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Gunfight on Thai-Cambodia border

by Sanjay Jha | October 15, 2008 at 03:14 am | 44 views | 1 comment | 2 recommendations

Thailand and Cambodia have been fighting centres on 1.8 square miles (4.6 sq km) of scrub near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple, which sits on a jungle-clad escarpment dividing the countries.The tension turned violent in October when one Cambodian and two Thai soldiers were wounded in an exchange of gunfire.The two sides have already held several rounds of talks on the issue, but have failed to reach a settlement.

Despite agreeing in August to reduce troop numbers, but last week Cambodia said that 500 Thai troops had massed in the area and now there are reports about a gun fight between two countries.

Thai and Cambodian soldiers have exchanged gunfire along a disputed section of their border, leaving several from both sides wounded.

The clash, near the ancient Preah Vihear temple, prompted Thailand to urge its nationals to leave Cambodia.

Tensions have been high since July, when hundreds of soldiers on both sides faced off metres apart.

Both countries claim they own the area around the temple, which recently became a Unesco World Heritage site.

Officials from both countries have said the other side fired first.

'Death zone'

There were reported to be exchanges of small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades.

A Cambodian defence ministry official said at least 10 Thai soldiers had been captured.

A Thai army spokesman said one Cambodian soldier was killed and four Thais wounded.

A Cambodian army official told the Associated Press news agency that the fighting had now stopped and commanders from both sides were trying to negotiate a ceasefire.