Some 300 Thai workers return from Cambodia for fear of violence

BANGKOK, July 18 (Xinhua) -- About 300 Thai workers near Thai-Cambodian borders stopped working and returned to Thailand Friday as the disputed Preah Vihear temple issue became more volatile, according to local media.

The workers for Ch Karnchang construction firm left their heavyand light weight construction tools worth an estimate 100 million baht (3 million U.S. dollars) and crossed back to the Thai side of the border from Cambodia's Udommedchai (Ouddor Meanchey) province Friday as fear increased about possible violence stemming from the disputed temple, Thai local news network The Nation said.

The Thai workers returned to Thailand following reports that both Thailand and Cambodia have reinforced their troops at and near the temple complex.

Both countries historically laid claim to the 11th century temple, which now sits on Cambodian soil following the action of the International Court of Justice which awarded the ancient temple to Cambodia in 1962. However, the temple can practicably only be accessed from Thailand.

However, the exact demarcation of the border around the ruins remains in contention.

The security situation around the temple deteriorated after three Thais were briefly detained by Cambodian soldiers after surreptitiously crossing into the disputed border area on Tuesday. The three people were released on the same day.

Thailand first issued a warning that travel to the vicinity of the temple be avoided, but later closed off access altogether within 10 km of the temple.

Editor: Jiang Yuxia