Bangkok, Jan 30: Military jets from Thailand today evacuated hundreds of countrymen from Cambodia, a day after the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh was torched during violent anti-Thai protests in the neighbouring country.

The riots were sparked by alleged remarks by a Thai TV star that Cambodia's famous Angkor Wat temple belonged to Thailand. The actress, Suwanan Khongying, has denied making any such comment. Officials here said that 511 Thais, including residents, visitors and Thai embassy officials were brought back by four C-130 planes sent to Cambodia, while another plane returned with the commandoes despatched to provide support. One Thai person was still missing, officials said, while some media reports said a Thai hotel worker is believed to have been killed during the riots.

Protesters burned tyres, damaged Thai-owned business establishments, including three hotels, and a mob set afire a section of Thai embassy during yesterday's rioting. Twenty vehicles in the embassy compound were destroyed, reports said.

The unrest triggered one of the worst diplomatic crisis between the neighbours with Thailand calling back its ambassador in Phnom Penh. The Cambodian ambassador in Bangkok was today given a protest letter and asked to leave.
Bureau Report