Cambodian spokesman: At least 80 Thai troops with arms enter border area of Cambodia

A Cambodian soldiers guarding the surrendered Thai soldiers during the fighting on 15th October, 2008 at Veal Intry.

PHNOM PENH, March 25 (Xinhua) -- At least 80 Thai troops entered the Cambodian territory near the 110-year-old Preah Vihear temple, spokesman of the Council of Ministers said here on Wednesday.

They arrived in our land about 01:40 p.m. (0640 GMT), with weapons in their hands, Phay Siphan told Xinhua by phone.

"Our army commanders have been discussing with them to ask them to go back to their own lands," said the spokesman, who is also secretary of state at the Council of Ministers.

There was no fighting so far, but both sides were on alert, he said.

The area they entered was called Veal Intry, about 900 meters to the northwest of the Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, he added.

Thai soldiers once trespassed this area in July 2008 and exchanged fire with the Cambodian troops, causing death and casualty on both sides.

Rounds of senior-level talks have been conducted since then to seek peaceful solution for the long-standing border issue, but resulted in no major achievements.

Editor: Xiong Tong