29 January 2003

Thai Embassy torched in Phnom Penh

Thousands of Cambodian ‘students’ set fire to the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh and rioted elsewhere in the city after it was publicised that Thai actress Suvanant ‘Kob’ Kongying had suggested that Cambodia’s ancient temple, Angkor Wat, belonged to Thailand.

Mobs torched the Thai flag, embassy vehicles and furniture, plus three Thai-owned hotels. The Thai ambassador had to flee for his life: a situation almost unheard of in the annals of world diplomatic history.

The incident soured relations between the two nations. Thailand recalled its ambassador from Phnom Penh, and ordered Cambodia’s ambassador in Bangkok to leave. Border checkpoints were closed, all joint projects on technical and economic cooperation were suspended, and Thai Airways cancelled all flights to Cambodia. It was widely suggested that forces within the Cambodian government had orchestrated the mobs, to whip up nationalist sentiment in what was an election year. The Thai Embassy remained shut until February 2004.

29 January 2003

Thai Embassy torched in Phnom Penh

Thousands of Cambodian ‘students’ set fire to the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh and rioted elsewhere in the city after it was publicised that Thai actress Suvanant ‘Kob’ Kongying had suggested that Cambodia’s ancient temple, Angkor Wat, belonged to Thailand.

Mobs torched the Thai flag, embassy vehicles and furniture, plus three Thai-owned hotels. The Thai ambassador had to flee for his life: a situation almost unheard of in the annals of world diplomatic history.

The incident soured relations between the two nations. Thailand recalled its ambassador from Phnom Penh, and ordered Cambodia’s ambassador in Bangkok to leave. Border checkpoints were closed, all joint projects on technical and economic cooperation were suspended, and Thai Airways cancelled all flights to Cambodia. It was widely suggested that forces within the Cambodian government had orchestrated the mobs, to whip up nationalist sentiment in what was an election year. The Thai Embassy remained shut until February 2004.