Thai actress in hiding over alleged comments

The Thai actress at the centre of the row that has led to anti-Thai riots in Cambodia has gone into hiding with relatives in Bangkok.

Thailand cut virtually all ties with Cambodia today and evacuated hundreds of its terrified citizens from Phnom Penh after unprecedented there.

The violence was sparked by comments allegedly made by the Thai TV soap star, who reportedly said Cambodia’s famed Angkor Wat temple was stolen from Thailand.

Suwanan Kongying “is very stressed, but as an actress, she said the show much go on,” said her spokesman. “She is shocked at what happened, and so sorry for the Thai people.”

She will continue shooting the TV comedy series Hey, You Lady he added.

Suwanan, a 24-year-old communications graduate and champion ice skater, denies making the comments about the temple.

She believes the controversy may have arisen from the dialogue of a character she played several years ago.

“Everybody is puzzled as to why she became victim of this rumour that resulted in such tensions,” her spokesman said.