26 March 2009

Temple tensions flare again at World Heritage site

PHNOM PENH Ã¢â¬' Tension on the border between Thailand and Cambodia appears to have reignited.

Cambodia claimed that around 100 Thai troops briefly entered Cambodian territory yesterday near the Phra Viharn temple but Thailand immediately denied it.

A Thai military spokesman said that there are only a few soldiers in the disputed area where troops from both sides have been posted since clashes in October.

"There are nearly 100 armed Thai troops - fighting troops - who violated about one kilometre into Cambodian territory," a Cambodian government spokesman claimed.

The spokesman and the Cambodian military later said the Thai troops pulled back from the area after talks between Cambodian and Thai commanders.

During the brief standoff, a Cambodian soldier stationed at the temple told AFP by telephone that the situation was "hot and all Cambodian troops are fully alert and prepared".

Tensions over the long-disputed territory flared in July last year after the 11th century temple was granted United Nations World Heritage status. Soldiers clashed in the area in October, leaving four troops dead.

Subsequent talks between Cambodia and Thailand have not led to a resolution of the dispute.