The theatre of ASEAN hit the riverfront yesterday when a brawl erupted between activist Theary Seng, her troupe of loyal followers and various regiments of police.

Seng had staged her now-infamous routine, setting up dart boards adorned with the faces of alleged Khmer Rouge killers, as well as that of former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger, on the day preceding US President Barack Obama’s precedent-setting arrival — and police weren’t amused.

Fisticuffs broke out after Seng was manhandled by police as she attempted to seize back the dart boards, which had been promptly removed by officers.

At least one member of the crowd traded blows with a police official.

“I do not need permission. I do not need the authority of the government to play a game of darts on the riverfront,” Seng said.

“I think it’s the high tension of the Obama visit. I think everyone is on edge; they really are such control freaks.”

Officials at the scene declined to comment.

To contact the reporter on this story: David Boyle at [email protected]

Khouth Sophak Chakrya at [email protected]