Cambodia and Thailand continue border clashes for the fourth day

[News_Editor]

Cambodia and Thailand continue border clashes for the fourth day

2011-04-26 00:19:39 GMT+7 (ICT)

BANGKOK, THAILAND (BNO NEWS) -- Cambodia and Thailand on Monday continued border clashes for the fourth day over territory dispute near the Preah Vihear temple, the Bangkok Post reported.

At about 10:00 a.m. local time, clashes erupted near the Ta Muen Thom temple in Thailand's eastern Surin province. As a result of the gunfight, about 25,000 residents were evacuated.

Cambodian and Thai forces engaged in heavy fire exchange in Phanom Dong Rak district which included machinegun and mortar fire. Since Friday, five Thai soldiers have been killed and 25 more injured.

On the other hand, six Cambodian soldiers have been shot dead, three on Friday and the other over the weekend. The clashes continued for a fourth day despite the United Nations call for ceasing hostilities.

On Sunday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on Thailand and Cambodia to declare a ceasefire. He remarked that the dispute cannot be resolved by military means but by diplomatic negotiations.

On Saturday, Cambodia accused Thailand of using chemical weapons against Cambodian troops in the fighting, but Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya denied the claims and called on Cambodia to enter talks.

"We have never experienced a war like this and there have never been bombs dropped in this area," Cambodian village chief Oun Vy said on Sunday. "There should not be fighting around here because it’s a civilian area and the people are unarmed."

Thailand's National army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said that the government is currently discussing whether or not to go to war with Cambodia over the disputed border.

"The army has the responsibility to protect Thailand's sovereignty," said Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban. "If Cambodian troops use heavy weapons, the Thai side will respond in kind."

Both Cambodia and Thailand claim the 4.6 square kilometer area near the ancient Preah Vihear temple on their shared border. Cambodia requested Indonesian observers to mediate in the conflict but Thailand denied.

Tensions first escalated between the two countries in July 2008 following the build-up of military forces near the Preah Vihear temple. The United Nations Security Council urged both sides to establish a permanent ceasefire after at least 10 people were killed.

Clashes resumed in February as both nations claim the lands surrounding the ancient Hindu Temple, which has been damaged due to the conflict. The Preah Vihear temple dates back to the 11th century and is located on the Cambodian side of the border.

In 2008, it was inscribed on the World Heritage List in recognition of its outstanding universal value. It is considered an outstanding example of Khmer architecture and consists of a complex of sanctuaries linked by pavements and staircases on an 800-metre-long axis.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-04-26

[coma]

Thailand's National army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said that the government is currently discussing whether or not to go to war with Cambodia over the disputed border.

Are these guys serious ?