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NEWS - Thais Seek Info on Missing



Subject: NEWS -  Thais Seek Info on Missing Princess

Thais Seek Info on Missing Princess

 .c The Associated Press

  BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) - Thailand has offered to help Myanmar restore
an
ancient palace in exchange for information about a Thai princess taken
hostage four centuries ago, The Nation newspaper said Saturday.

Princess Suphankalaya, who was held hostage in the palace by a Myanmar
king,
has become a cult figure in economically strained Thailand, where she is
regarded as a symbol of suffering and sacrifice. A big-budget movie is
even
being made about her life.

Suphankalaya, a sister of Thai King Naresuan, is believed to have been
taken
hostage by Myanmar King Bayinnaung when he invaded what is now Thailand
in
1569.

Although little is known about her life, some Thais believe the
princess
gave up her freedom in exchange for her kingdom's independence from
Myanmar,
also known as Burma.

Deputy Education Minister Somsak Prissanananthakul told the newspaper a
team
of Thai officials would help restore the palace where the king lived. In
exchange for the free work, they expected to gain access to information
about
the princess.

AP-NY-07-03-99 1114EDT