'invisible minority'" suggests that the term "Khom" may be part of a discourse concerning the identity and status of Khmer populations within Thailand.

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