Hundreds of Cambodian troops were deployed to protect the Preah Vihear temple.Wed, 25 Mar 2009
DPA
Phnom Penh - Cambodia on Wednesday threatened to use military force against up to 80 Thai soldiers who reportedly entered a disputed border region and set up camp, officials said. Government spokesman Phay Siphan said Cambodian military police threatened to open fire unless the Thai soldiers retreated from the area near the ancient Preah Vihear temple site, where a fatal skirmish between Cambodia and Thailand erupted last year.
The Thai soldiers entered the area Wednesday afternoon and were immediately confronted by Cambodian military police, Phay Siphan said.
He said Cambodian military officials were negotiating with their Thai counterparts to prevent an armed confrontation.
A Cambodian military police officer who asked not to be named said hundreds of additional Thai soldiers were stationed on the other side of the border.
Both countries say the 11th-century Hindu temple falls within their borders, and the South-East Asian neighbours amassed troops along the border in July after UNESCO named the temple a World Heritage Site.
A Cambodian military police officer who asked not to be named said hundreds of additional Thai soldiers were stationed on the other side of the border.
Both countries say the 11th-century Hindu temple falls within their borders, and the South-East Asian neighbours amassed troops along the border in July after UNESCO named the temple a World Heritage Site.
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