Security tightened as US envoy arrives to give lecture
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Security in Chiang Mai was strengthened on Wednesday as Thai Muslims protested in front of US Consulate General Office in the province against a controversial US film and at the university where US Ambassador Kristie Kenney's is scheduled to lecture on th
Hundreds of police were deployed at the Consulate office and at Chiang Mai University’s Political Science faculty where Kenney is scheduled to arrive in the afternoon.
Today’s demonstration followed a peaceful protest at the US Embassy in Bangkok against the US government over an anti-Islam film on Tuesday. About 400 Muslims gathered and waved placards reading “Destroy America!” A spokesman who claimed the demonstrators came from all over Thailand, said they did not want any violence.
The film; “Innocence of Muslim,” is an amateurish production that was posted on the video-sharing website YouTube.
In Chiang Mai, about 20 Thai Muslims gathered in front of the office at 9.45am. They waved placards reading,” we want to condemn the US for its supports in insulting our prophet.” They said they wanted the producer of the film to be punished.
One of their leaders read a statement condemning all parties involved in the film. They also submitted the petition to Kenney through an embassy representative. Initially they argued because the US office would allow only one representative to enter the premises. The problem was settled when the office sent out a representative to receive the petition.
