A Cambodian solider looks across at the Thai border from the Preah Vihear temple on February 9.
By the CNN Wire Staff
April 22, 2011
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
A Thai military spokesman says the cause of the clashes is unknown
Report: Authorities are evacuating people in a nearby village
The fighting comes more than two months after clashes in another disputed border area
The U.N. Security Council has called for a cease-fire
Bangkok, Thailand (CNN) -- Four Thai soldiers were injured Friday in a new round of clashes with Cambodian troops in a disputed border region, a Thai military spokesman said.
The fighting broke out near two temples in the Phanom Dong Rak of southeastern Thailand's Surin province, Thai army spokesman Col. Sunsern Kaewkumnerd said.
Authorities were evacuating people living in a nearby village, the MCOT news agency reported.
At least 10 people were killed when renewed fighting flared up in another disputed border area between the two nations in February, prompting the U.N. Security Council to issue a statement calling on both sides to implement a permanent cease-fire and "resolve the situation peacefully and through effective dialogue."
Those clashes, which lasted four days, stemmed from a longstanding conflict related to the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple. Both Cambodia and Thailand lay claim to the temple, which sits atop a cliff on Cambodian soil but has its most accessible entrance on the Thai side.
At the time, each nation accused the other of firing first, according to a statement from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Conflict over the site has taken place periodically for years. In 1962, the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands, ruled that the site was in Cambodia, adding that the structure was "an outstanding masterpiece of Khmer architecture."
But Thailand says the 1.8-square-mile (4.7-square-kilometer) area around Preah Vihear was never fully demarcated, and blames a map drawn at the beginning of the 20th-century during the French occupation of Cambodia.
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Thailand-Cambodia border conflict heats up
stuff.co.nz
AP - Thailand and Cambodia exchanged artillery and gunfire for several hours along their disputed frontier Friday in a new flare-up of their long-running conflict. Military officials on both sides said at least four soldiers were killed.
It was the first skirmish reported since the two Southeast Asian countries battled for four straight days in February at the 11th century Preah Vihear temple, killing at least eight people.
Serm Chainarong, the governor of Thailand's Surin province where the fighting happened, said authorities there were preparing to evacuate about 5000 people.
It was unclear what sparked the violence.
Cambodian Defence Ministry spokesman Lieutenant General Chhum Socheat said the clash took place around another disputed temple in Ta Krabey, about 250km west of Preah Vihear.
Chhum said three Cambodian soldiers were killed and six wounded. He said both sides had used rocket launchers, machine guns and rifles. A front line commander also said artillery was used.
Thai Army Spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd told The Associated Press the latest skirmishes erupted after dawn. Another spokesperson, Lt. Col. Siriya Khuangsirikul, said one Thai soldier had been killed and artillery had been used.
Siriya said both sides "are in the middle of negotiating a cease-fire."
The conflict is rooted in a decades-old border dispute over ancient temples and the land surrounding them, which has fuelled nationalist passions on both sides.
Tensions between the neighbours have been exacerbated in recent months in part by pressure from powerful Thai nationalist groups, which have staged protests in Bangkok urging the government to reclaim the land.
Clashes have erupted several times since 2008, when Preah Vihear was given UN World Heritage status.
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told reporters his government was investigating the cause of the clash and said despite a pause in fighting, the situation remained volatile.
"What we would like reiterate is the position of troops of both countries are close to each other. Therefore, any movement can lead to clashes," Abhisit said.
Authorities were evacuating people living in a nearby village, the MCOT news agency reported.
At least 10 people were killed when renewed fighting flared up in another disputed border area between the two nations in February, prompting the U.N. Security Council to issue a statement calling on both sides to implement a permanent cease-fire and "resolve the situation peacefully and through effective dialogue."
Those clashes, which lasted four days, stemmed from a longstanding conflict related to the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple. Both Cambodia and Thailand lay claim to the temple, which sits atop a cliff on Cambodian soil but has its most accessible entrance on the Thai side.
At the time, each nation accused the other of firing first, according to a statement from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Conflict over the site has taken place periodically for years. In 1962, the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands, ruled that the site was in Cambodia, adding that the structure was "an outstanding masterpiece of Khmer architecture."
But Thailand says the 1.8-square-mile (4.7-square-kilometer) area around Preah Vihear was never fully demarcated, and blames a map drawn at the beginning of the 20th-century during the French occupation of Cambodia.
---------------------
Thailand-Cambodia border conflict heats up
stuff.co.nz
AP - Thailand and Cambodia exchanged artillery and gunfire for several hours along their disputed frontier Friday in a new flare-up of their long-running conflict. Military officials on both sides said at least four soldiers were killed.
It was the first skirmish reported since the two Southeast Asian countries battled for four straight days in February at the 11th century Preah Vihear temple, killing at least eight people.
Serm Chainarong, the governor of Thailand's Surin province where the fighting happened, said authorities there were preparing to evacuate about 5000 people.
It was unclear what sparked the violence.
Cambodian Defence Ministry spokesman Lieutenant General Chhum Socheat said the clash took place around another disputed temple in Ta Krabey, about 250km west of Preah Vihear.
Chhum said three Cambodian soldiers were killed and six wounded. He said both sides had used rocket launchers, machine guns and rifles. A front line commander also said artillery was used.
Thai Army Spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd told The Associated Press the latest skirmishes erupted after dawn. Another spokesperson, Lt. Col. Siriya Khuangsirikul, said one Thai soldier had been killed and artillery had been used.
Siriya said both sides "are in the middle of negotiating a cease-fire."
The conflict is rooted in a decades-old border dispute over ancient temples and the land surrounding them, which has fuelled nationalist passions on both sides.
Tensions between the neighbours have been exacerbated in recent months in part by pressure from powerful Thai nationalist groups, which have staged protests in Bangkok urging the government to reclaim the land.
Clashes have erupted several times since 2008, when Preah Vihear was given UN World Heritage status.
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told reporters his government was investigating the cause of the clash and said despite a pause in fighting, the situation remained volatile.
"What we would like reiterate is the position of troops of both countries are close to each other. Therefore, any movement can lead to clashes," Abhisit said.
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