Thailand cut nearly all ties with Cambodia today and evacuated hundreds of its citizens from Phnom Penh after unprecedented anti-Thai riots there.
The violence was sparked by comments allegedly made by a Thai TV soap star, who reportedly said Cambodia's famed Angkor Wat temple was stolen from Thailand.
The newspaper editor who first published the comments on January 18th today admitted his report was based on rumours and was probably wrong.
At least one Thai man is thought to have died in a fire at a Phnom Penh hotel that was torched by the mob yesterday, officials in Bangkok said.
An infuriated Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra suspended all business, cultural and other activities with Cambodia.
"We have stopped all activities with Cambodia. No Cambodian will be allowed to come to Thailand and we will bring out all Thai people out from Cambodia," he said.
"All ongoing government projects on technical and economic cooperation between the two countries are henceforth suspended," said an official. Thailand also recalled its ambassador.
Cambodian premier Hun Sen blamed "a small group of extremists" and rumour-mongers for the violence, and said relations with Thailand had reached "a level of concern". Cambodia's chief government spokesman apologised for the violence.
AP