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Jan. 29, 2003. 02:45 PM |
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Comment by Thai TV star about Angkor Wat temple sparks violence PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) - Police opened fire today to disperse rioters who looted the Thai Embassy and burned a building in the compound in a violent protest sparked by an alleged slur of a national symbol by a television actress in Thailand. The rioting continued late into the night with mobs attacking Thai-owned establishments including hotels, restaurants, airline offices and a cellular phone company office. "Any place that has a Thai language sign has been attacked," said Hok Lundy, Cambodia's national police chief. A mob of about 1,000 briefly dispersed from around the embassy when police fired the shots. The protesters later regrouped and hurled stones at an estimated 200 police officers. At least four officers and a woman who appeared to be a bystander were injured by stones. It was not immediately clear if the shots caused any casualties or whether police fired at the mob or in the air. The protest was sparked by media reports that a Thai TV star claimed Cambodia had stolen the famous Angkor Wat temple from Thailand. She denied making the statement. In Bangkok, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra condemned the violence as "barbaric" and threatened to send commandos to the embassy if Cambodia failed to restore order. He said he was considering closing down the Cambodian Embassy in Thailand. Cambodians began demonstrating outside the Thai Embassy after local newspapers and radio stations reported that actress Suwanan Kongying made the comment about Angkor Wat, the sprawling temple in northern Cambodia that is the country's national symbol. Several hundred peaceful demonstrators began gathering outside the embassy, but were joined later by violent demonstrators who breached the gates, forced their way into the building and could be seen hurling curtains, chairs and documents from the windows. Later, flames were seen coming out from a section of the darkened building, but the fire died down. An annex to the embassy was set on fire and burned for hours. Fire trucks arrived but made no attempt to extinguish the fire. Deputy fire chief Sok Vannra said the mob threatened to burn the trucks if they tried to put out the fire. The mob then set off for other targets in the capital. |
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