Fresh clashes on Thai-Cambodian border "breach of UN ceasefire"

Monsters and critics
Apr 22, 2011,

Phnom Penh (DPA) - The Cambodian government said Friday that Thai troops had launched 'unprovoked attacks' on its soldiers, marking the first clashes between the two neighbours since February.

Cambodian government spokesman Phay Siphan said an unknown number of Thai troops had entered Cambodian territory in the north-west province of Oddar Meanchey early Friday morning around a temple known as Ta Krabei.

There was no news on casualties, but Phay Siphan said fighting was ongoing and had now spread to another temple called Ta Moan Thom (pictured).

'This is a breach of the permanent ceasefire (called for by the) United Nations Security Council,' Phay Siphan said.

Thai and Cambodian troops clashed February 4-7 around the vicinity of Preah Vihear temple, a World Heritage site around 200 kilometres from Ta Krabei, killing at least 10 people.

Indonesia has offered to send monitors to the disputed area near Preah Vihear temple, a move Cambodia welcomed.

Phay Siphan said the situation at Preah Vihear temple early Friday was stable.

The United Nations and the regional Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc have called on both sides to find a peaceful solution to the conflict.

ASEAN has taken the reins in mediating negotiations, but discussions held in Indonesia, the current chair of the bloc, earlier this month failed to resolve the situation.

The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that the flashpoint temple of Preah Vihear belonged to Cambodia but stopped short of determining the border demarcation in the contested area.

Both countries claim a 4.6-square-kilometre plot of land near the temple, which has been included under Cambodia's management plan for UNESCO's World Heritage Committee.

Since July 2008 both Cambodia and Thailand have beefed up their forces near Preah Vihear temple, 450 kilometres north-east of Bangkok, leading to several border skirmishes.